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Action on Salt

Salt and health factsheets

Evidence has shown that a number of health conditions are caused by, or exacerbated by, a high salt diet. Although the strongest evidence is for the effect that a high salt diet has on blood pressure, stroke and heart disease, there is also a wide body of evidence indicating a link between salt consumption and other conditions.

Salt has been linked to:

  • Osteoporosis
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Stomach Cancer
  • Obesity
  • Kidney Disease & Kidney Stones
  • Cardiovascular Disease (stroke, heart disease and heart failure)
  • Water retention/bloating

Salt is also thought to exacerbate the symptoms of:

  • Diabetes
  • Meniere's Disease
  • Asthma
  • Alzheimer's

Click on the links on the left to view a summary of evidence for each of the health conditions. 

Current salt intake & dietary advice
Almost everyone in the UK (and the rest of the Western world) eats too much salt. The daily recommended amount in the UK is no more than 6 grams a day; the current average salt intake is 8.1g salt a day although many people are eating more than this. People with or considered at risk of high blood pressure should take extra care to ensure that they keep their salt intake below the recommended maximum of 6g. This can be achieved by simple changes, such as consuming less processed foods and checking product labels before purchase.

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