Aussies overdosing on salt
Australian researchers have shown overweight and obese people with type 2 diabetes are eating dangerously high levels of salt – or more than double what they should for good health.
Presenting his research at the Dietitians Association of Australia’s National Conference in Adelaide this week, researcher Anthony Villani said 93 per cent of men and 88 per cent of women in his study ate more than the national target of 6g of salt a day or less.
Mr Villani from Flinders University and Associate Professor Jennifer Keogh from the University of South Australia monitored the diets of 88 overweight and obese adults with type 2 diabetes over a four-day period.
‘People with type 2 diabetes, especially men, are either not receiving or not following advice to cut back on salt. This can lead to serious health problems in a group of people who are already at a higher risk of poor health,’ said Mr Villani.
Eating too much salt is a known cause of high blood pressure, which in turn is a risk factor for heart and kidney diseases.
Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council recommends adults eat no more than 6g of salt a day. This drops to even less (4g a day) to ward off chronic disease – and just one of the 88 participants in Mr Villani’s study achieved this.
‘People with type 2 diabetes are at a higher risk of health problems simply by having diabetes, and a high salt intake is just adding to the risk,’ said Mr Villani.
He found breads and cereals were the biggest dietary contributors to salt intake, making up 23 per cent of intake. Processed meats (15%), spreads (7%) and fast food and take-aways (7%) were the next highest contributors.
Claire Hewat, CEO of the Dietitians Association of Australia, said reducing the sodium content of breads and cereals could potentially reduce population salt intake closer to health authority recommendations.
‘We’re pleased the Government has started to work with food manufacturers and retailers to cut salt levels across a variety of foods, including bread and breakfast cereals. But there’s still a way to go,’ said Ms Hewat.
At an individual level, she said limiting processed foods was the best way for people to cut back on salt.