How much salt is actually needed?

Less salt? Yes, please: scientists recommend reduction

The message is often read: "Eat less salt". But who knows how much salt you consume on average? There is definitely a discrepancy between the recommended intake and the actual one. As a guide is a salt intake for adults of up to 6 grams per day. But the fact is that in Germany half of the men take in more than 10 grams of salt a day, and a quarter even more than 15 grams. For women, the values ​​are slightly lower.

This is indicated by the Max Rubner Institute. There is clear scientific evidence that high salt intake is associated with increased blood pressure. Hypertension is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. A reduction in salt intake can reduce this risk. Therefore, the Max-Rubner-Institut agrees with the recommendations of the German Nutrition Society to participate in national and international initiatives for the population-wide reduction of table salt intake.

The reason for this clear message is a recent study, which confirms the negative consequences of a high salt intake, but comes to a controversial conclusion. The so-called PURE study, which evaluated data from just under 100,000 participants, concludes that a reduction in table salt intake is only recommended in those countries that have a very high salt intake of 13 grams or more. However, the recommendation contradicts the Max Rubner Institute (MRI).

The conclusion is also surprising because the study reports an association between low salt intake (defined as less than 11 grams / day) and the increased risk of heart attack. In Germany, the salt intake is predominantly in this "little" defined area. In addition, the MRI also criticizes the structure and procedure of the study. For example, the method for determining the salt intake was erroneous in 75% of the samples.

Accordingly, the MRI sees no reason to deviate from the development of a national strategy for the reduction of salt in Germany. Harald Seitz, bzfe