Salt is one of the essential ingredients in Indian food habits, it is composed of two forms of minerals: sodium and chlorine. Salt is vital for foods as it adds to the taste of food. It is also responsible for preserving the longevity of foods. However, salt consumption may be restricted under certain health conditions. This includes increased blood pressure, stroke, and damage to the kidneys. Many salt exporters in Gandhidham supply and distribute salt to various parts of the country. They also export salt internationally. This salt is utilized not only for consumption but also for other industrial purposes.
The role of salt in Indian history is profound. This ranges from the past till the present day. From the Dandi March initiated by Mahatma Gandhi up to the fortification of salt with micronutrients, its role has been undeniable. However, it has been found that Indians’ consumption of salt is higher than the recommended intake level stated by the WHO. Therefore, India has committed to a 30% reduction in salt intake by 2025.
Public health significance of salt in India
Salt is used as a vehicle for fortifying micronutrients since all households in India consume it. This is irrespective of their economic status. There is minimal variation in this trend. In India, the first fortification of the mineral iodine was done to control the incidence of iodine deficiency goiter. Also, it was intended to prevent delayed development of the brain and the learning and cognitive abilities of children. The prophylaxis program of iodine fortification through common salt has been one of the successful programs of the Indian government on the public health level.
Besides iodine, the government has also started fortifying common salt with iron. Around 0.8-1.1 grams of iron is added to common salt, and to make it effective, salt consumption should be 10 grams daily. This contradicts the WHO’s daily recommendation for salt. Therefore, the suggested amount of iodine fortification should be limited and adjusted depending on the population’s salt intake. This shall indicate the policies of reducing the disorder of iodine deficiency along with the reduction of sodium being compatible. However, there needs to be compatibility between the two programs.
Sodium intake by the Indian population
An increase in blood pressure due to increased salt intake is a prime reason that predisposes people to conditions of heart diseases. Salt also helps maintain the body’s balance of fluids.
The WHO, the ICMR-NIN, and the “National Program for Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) recommend less than 5 grams of salt consumption daily. Some surveys have revealed that Indians consume around 8-11 grams of salt daily. This is twice the recommended intake level and is an astounding fact. There are three primary sources of salt exporters in the dietary intake of Indians:
- Salt is added during cooking or eaten during meals by taking salt separately.
- Excessive salt is added to foods prepared outside the home, such as restaurants and street foods. Foods served by government organizations add salt to food without considering intake levels much.
- Packaged and processed foods such as pickles, jellies, instant noodles, frozen foods, or savory snacks.
From various survey data, it has been revealed that adding salt during cooking is responsible for 80% of the consumption of salt by adults. However, provided that India has a diverse culture of food habits, the sources might vary from region to region. For example, in the states of Ladakh, Kashmir, and Assam, salt is added to tea as well. This is also a primary source of sodium intake for people in those regions. You can easily get it from Gurave Salt, the best salt exporters in India.
Conclusion
It can be concluded that salt is an essential part of Indians’ diet. However, some negative impacts are posed on the population due to excessive consumption. Hence, strategies to address the increasing burden of hypertension and several other diseases should be scaled up with priority. We are one of the renowned salt manufacturers in Kutch that provides common salt to various parts of the country in the purest form. We ensure the addition of taste to the life of our clients with care. Therefore, you can order various types of salt from us within affordable budgets.
