5 Countries That Consume the Most Salt

4. Czech Republic 

Per Capita Salt Consumption: 13 grams per day

According to a Czech national food consumption survey, the typical Czech diet features high intakes of added sugar and sodium. The sodium intake is almost triple the recommended upper limit. In 2016, the average daily salt intake in the Czech Republic was reported to be around 15–16 grams, significantly exceeding the recommended limit of 5 grams per day and surpassing the average daily European consumption of 8–12 grams. In response, the Czech Ministry of Health identified salt intake reduction as a cost-effective way to improve population health, achieving positive results by reducing the country’s average salt consumption to 13 grams per day. Furthermore, the comprehensive HAPIEE (Health, Alcohol and Psychosocial Factors in Eastern Europe) study highlighted high intakes of saturated fats and sugars in the Czech diet, along with insufficient consumption of complex carbohydrates, pulses, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. Additionally, the study found that less than 65% of the participants consumed adequate amounts of essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. These findings highlight the challenges in dietary habits and underscore the need for more robust nutritional guidelines and public health initiatives in the Czech Republic.