This brief article will highlight the countries leading in salt intake and their dietary patterns. If you want details into how salt consumption is viewed from a health perspective, read 12 Countries That Consume the Most Salt.
5. Romania
Per Capita Salt Consumption: 12.9 grams per day
In Romania, a significant portion of the adult population struggles with obesity: 23.7% of women and 26.3% of men. Furthermore, diabetes affects 7.0% of adult women and 8.5% of adult men. Therefore, the country has made notable progress in meeting targets related to diet-induced non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Its strategy for managing salt intake involves legislative and policy measures, including mandatory salt iodization and a policy aimed at reducing salt/sodium consumption. Additional measures focus on limiting saturated fatty acid intake and eliminating industrially produced trans fatty acids. However, Romania lacks a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages and does not have a policy to restrict the marketing of foods and beverages high in saturated fats, trans fats, free sugars, or salt to children.
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.
3. Slovenia
Per Capita Salt Consumption: 13 grams per day
A study assessing their dietary habits found that intake of free sugars, saturated fatty acids, and sodium significantly exceeds recommended levels for people in Slovenia. Specifically, the sodium intake was more than double the upper limit set by the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization. Additionally, the adolescents’ diet was found to be deficient in polyunsaturated fatty acids, water, and several micronutrients, indicating a suboptimal dietary pattern among the youth. This pattern is likely contributing to the high salt consumption observed in Slovenia’s adult population.
2. Hungary
Per Capita Salt Consumption: 14.3 grams per day
The Hungarian Diet and Nutritional Status Survey examined the dietary preferences of the population and noted that, although there has been a decrease in salt intake compared to previous years, the levels remain extremely high, posing significant public health risks. The dietary patterns in Hungary, as outlined in the country’s food-based dietary guidelines, emphasize reducing salt intake. These guidelines specifically recommend using minimal amounts of salt, if any, and suggest seasoning foods with herbs and spices as alternatives.
1. China
Per Capita Salt Consumption: 17.7 grams per day
China’s salt consumption patterns, which are closely linked to the country’s growing hypertension problem, reflect deep-rooted dietary habits and a limited public awareness of the need for salt reduction. Efforts to educate the population and promote salt-reduction practices have been ongoing since the 1980s, including the more recent “Action on Salt China” initiative. However, the overall knowledge and implementation of salt reduction remain low, with only a small percentage of the population using salt-control spoons and low-sodium salt alternatives. In rural northern areas, dietary habits that include consuming pickles during winter due to limited vegetable availability further exacerbate the issue of high salt intake. Additionally, older individuals exhibit the lowest levels of knowledge and practice regarding salt reduction, potentially due to age-related cognitive decline.
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