Salt kills almost six times more Victorians than road accidents, VicHealth says

Charlie, 4, gives salt the flick. Picture: Alex Coppel 

 

SLASHING the amount of salt each Victorian consumes by just half a teaspoon a day could help save 800 lives statewide and shave $50 million a year off the health bill. 

Almost six times more Victorians die as a result of high salt intake than on the roads, a staggering statistic that needed to change, according to the state’s peak health group.

VicHealth has released a new State of Salt report aimed at helping Australia reach its commitment to reducing salt intake by 30 per cent by 2025 to meet the World Health Organisation global target.

Currently, Victorians consume on average eight grams of salt a day — which is almost two teaspoons — putting them at risk of a range of health problems.

VicHealth said a reduction of three grams a day to bring average consumption to five grams, or one teaspoon, would help reduce people’s risk of suffering stroke, heart disease and chronic kidney disease.

Its CEO, Jerril Rechter, said Victorians were eating more than 15,000 tonnes of salt a year, which equates to almost twice the upper recommended intake limit.

Charlie’s mum Alice Pryor, with sister Annabel, nine months. Picture: Alex Coppel 

 

“Almost one in 20 deaths in Victoria is attributable to salt intake,” she said.

Reducing salt intake was 200 times more cost-effective than giving people high blood pressure medication, Ms Rechter said.

VicHealth has launched a plan of action that will involve governments, the food industry, health and non-government groups working together to take steps that include increasing knowledge about invisible salt and reducing salt in food processing.

Ms Rechter said three-quarters of the salt in our diet came from processed foods.

Slashing the intake of salty foods such as processed meats, chips, packet soups, sauces, pizzas and ready-made meals, eating more fresh fruit and vegetables, taking the salt shaker off the table and using herbs, garlic and pepper to season food can all help reduce salt intake.

With a family history of high blood pressure and heart disease mother of two Alice Pryor, is fastidious about ensuring her family have low levels of salt consumption.

Ms Pryor, 30, who is also the campaign manager for the Parents’ Jury, said she does not add salt to their home-cooked meals and always reads the labelling on packaged goods.

“If you can have an option, in pasta sauce or beans, that is no added salt or reduced salt, then I go for that,” she said.

heraldsun.com.au  13 May 2015

So next time you get stopped by the police for 'speeding' and they tell you how much they care about the deaths of Victorians, tell them to do a salinity test on you.

The police NEVER cared about the road toll, but that is used as an excuse to generate revenue.

The government is NOT in business for caring to their serfs, but rather extorting as much money as possible.