Chandigarh, Jan 01st: In the world of wholesome eating, salt often receives negative attention. Excessive sodium intake is associated with various health issues. However, the salt aisle can be quite perplexing. Now, the World Health Organization (WHO) is taking a more proactive stance[1], urging individuals to swap their regular table salt for lower-sodium salt substitutes (LSSS).
The WHO estimates that a staggering 1.9 million deaths can be traced to high sodium intake annually. The organisation recommends consuming no more than 2-grams of sodium per day, a target significantly lower than the average global consumption of approximately 4.3-grams. With efforts to reduce salt intake proving to be a challenge, WHO, in 2019, renewed its 2025-target to achieve 30% reduction in sodium intake by setting a new target date and pushing it to 2030.[2]
The salty landscape, however, littered with words like ‘salt substitutes’ can surprisingly become a tad confusing. The big question being asked – ‘What is the difference?’ Understanding the answer to this is important for making informed choices about your well-being. It’s, however, important to remember that simply switching to one type of salt doesn’t automatically solve all your dietary concerns.
Lowering sodium intake with no compromise in taste
The lower-sodium salt substitute (LSSS) category is largely led by Potassium addition to Salt variants. The primary benefit is a significant decrease in the amount of sodium chloride, the active component of regular table salt, consumed daily. By replacing a portion of the sodium chloride with potassium chloride, these substitutes offer a way to enjoy salty flavours.
As mentioned above, excessive sodium intake is one of the well-established contributors to hypertension, which in turn increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. Salt substitutes (reduced sodium intake) may be helpful to individuals at risk of or already suffering from high blood pressure (hypertension) and otherwise apparently healthy. At the same time, salt substitutes are not advisable for individuals who are on a potassium-restricted diet and/or have kidney disease.
Therefore, individuals need to consult their physician based on their health condition before consuming any salt substitutes.
Understanding the difference
The fundamental difference between salt substitutes and iodised salt lies in their primary purpose: salt substitutes address sodium intake reduction, while iodised salt addresses iodine deficiency. Iodine is required for normal growth, thyroid and brain function. It is generally accepted that Iodine helps in mental development of children. Most countries are addressing the issue of iodine deficiency successfully with the cost-effective strategy of universal salt iodisation (USI) programs, adding small amounts of iodine to table salt.
Using a salt substitute, however, does not guarantee adequate iodine intake. In the same way, using iodised salt regularly doesn’t mean you can relax about your sodium intake. Both types of salt are important in maintaining optimal well-being, it’s therefore important to consult your doctor to strike a balance in your diet and salt intake.
Since its launch in 1983, Tata Salt has been instrumental in India’s fight against iodine deficiency, a public health challenge that once affected millions. As the first national branded iodised salt, Tata Salt set the standard for quality and made iodised salt accessible to households across the country. Over the years, it has become a symbol of trust and well-being, deeply ingrained in the daily lives of millions of Indian families. By ensuring that iodised salt reaches every household, Tata Salt plays a vital role in supporting the nation’s nutritional well-being. Its ongoing efforts continue to contribute to a more resilient India, one salt grain at a time.