Adults in England consume 40 percent more salt than recommended, according to a new study, raising their risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes.
Adults in England are consuming far more salt than they may realise - the equivalent of 155 bags of crisps every week, according to new analysis by the British Heart Foundation (BHF).
The charity said this equates to the quantity of salt in around 22 bags of ready-salted crisps every day, warning that most people are unaware they are consuming such a high amount.
“Most of the salt we eat is hidden in the food we buy, such as bread, cereals, pre-made sauces and ready meals, so it’s hard to know how much salt we’re consuming,” said Dell Stanford, a senior BHF dietitian.
"This is bad news for our heart health, as eating too much salt significantly increases the risk of high blood pressure, a major cause of heart attacks, strokes, and other serious diseases."
Why excessive salt can be harmful to the body
Health experts warn that excessive salt intake remains one of the most serious and preventable risks to cardiovascular health.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is the single biggest cause of heart attacks and strokes around the world, responsible for one in six deaths globally, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
It is often called a "silent killer" because it doesn't always come with noticeable symptoms.
Around one-third of adults in the UK are thought to have hypertension, but an estimated five million people are unaware they have the condition, according to the BHF. In Europe, it affects nearly a quarter of the population.
Despite longstanding public health advice, average salt consumption in England remains well above recommended levels. Adults consume around 8.4 grams of salt per day - roughly 40 percent more than the government’s recommended maximum of 6 grams.
The BHF said the excess alone was equivalent to the salt content of six bags of crisps. A typical 32 to 40 gram bag of salted crisps contains around 0.38 grams of salt.
According to the WHO, evidence shows that reducing salt consumption by 25 percent through strong public health policies could prevent up to 900,000 deaths from cardiovascular disease by 2030 in the WHO European region, which is comprised of 53 countries across Europe and Central Asia.
Health campaigners say the findings of the recent UK salt study highlight the need for stronger government intervention to reduce salt in everyday foods, including tougher limits and penalties for manufacturers that fail to comply.
“The government must step in to make the healthy choice much easier for families by giving manufacturers an incentive to take out excessive amounts of salt from our food,” Stanford said.
Changes to UK junk food advertisement
Alongside calls to change how food is made, the UK government has moved to restrict how unhealthy products are marketed, particularly to children.
A UK-wide ban on junk food advertising took effect on January 5 as part of government efforts to halve childhood obesity by 2030. The law prevents food and drink high in fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS) from being advertised on television before 9 pm, and at any time online.
These restrictions apply to products considered to be among the biggest drivers of childhood obesity, including soft drinks, chocolates, sweets, pizzas, and ice creams. Some breakfast cereals and porridges, sweetened bread products, as well as certain main meals and sandwiches are also included.
The new regulations are among the toughest measures against unhealthy food in Europe, and have been welcomed by health professionals.
"There is of course further to go, but today’s legislation is a significant and welcome step forward in protecting people from industry influence and reducing the number of people living with - and dying from - preventable illness and disease," said Alice Wiseman, vice president of the UK Association of Directors of Public Health.
