Independent report

"SACN Salt and Health report": recommendations on salt in diet

Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition advice on salt and recommended Dietary Reference Values (DRVs).

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SACN Salt and Health report

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High blood pressure is common in the UK and a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and premature death. Reducing the average salt intake of the population is likely to decrease the burden of high blood pressure and improve public health.

In this report, the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition(SACN) accepts the previous recommendation for a reduction in the population average intake of salt to 6 grams per day for adults and for the first time has set targets for children which are proportionate to their needs.

Meeting these targets would be of major benefit to public health. Even a small reduction in salt intake could help to reduce the burden of high blood pressure in our population.

Return to the SACN home page for more information on the Committee.

Updates to this page

Published 31 August 2003

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