Can what we eat really change our health? The answer is yes, according to a study published in the journal Nutrients,
The World Health Organisation recommends adjusting salt intake as part of the nine global targets to reduce premature mortality from chronic non-communicable diseases, which is also part of the HORUS project’s objectives.
The studio is: Croatian Action on Salt and Health (CRASH): On the Road to Success-Less Salt, More Health study is all about.
This European country, in 2006, set itself the goal of the Croatian Action on Salt and Health to reduce the salt consumption of its population by 16% due to its consequences for human health.
Objectives of the study:
- To reduce the average salt consumption in Croatia.
- To raise public awareness of the health risks of high salt consumption.
- To encourage reforms in the food industry to reduce salt content in products.
Methods:
- Public campaigns: Awareness campaigns to educate the public about the dangers of high salt consumption and how to reduce it.
- Food industry collaboration: Collaboration with food manufacturers to reduce salt levels in processed foods.
- Monitoring and evaluation: Regular monitoring of salt intake levels in the population and evaluation of the impact of the initiative.
The findings show that educational activities have led to a significant decrease in salt consumption and awareness of its effects on health among the Croatian population in recent years, leading to a possible improvement in public health indicators such as lower rates of hypertension.
In addition, positive steps have been taken by the food industry to reduce the salt content in various marketed products.
Another conclusion of this study is the need for stronger policies and regulations to support the reduction of salt consumption.
The CRASH initiative represents a successful public health campaign aimed at reducing salt consumption, demonstrating how targeted actions and partnerships can lead to significant improvements in population health. It serves as a model for other countries wishing to implement similar salt reduction strategies.
Download the study here
Authors:
Jelaković B, Marinović Glavić M, Batinić Sermek M, Bilajac L, Bubaš M, Buzjak Služek V, Capak K, Drenjančević I, Gross Bošković A, Jelaković A, et al. Croatian Action on Salt and Health (CRASH): On the Road to Success—Less Salt, More Health. Nutrients. 2024; 16(10):1518. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16101518