Nearly
two-thirds of adult New Zealanders are consuming more salt than they
need and most of it is coming from processed foods, according to
groundbreaking research.
The researchers behind the New Zealand
Adult Nutrition Survey - released on Friday - say the study shows the
government and the food industry need to do more to reduce sodium in
processed foods.
Urine sodium samples were taken from 3000 people - the first time it has been done from a nationally representative sample.
The
analysis shows the average sodium intake for New Zealand adults is
estimated to be around 3500mg per day - equivalent to around 9g of salt
per day.
The recommended upper level of sodium intake is 2300mg, says Otago University's Rachael McLean.
High sodium intake is a cause of high blood pressure, heart disease and strokes, and kidney disease.
Younger
New Zealanders and men have higher estimated sodium intakes, with men
aged 19-44 having mean intakes almost double the recommended upper level
of intake.
It is estimated that around three quarters of salt is consumed from that already in processed foods.
"Even those who reported never adding salt afterwards had a mean sodium intake exceeding the recommended upper level."
Dr
McLean says that individual measures such as limiting addition of table
salt will clearly not be enough to reduce salt intake.
"The food
industry and government talk a lot about individual responsibility. This
is clear case where individual responsibility doesn't work," she told
NZ Newswire.
The government should be putting more pressure on the food industry, she said.
The
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's Total Diet Survey also found New
Zealanders were consuming too much salt, but noted the food industry
was making "great progress" in voluntarily reducing sodium levels.
"There is some progress but I don't think it is fast enough," Dr McLean said.
NZN