Q&A: Dr Rafe Bundy, the lecturer in nutrition at Glasgow University comments on a report that shows some of the UK's most popular restaurants are serving meals containing more than the recommended daily allowance of salt

Published on Monday 2 February 2009 21:07

What is the recommended daily allowance for salt?

Four grammes of salt each day is the current UK Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI) for adults. This means that, on average, 4g salt each day will meet the requirements of nearly everyone in the adult population. However, as most people consume much more than this, the government has also set a population average intake of 6g of salt each day for adults. This means we should not consume more than 6g salt each day.

What are the dangers of exceeding this regularly?

An increased level of dietary salt is associated with hypertension (persistent high blood pressure). Hypertension, in turn, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). This is one of the main causes of premature death in the UK and caused just over 53,000 premature deaths in 2006.

Is salt vital in our diet?

Yes. The sodium part of salt is needed to maintain correct fluid volume and pressure in the body, for muscle and nerve activity, and in the absorption of some nutrients. Salt deficiency results in fatigue, weakness and muscle cramps. However, salt deficiency is extremely rare.

Is there enough information about high salt levels for consumers, on packaging and in restaurants?

The salt content of foods is included on the traffic light labelling system that many supermarkets and food manufacturers use.

What did you think of media coverage of the issue?

The Food Standards Agency has a website on the issue of salt, and also ran its own campaign on buses and on television about the dangers of too much salt. I think that gives an idea of its importance as a public health issue.