PAHO recommendations to reduce your salt intake

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) , within the framework of World Salt Awareness Week 2025, warned about excessive sodium consumption and shared some recommendations to reduce its consumption .

World Salt Awareness Week seeks to promote the implementation of evidence-based interventions to reduce salt intake among the population. The main health effect associated with high sodium diets is increased blood pressure, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), gastric cancer, obesity, osteoporosis, Ménière's disease and kidney disease. .

In many countries, three-quarters of dietary sodium comes from processed and ultra-processed foods, such as sauces and dressings, bread, crackers, ready meals, processed meats and cheeses. .

An effective way to reduce sodium consumption in the population is to reduce the sodium content of frequently consumed foods and implement other regulatory measures to help the population make informed purchasing decisions .

PAHO joins the global community's efforts by sharing technical tools to develop and implement comprehensive salt reduction policies, especially salt reduction targets , as well as social marketing to promote healthy practices at home, in schools, and in the workplace.

How can you reduce your sodium intake?

Eat mostly fresh and minimally processed foods
Remove the salt shaker/container from the table
Cooking with little or no added sodium/salt
Use herbs and spices to flavor foods, instead of salt
Replace regular table salt with low-sodium salt substitutes that contain potassium.
Limit the use of commercial sauces, dressings, and instant products
Limit consumption of processed foods
Choose low-sodium foods or low-sodium products
If there are warning labels on the front of the package in your country, choose products that are not labeled as "high in" or "excess" salt/sodium.