New Delhi: A recent study has flagged disturbing dietary trends of excessive salt consumption and inadequate potassium intake, which increase the risk of development of hypertension, cardiovascular and chronic kidney diseases. According to the study, conducted by researchers at The George Institute for Global Health India in collaboration with the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh, protein consumption was below the recommended dietary allowance and men exhibited higher nutrient intake compared to women.
The comprehensive study on the dietary habits of north Indian population was conducted focusing on the intake of sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and protein, that have an impact on the risk of development of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease.
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The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, involved more than 400 adult participants encompassing healthy adults and those with early-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD).
It utilised 24-hour urinary excretion analysis to assess nutrient intake.
This method is considered more accurate than dietary recall because it is less prone to errors related to memory or estimation of portion sizes. Care was taken to ensure the urine samples’ reliability for analysis. Professor Vivekanand Jha, Executive Director, The George Institute for Global Health, India and the lead study author, said,
Meticulous analysis revealed some alarming trends — excessive salt consumption surpassing recommended levels, inadequate potassium intake (both of which increase the risk of development of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease), and protein consumption below the recommended dietary allowance.
A poor nutritious diet is a major risk element for non-communicable diseases (NCD), which are of considerable public health concern. In India, people eat different foods, so it is important to know exactly what nutrients they are getting to help prevent and manage these diseases, Mr Jha said.
The high salt intake and low potassium intake point to the need to develop interventions targeted to individuals and societies, Mr Jha stated.
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These findings highlight the fact that while the dietary intake of several nutrients is necessary for good cardiovascular and kidney health, their consumption is suboptimal. It also highlighted the need for personalised changes in diet to reduce the risks of common non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The study also emphasises the importance of accurate dietary assessments to provide personalised advice and develop effective policies.
Emphasising the urgency for public awareness campaigns, individual counselling, and food policy reforms, Mr Jha added,
The study shows that it is important to have dietary guidelines that are specific to local area. We need to take action to fix imbalances in nutrients and encourage people to eat more healthily by increasing diversity.
To lower the risks of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), researchers suggested using multi-faceted strategies, including providing better information on food labels so people can make healthier choices, reducing salt in processed foods, and encouraging people to eat more fruits and vegetables rich in potassium.
This study shows how to take proactive steps to fight NCDs, fostering a healthier future for North Indian communities.
This project was supported by funding from the Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi, India Science and Engineering Research Board, Delhi, and the Department of Biotechnology-Welcome Trust, India Alliance.
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(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which in its Season 10 is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Ayushmann Khurrana. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In a world post COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental well-being, self-care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.
