Expert advises Nigerians to reduce salt, sugar intake

The nutritionist advised consumers to read food labels carefully.

A public health nutritionist has urged Nigerians to reduce salt, sugar and fatty foods, saying healthier dietary choices could help curb rising hypertension cases and related deaths nationwide.

Florence Uchendu of Public Health Nutrition and Epidemiology at the National Open University of Nigeria, Abuja, gave the advice during an interview in Abuja.

Ms Uchendu described hypertension as a global public health problem, particularly severe in sub-Saharan Africa and Nigeria, where unhealthy dietary practices and lifestyles contributed significantly to rising disease burden and mortality.

She identified excessive sodium intake as a major dietary risk factor for high blood pressure, warning Nigerians against using too much salt while cooking or adding extra salt at the table.

“Every food has its natural taste. There are people that, for everything they cook, they must dump salt there. Yam, rice, corn, virtually everything.