WHO warns to cut back on salt intake after shocking new data

The World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed that cardiovascular disease is responsible for 40% of deaths in Europe, which amounts to 10,000 deaths a day, or four million a year.

The organisation is urging Europeans to cut their salt intake.

"Implementing targeted policies to reduce salt intake by 25 percent could save an estimated 900,000 lives from cardiovascular diseases by 2030," Hans Kluge, the director of WHO's Europe branch said in a statement.

In Europe, one in three adults between the ages of 30 and 79 suffer from hypertension, often due to salt consumption, AFP reported.

Meanwhile, 51 of the 53 countries in the WHO's European region have an average daily salt intake above the organisation's recommended maximum of five grams, or one teaspoon.

This is largely due to processed foods and snacks.

"High salt intake raises blood pressure, which is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes," the WHO said.

Europe has the highest blood pressure prevalence in the world, it said.

According to the WHO Europe report, men in the region are almost 2.5 times more likely to die from cardiovascular diseases than women.

Additionally, the probability of dying young (30-69 years) from cardiovascular disease is nearly five times as high in eastern Europe and central Asia compared to western Europe.