Excess sodium intake and a lack of potassium are major contributing factors towards high blood pressure in Indonesia, prompting calls for low-sodium potassium-rich salt substitutes (LSSS) to be readily available to improve health and curb health costs. New Griffith University research has looked at the impact of switching out current table salt (100% sodium chloride ) with a low- sodium alternative in Indonesia. The paper " Cost-effectiveness analysis of low-sodium potassium-rich salt substitutes in Indonesia: an equity modelling study " has been published in The Lancet Regional Health—Southeast Asia .
Lead author Dr. Leopold Aminde from the School of Medicine and Dentistry said the World Health Organization has recommended a population-wide reduction in sodium consumption to tackle the burden of high blood pressure and non-communicable diseases. "LSSS look similar to table salt and research shows they have a similar taste with some consumers unable to differentiate between the two options," Dr.
Aminde said. "The research shows that making LSSS available would have a positive impact on the Indonesian health system by reducing blood pressure, and preventing heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease . "Ultimately it would reduce health expenditure by up to US$2 billion [IDR 27.
7 trillion] over 10 years, providing a much-needed cost-saving measure." Dr. Wahyu Nugraheni, co-author and Head of the Research Center for Public Health and Nutrition at the National Research and Inno.
