Abstract

Excessive salt (sodium) intake is a major public health problem that is one of the risk factors for the development of noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases. The aim of the study was to give an overview of the problems related to salt consumption, nutritional research describing the situation and inter national experience in prevention activity, as well as to reduce salt consumption and to give recommendations on possible prevention measures in Estonia. These measures could help planning and implementing prevention of excessive salt consumption
in Estonia. The review also briefly assesses the balancing effect of potassium on excessive salt intake.