Table 1

Strategy for achieving ≈50% reduction in salt intake

SourceSodium* (g/day)Salt (g/day)Percentage contribution to total salt intakeReduction needed (salt)
Reduction (%)Reduction (g/day)
Salt (added in cooking)3.6149.0476.450% reduction in the amount of salt used during food preparation4.52
Soy sauce0.2600.655.550% reduction in the amount of soy sauce used. Using garlic, herbs, ginger, 13 spices powder, vinegar0.33
Mustard, pickles0.1420.363.090% reduction in the amount of pickles eaten. Replacing pickles with fresh vegetables0.32
Breads (eg, mantou)0.1330.332.8No reduction0
Noodles (homemade)0.1310.332.8No reduction0
Salted eggs, sausages0.0490.121.0100% reduction. Replacing salted eggs with unsalted eggs0.12
Salted peanuts0.0320.080.7100% reduction. Using unsalted peanuts0.08
Sodium bicarbonate0.147No reduction0
Monosodium glutamate0.012No reduction0
Others0.433.6No reduction0
Natural0.504.2No reduction0
Total4.73311.83100.045% reduction5.37
  • *Sources of sodium were taken from the INTERMAP study for northern China.25