S. Koreans’ average sodium intake 60 pct higher than WHO recommendation: data

SEOUL, July 1 (Yonhap) -- South Koreans consume approximately 60 percent more sodium than the level recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), data showed Tuesday. The average sodium consumption by South Koreans came to 3,136 milligrams (mg) per day between 2021 and 2023, according to data compiled by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. This marks a 34.5 percent decrease from 2011, when the average was 4,739 mg per day, before the country launched an initiative to reduce salt consumption. The latest tally was about 60 percent higher than the WHO's recommended daily salt intake of 2,000 mg. Data showed that over half of South Koreans' daily sodium intake comes from consumption of noodles, dumplings, kimchi, soups and stir-fried dishes. Meanwhile, Koreans consumed an average of 35.5 grams of sugar per day as of 2023, accounting for 7.7 percent of total daily caloric intake, which is within the WHO's recommended limit. This file photo taken on June 11, 2025, shows a salt field in Incheon, just west of Seoul. (Yonhap) nyway@yna.co.kr(END)