Salt Policy's Impact on Health in South Africa.

South Africa has a big problem with high blood pressure, and salt is a key contributor. Salt is hidden in many foods. Reduction of salt in our diet is crucial to fix this problem. The South African government has stepped in with laws to lower the salt content in the food we eat. This move, while good, hasn't been thoroughly checked to see if it's making a difference in our urine or blood pressure. It's important to know if these efforts are working. Some governments have tried to lower salt intake in the past, with success. There are studies that show eating less salt can lower blood pressure, but few countries have surveyed the effect of the change in laws. It is important to keep track of urine sodium levels, as this a good indicator of changes in diet. Reduction in blood pressure, an important measure for health, is also key. The question is, how do we see this change in action? How can we ensure that we can track if it's working? It's hard to say. It is difficult to monitor blood pressure across a whole population, especially in a country the size of South Africa. Is the South African government doing enough? It is unclear. South Africa has the potential to become a leader in this area. As a global citizen, it falls under our responsibility to pay attention to this.