Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Jul 30: Adding salt warning labels to restaurant menus could be a powerful tool to help diners make healthier food choices, according to a new study published in The Lancet Public Health. Researchers from the University of Liverpool found that such warnings led customers to order meals with significantly less salt—potentially reducing risks of cardiovascular and kidney diseases linked to high sodium intake.

In a pioneering real-world and online trial, researchers compared consumer behavior when menus included high-salt warnings versus those without any labels. The results showed that participants who saw salt warnings ordered meals with up to 12.5% less salt (around 0.54 grams less) in real restaurants, and 0.26 grams less per meal in the online setting.

"Salt warning labels on menus help people make healthier choices," said lead author Dr. Rebecca Evans, a postdoctoral researcher in psychology. "Excess salt intake is a leading contributor to diet-related illness. This type of simple labeling policy could have wide-reaching health benefits."

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends consuming less than 5 grams of salt per day—roughly under one teaspoon. However, the salt content in many restaurant dishes far exceeds this limit, contributing to health issues like high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, kidney damage, and even obesity.

The study involved 454 diners in a real-world restaurant setting and 2,391 adults in an online randomized controlled trial. Participants across age, gender, and education backgrounds responded positively to the warning labels, which not only influenced their meal choices but also raised awareness about salt content.

Crucially, the findings indicate that salt warning labels are an equitable public health tool that can benefit a broad spectrum of consumers without worsening existing health disparities.

"This study shows that even small nudges at the point of purchase can push people toward healthier decisions," Dr. Evans added.

As menu labeling gains momentum globally, such initiatives may serve as a low-cost, scalable solution to reduce salt intake and promote long-term public health.