By Faridat Salifu
As Nigeria joins the global community in observing World Hypertension Day this May, experts emphasize the critical link between sustainable food systems, diet quality, and the rising burden of hypertension — a leading cause of cardiovascular disease and premature death.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is often called the “silent killer” because it shows no obvious symptoms but can cause severe health complications over time.
In Nigeria, around 30 percent of adults are estimated to live with hypertension, yet only a fraction receive adequate treatment or achieve proper blood pressure control.
One of the main drivers of this public health crisis is excessive sodium consumption, largely from processed and packaged foods.
Nigeria’s average daily salt intake, at 5.8 grams per person, exceeds the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of 5 grams — equivalent to just one teaspoon of salt.
This pattern reflects broader challenges in the country’s food environment, where cheap, highly processed foods loaded with salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats are increasingly prevalent.
Such dietary shifts not only harm human health but are often linked to environmentally unsustainable food production systems that degrade ecosystems and contribute to climate change.
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In response, Nigeria launched its National Sodium Reduction Guideline in April 2024. This initiative aims to promote healthier diets by encouraging food manufacturers to reformulate products with lower sodium content and empowering consumers to make better-informed food choices.
Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), a key advocate for food policy reforms, is calling for strong regulatory measures, including mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labelling.
These labels would provide clear, accessible information on salt levels, helping consumers avoid hidden sodium in processed foods.
“The fight against hypertension is also a fight for a sustainable food system — one that prioritizes fresh, minimally processed foods grown and distributed in ways that protect the environment and public health,” said Esi-ife Arogundade, Healthy Food Advocate at CAPPA.
The environmental footprint of unhealthy diets is significant: intensive agriculture for processed food ingredients drives deforestation, water depletion, and greenhouse gas emissions.
By reducing reliance on ultra-processed foods and salt-heavy diets, Nigeria can advance both its health and climate goals.
Experts note that sustainable interventions, including promoting local fruits, vegetables, and traditional diets, increasing physical activity, and curbing tobacco and alcohol use, are vital components of a holistic approach to tackling hypertension.
As the world warms and environmental pressures mount, Nigeria’s health outcomes are deeply intertwined with food system sustainability.
World Hypertension Day offers a timely reminder that combating the “silent killer” requires not only medical attention but also policies that foster healthier, environmentally responsible eating habits.
