saltindtag

Saltindtag is a term used in Danish and Norwegian nutrition literature to denote salt intake, the amount of salt consumed in a person’s diet. It is typically expressed as grams of salt per day, or as milligrams of sodium per day. The word comes from salt + indtag (intake).

Saltindtag can be estimated through dietary assessment tools such as 24-hour dietary recalls, food frequency questionnaires, or analysis of food purchase data; and more accurately through 24-hour urinary sodium excretion, which reflects recent intake. Major dietary sources include processed foods, restaurant meals, bread, snacks, meats, and dairy products. Public-health guidelines commonly target saltindtag below 5 grams of salt per day (about 2 grams of sodium) for adults; some guidelines advise even lower targets. Salt reduction strategies include product reformulation, clearer labeling, and consumer education.

Excessive saltindtag is associated with elevated blood pressure and increased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and kidney disease in many populations. Reducing saltindtag can lower blood pressure and improve health outcomes, particularly among individuals with hypertension. The term is primarily used in Nordic or European nutrition discourse; in English-language literature the term “salt intake” is more common. See also sodium, hypertension, public health nutrition.