The average daily sodium intake of Koreans was found to be higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended standards on the 1st. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced the results of an analysis of the average daily sodium and sugar intake of Koreans from 2019 to 2023.
The average daily sodium intake of Koreans decreased from 3,289 mg in 2019 to 3,136 mg in 2023. However, it is still above the WHO recommended level (2,000 mg daily). The age group that consumes the most sodium is between 30 and 40 years old. Men were found to consume more sodium than women.
Koreans primarily consume sodium through noodles and dumplings, kimchi, soups, stir-fries, and stews. When dining out for foods like chicken and pizza, the sodium intake per meal was higher than when eating home-cooked meals.
The amount of sugar that Koreans consume daily from processed foods remained similar, declining from 36.8 g in 2019 to 35.5 g in 2023. The WHO recommends that less than 10% of daily caloric intake come from sugar. Overall, Koreans met this guideline.
However, in 2023, women aged 6 to 29 were found to prefer sweeter foods. They consumed sugars that exceed 10% of their total daily caloric intake from items like bread, beverages, and ice cream.
Excessive intake of sodium and sugar can lead to hypertension and diabetes. It is advisable to use seaweed and anchovy powder instead of salt or sauces when cooking, and to treat ham and sausages with boiling water before consumption. Drinking water instead of carbonated beverages and opting for fresh fruit instead of snacks or bread is also a good strategy.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety noted that "when purchasing processed foods, one should select products with relatively lower sugar content on the nutritional labels."