New Delhi, July 13 -- Indians are eating far more salt than they should, putting millions at greater risk of hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and kidney disorders, according to a new study by scientists from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

While the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends a daily salt intake of less than 5 grams per person, urban Indians are consuming around 9.2 grams a day, nearly double the advised limit. Even in rural areas, average consumption stands at 5.6 grams, still above the safe threshold.

To tackle what experts are calling a "silent epidemic," researchers at ICMR's National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) have launched a three-year salt reduction initiative in Punjab and Telangana. The p...