WHO updates dietary guidelines to slash chronic disease risks

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued updated dietary guidelines to help people maintain better health. These recommendations cover salt, sugar, calorie intake, and meal timing—all aimed at reducing the risk of serious illnesses. A healthy adult should consume no more than seven grams of salt per day, according to the WHO. For those with chronic conditions—or at risk of developing them—the limit drops to four or five grams. Sugar intake should also stay below 50 grams daily, though people with diabetes or kidney disease must restrict themselves to just 15-20 grams.

The average person needs around 2,000 kilocalories each day. However, portion sizes should adjust based on activity levels: smaller meals for desk jobs, larger ones for physically demanding work. Experts also advise eating three full meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—while finishing the last meal at least two hours before bedtime. To further improve health, the WHO suggests choosing lean meats and low-fat dairy. These choices help lower overall fat consumption. An unbalanced diet, on the other hand, raises the likelihood of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and even cancer.

The guidelines aim to prevent long-term health problems by promoting balanced eating habits. Adjusting salt, sugar, and calorie intake—along with proper meal timing—can lower the risk of chronic diseases. Health officials urge people to follow these recommendations for better long-term wellbeing.