Prof Isaac Adewole, has lamented the rate of death in Nigeria resulting from unhealthy diet. According to him, hypertension is the leading cardiovascular disease in Nigeria and can result in stroke if untreated.
Presenting the keynote address in Lagos, during the First Annual Black Tie Gala event organised by the Tristate Heart Foundation (THF), he observed that unhealthy diets contributed significantly to the development of non communicable diseaes in Nigeria.
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Adewole, remarked that 1 in every 5 Nigerians is hypertensive and at risk of premature death, said, “Sadly, there is widespread low consumption of proteins, fruits and vegetables and increasing patronage of fast food outlets by the population.
There is also large promotion of sweetened products such as carbonated drinks, pastries, candies and other refined sugars, while excessive intake of salt is promoted by food additives such as monosodium glutamate common in delicacies such as suya, kilisi, isi-ewu, ngwo-ngwo, among others.”
