More Herbs, Less Salt Day
August 29
About More Herbs, Less Salt Day
More Herbs, Less Salt Day is observed annually on 29 August. It is a health-focused awareness day that encourages people to reduce their salt intake by substituting fresh or dried herbs and other seasonings in their cooking and eating. Founded to address the well-documented health risks associated with excessive sodium consumption, the day celebrates the enormous variety of flavourful, health-promoting herbs available to home cooks and professional chefs alike.
What is More Herbs, Less Salt Day?
More Herbs, Less Salt Day is a food and health awareness occasion that highlights the case for replacing salt with herbs as the primary source of flavour in meals. It promotes awareness of how much sodium most people consume daily, explains the health consequences of excessive salt intake, and offers practical encouragement to experiment with the wide range of herbs, spices, and other natural seasonings that can transform a dish without adding sodium.
When is More Herbs, Less Salt Day?
More Herbs, Less Salt Day falls on 29 August each year. The timing coincides with the peak of the herb-growing season in the northern hemisphere, when herb gardens are at their most productive and fresh herbs are abundant and affordable. It is an ideal moment to encourage people to harvest, cook with, and enjoy the full spectrum of culinary herbs.
Why it Matters
Excessive salt consumption is a significant global public health concern. The World Health Organization recommends that adults consume no more than 5 grams of salt per day (approximately 2,000 milligrams of sodium). Yet most people in developed nations consume far more than this: estimates suggest average daily intake in the United Kingdom is around 8 grams, and in the United States approximately 8 to 9 grams per day.
The health consequences of sustained high-sodium intake are well established. They include:
- High blood pressure (hypertension): Sodium causes the body to retain water, which increases blood pressure and strains the cardiovascular system.
- Heart disease and stroke: Elevated blood pressure is one of the leading risk factors for coronary heart disease and stroke.
- Kidney damage: The kidneys filter excess sodium, and chronic over-consumption can accelerate kidney dysfunction.
- Fluid retention: High sodium intake is associated with bloating and uncomfortable fluid retention throughout the body.
More Herbs, Less Salt Day reframes this health message positively, by focusing on what can be added to cooking rather than what must be removed.
How to Get Involved
There are plenty of straightforward ways to mark More Herbs, Less Salt Day:
- Cook with herbs today: Choose one meal and prepare it using herbs instead of salt. Basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano, coriander, parsley, and dill are all excellent starting points.
- Start a herb garden: Plant a small pot of herbs on a windowsill or in the garden. Even a few pots of basil and mint can transform your cooking throughout the year.
- Audit your salt intake: Read the labels on the processed foods in your kitchen to get a clearer picture of how much hidden sodium you consume daily.
- Try a new recipe: Challenge yourself to cook a dish from scratch that relies on herbs and spices for its flavour profile, with no added salt.
- Share the message: Post about your herb-infused meal or recipe on social media to encourage others to explore the benefits of cooking with fresh herbs.
History
More Herbs, Less Salt Day was created by Thomas and Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays and Herbs, a US-based organisation known for registering a range of quirky and health-conscious special days throughout the calendar year. The day was formally established in 2006, though the Roys had been promoting the concept in certain US states since the early 1990s. Wellcat’s motivation was straightforward: to use the vehicle of a dedicated awareness day to translate public health guidance on sodium reduction into something accessible, positive, and actionable for ordinary people.
The day slots naturally into late August, when herb gardens across the northern hemisphere are thriving and fresh herbs are at their most plentiful. This agricultural timing reinforces the day’s message: nature provides an abundance of flavour that does not require the addition of salt.
Noteworthy Facts
- The World Health Organization estimates that reducing global salt intake to the recommended level could prevent approximately 2.5 million deaths per year.
- Many herbs contain beneficial compounds beyond flavour: rosemary and turmeric have been studied for anti-inflammatory properties, and garlic is associated with cardiovascular benefits.
- Dried herbs are typically three to four times more concentrated than fresh herbs, so smaller quantities are needed when substituting one for the other.
- Sea salt, pink Himalayan salt, and other “premium” salts contain essentially the same amount of sodium as ordinary table salt and offer no meaningful health advantage when consumed in similar quantities.
- The UK government’s Change4Life campaign has highlighted reducing salt as one of the most impactful individual dietary changes a person can make for long-term health.
Hashtags
#MoreHerbsLessSaltDay #LessSalt #HerbGarden #HealthyEating #CookingWithHerbs
When is More Herbs, Less Salt Day?
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 29 August |
| 2027 | TBC |
| 2028 | TBC |
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