Researchers in Nigeria looked at thousands of foods sold in stores to understand what people are eating and how healthy those foods are. They compared packaged foods (like canned goods and bottled drinks) with fresh, unpackaged foods (like vegetables and meat from the market). The study found that packaged foods have much more salt in them and are generally less healthy than fresh foods. This matters because too much salt can cause high blood pressure and heart disease. The researchers suggest that Nigeria’s government should require food companies to make healthier products and put clear nutrition labels on packages so people know what they’re buying.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How healthy packaged foods are compared to fresh, unpackaged foods sold in Nigerian markets, and how much salt they contain
  • Who participated: Researchers collected information about 6,636 packaged food products and 507 unpackaged food products from 35 different stores across three states in Nigeria between August and December 2022
  • Key finding: Fresh, unpackaged foods were significantly healthier than packaged foods (rated 4.6 out of 5 stars versus 3.4 out of 5 stars). Packaged meat products had 10 times more salt than fresh meat (760 mg versus 74 mg per 100 grams)
  • What it means for you: If you live in Nigeria or a similar country, choosing fresh foods from the market instead of packaged products may help you eat less salt and improve your overall health. However, packaged foods are more available in stores, so the real solution may require government action to make packaged foods healthier

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers took a snapshot of food products available in Nigerian markets at one point in time (August to December 2022). They visited 35 different food outlets across three states and collected detailed nutrition information about the foods sold there using a special app called Food Switch Data Collector.

To measure how healthy each food was, they used a rating system called Health Star Rating (HSR). This system gives foods a score from 0.5 stars (very unhealthy) to 5 stars (very healthy) based on things like salt, sugar, fat, and nutrients. They then compared the health ratings and salt content between packaged foods (like canned goods, bottled drinks, and processed meats) and unpackaged foods (like fresh vegetables, fruits, and fresh meat from the market).

The researchers used statistical tests to make sure their findings were real and not just by chance. They used a t-test to compare health ratings and a Mann-Whitney U test to compare salt levels between the two groups.

This research approach is important because it shows what people actually have available to buy in real stores, not just what companies say about their products. By comparing packaged and unpackaged foods side-by-side, the study reveals whether the food environment in Nigeria is pushing people toward healthier or unhealthier choices. Understanding salt content is especially important because many people don’t realize how much salt is hidden in packaged foods.

This study has several strengths: it looked at a large number of products (over 6,600), used a standardized rating system (HSR) that’s recognized internationally, and collected data from multiple locations. However, it only looked at three states in Nigeria, so the results may not represent the entire country. The study also only captured one moment in time, so it can’t tell us if things are getting better or worse over time. The researchers didn’t follow individual people to see if eating these foods actually made them sick, so we can’t prove cause-and-effect from this study alone.

What the Results Show

The most striking finding was that packaged foods and beverages were much more available in Nigerian stores than fresh foods—there were about 13 times more packaged products (6,636) than unpackaged products (507). This means that if someone shops at these stores, they’re much more likely to encounter packaged foods.

When researchers compared how healthy these foods were using the Health Star Rating system, fresh unpackaged foods scored significantly better. Fresh foods averaged 4.6 stars out of 5, while packaged foods averaged only 3.4 stars. This difference was very large and definitely not due to chance (p < 0.001, which means there’s less than a 1 in 1,000 chance this happened randomly).

The salt content difference was even more dramatic. Packaged meat and meat alternatives contained 760 milligrams of salt per 100 grams, while fresh meat had only 74 milligrams per 100 grams. That means packaged meat had more than 10 times as much salt. This is important because high salt intake is a major cause of high blood pressure and heart disease.

The study found that packaged foods were not just unhealthier in one way—they were unhealthier across multiple measures. They had more salt, more sugar, and more unhealthy fats compared to fresh foods. The researchers also noted that packaged beverages (drinks) were particularly unhealthy, though specific numbers for beverages weren’t highlighted in the main findings. The fact that packaged foods are so much more available in stores suggests that people shopping in these markets face a real challenge in finding healthy options.

This research fits with what scientists have found in other countries: packaged and processed foods tend to be less healthy and contain more salt than fresh foods. Similar studies in other African countries and around the world have shown the same pattern. However, this is one of the first detailed studies to look specifically at Nigerian markets, so it fills an important gap in our knowledge about what’s available for people to eat in Nigeria.

The study only looked at three states in Nigeria, so we don’t know if these patterns are true across the entire country. The researchers only collected data during one 5-month period, so they couldn’t see if the situation is improving or getting worse over time. They also didn’t track what people actually bought or ate, only what was available in stores. The study also didn’t look at prices, so we don’t know if fresh foods are more expensive and therefore less accessible to people with limited money. Finally, the number of unpackaged foods studied (507) was much smaller than packaged foods (6,636), which could affect how reliable those comparisons are.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, here are evidence-based recommendations: (1) If possible, choose fresh, unpackaged foods from markets instead of packaged products—this is supported by strong evidence from this study. (2) If you must buy packaged foods, check the nutrition label and choose products with less salt (look for lower sodium numbers). (3) For policymakers and government officials: implement policies requiring food companies to reduce salt in packaged foods and put clear nutrition labels on the front of packages so shoppers can easily see how healthy products are. The confidence level for individual choices is moderate (the study shows packaged foods are less healthy, but we can’t prove they’ll make you sick). The confidence level for government policy recommendations is high because multiple studies show this approach works in other countries.

Everyone in Nigeria and similar countries should care about this research, especially people with high blood pressure, heart disease, or a family history of these conditions. Parents should care because the foods available to their children are often packaged and high in salt. Government officials and policymakers should care because this research shows a clear public health problem that needs fixing. Food companies should care because consumers increasingly want healthier options. However, people with very limited budgets may find it difficult to choose fresh foods if they’re more expensive, so this isn’t just an individual choice problem—it requires systemic change.

If you switch from packaged to fresh foods, you might notice some benefits fairly quickly: you may feel less bloated (because of less salt) within days to weeks. However, the real health benefits like lower blood pressure and reduced heart disease risk take longer—usually several weeks to months of consistent eating habits. If the Nigerian government implements the recommended policies, it could take 1-2 years to see changes in what’s available in stores, and several more years to see measurable improvements in people’s health.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your daily salt intake by logging the packaged foods you eat and checking their sodium content on the nutrition label. Aim to stay under 2,300 mg of sodium per day (about 1 teaspoon of salt). Use the app to scan barcodes of packaged foods to automatically log their salt content.
  • Set a goal to replace one packaged food item per week with a fresh alternative. For example, if you usually buy canned meat, try buying fresh meat from the market instead. Use the app to track which packaged foods you’re replacing and monitor your salt intake as it decreases.
  • Create a weekly report in the app showing your average daily sodium intake and the percentage of meals that include fresh versus packaged foods. Set a target to increase fresh food meals from your current baseline by 10% each month. If you have high blood pressure, track that alongside your dietary changes to see if improvements correlate with eating more fresh foods.

This research shows that packaged foods in Nigeria tend to have more salt and lower nutritional quality than fresh foods. However, this study cannot prove that eating packaged foods will cause disease in any individual person. If you have high blood pressure, heart disease, or other health conditions, please consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian before making major changes to your diet. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. Individual nutritional needs vary based on age, health status, and other factors that a healthcare provider can assess.