Limiting the consumption of salt from all sources is one of the list of recommendations of the “Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health” of the World Health Organization (WHO). Yet, according to a British study published by the journal Hypertension, 70% of children exceed the recommended doses of salt.
Researchers accuse cereal and bread makers of adding too much sodium to their products, channel’s website reports BBC News. “The authors of the study believe that it is necessary to redouble efforts because salt increases the risk of hypertension from a very young age, and hypertension can lead to heart disease and stroke,” relates BBC News. High blood pressure is the leading risk factor for death globally, according to theWHO. Among other things, too much salt and salty foods probably increases the risk of Cancer of the stomach, recalls the National Institute of Health (Inserm).
Reduce salt in ready meals
To reach these conclusions, the scientists analyzed 24-hour urine samples from 340 Londoners aged 5 to 17. Parents or study participants also kept a food diary, took pictures of each food and drink consumed, and saved any leftover food.
On average, the researchers calculated that the five and six-year-old children in the study consumed 3.75 grams of salt per day, compared to the recommended limit of 3 grams or less. Teenage boys are said to be particularly affected by this overconsumption. Although a direct link between a diet too high in salt in childhood and the onset of cardiovascular disease in adulthood has not been officially established, the authors of the study advocate a reduction in salt, especially in cooked meals.
