Reduced Salt Intake for Kids Lowers Their Soft Drink Consumption

Children may decrease their soft drinks consumption by eating less salt, according to a recent study.

Previously, studies showed that salt intake may increase the fluid consumption in adults. In this study, researchers at the St. George`s University of London, England examined whether salt intake has the same effects in the case of children.

The specialists collected data from more than 2,000 people with ages between four and eighteen years old in 1997. Sugar-sweetened drinks are a great source of calories for children, according to Dr. Feng He, lead author of the study.

The results showed that children usually drink less fluid if they have a lower-salt diet. Plus, the researchers noticed that only one gram of salt cut from the daily diet may reduce the fluid intake with almost 100 grams per day. After considering factors like body weight, age, gender, or physical activity the specialists predicted that children may reduce the sweet beverages consumption by twenty-seven grams per day.

For instance, if children between four and eight years old decrease their salt intake by half, they can also decrease their calorie intake by up to 250 kcal per week (approximately two sweet beverages per week).

Previous studies showed that the risk to suffer from high blood pressure later in life may be decreased due to a low-salt diet during childhood. Researchers believe the low-salt diet may be an efficient way to decrease childhood obesity.

It is also important for children to follow a low-salt diet so they can avoid having a heart attack or a stroke, according to Dr. He. The specialists asked the parents to decrease the amount of salt in their children`s diet and check the labels of the low-salt food products.