Some food eaten by children contains more than half the daily maximum limit of salt in a single serving, new research has revealed today.

While adults are recommended to eat no more than 6g of salt a day, guidelines say children aged four to six should have under 3g a day.

Those aged between one and three should have no more than 2g.

Despite this, a study conducted by Consensus Action on Salt and Health (Cash) found that some savoury foods have more than 1g of salt per serving. (…)

Cash chairman Professor Graham MacGregor, professor of cardiovascular medicine at St George’s hospital in London, warned that too much salt in children’s diets are linked to a number of health problems in later life including heart disease, stomach cancer and osteoporosis.

“Keeping children’s salt consumption below the recommended maximum limits is vital,” he said.

“Research published just last year showed that children who eat higher salt diets have higher blood pressure than children who eat less salt. It is also well established that blood pressure tracks into adulthood.

Professor MacGregor added: “Anything that lowers blood pressure in childhood is likely to translate into lower levels of blood pressure in adult life, with reduced risk of developing heart disease and stroke.”

A survey conducted by the parenting website Netmums.com released with today’s research warns that parental awareness of the amount of salt their children are eating is low. (…)

“Many parents know that their children should eat less salt than adults and we know that most parents do not add salt when they are cooking for their children,” said Cash nutritionist Jo Butten.

“But they are still confused by labelling that does not clearly state the salt content for a realistic portion and they do not expect sweet foods such as cakes, muffins, puddings and breakfast cereals to contain high levels of salt.” (…)

Source: InTheNews.co.uk, UK
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