Children taking too much sodium also suffer from high blood pressure

Recently, the American Heart Association (AmericanHeartAssociation) revealed in a scientific meeting that 75% of packaged infant foods contained high sodium content. Scientific research shows that excessive intake of sodium can make young children susceptible to high blood pressure, and they tend to prefer salty foods when they grow up.

The researchers tested the sodium content of 1,115 prepackaged foods for children, including those suitable for children 0-3 years of age. Studies have shown that the sodium content of children aged 1-3 years is significantly higher, and some foods contain up to 630 mg of sodium, accounting for 40% of the 1500 mg daily intake recommended by the American Heart Association.

A baby food containing more than 210 milligrams (mg) of sodium belongs to a high sodium content. As the development of young children is not yet complete, the function of the kidneys is not yet mature, and excess sodium in the blood cannot be excluded, which can easily lead to high blood pressure and burden the heart.

Joyce Maalouf, a researcher from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, worried about the long-term intake of sodium in young children. "This can lead to prematurely developing hypertension. More preference for salty foods."

What about high-sodium foods? Today's young children are exposed to food traps one by one. In particular, today’s parents seem to be too laissez-faire with their children’s diet. The sodium content of cakes, biscuits, artichokes, and other foods is high, and it is not difficult for today’s young children to come into contact with these foods.

Reducing the sodium content of children's meals can reduce their preference for salty foods. How can parents reduce the sodium content of children's meals? Malouf asked parents to start from their children's lunch and dinner. A high-sodium lunch can balance a healthy dinner with low sodium content and use apples instead of packaged cheese and cookies.

When parents purchase baby foods, they should develop the habit of checking the list of nutrition on the package. When choosing low-sodium content foods, parents should teach children the correct dietary ideas, and pack foods and snacks to eat less.