Salt Intake, Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Disease in Healthy Children

The level of blood pressure decrease obtained by salt restriction in children is very small. Furthermore, the relation of decreased blood pressure in these studies has not been linked to the risk and prevalence of hypertension related diseases. However, the results of these studies are important for three reasons: 1) There is a strong relationship between the blood pressure in childhood and adulthood. 2) Blood pressure in this period has been associated with early atherosclerosis in the second decade of life. 3) Dietary salt intake in the early periods of life has a programming effect on the blood pressure in adolescence and adulthood. Dietary salt intake in developed countries is considerably high and this is associated with increased risk of hypertension. Nutritionists recommend that daily salt intake should be decreased to 5-6 g from the current level of 10-15 g. Thus, in infancy breast feeding should be supported and afterwards, the consumption of fast food and processed food with high salt content should be decreased.