Researchers in London have discovered that children drink more sugar-laden beverages when they consume a diet heavy in salt. Both the sugar and the salt pose risks to the child’s health throughout his or her life.Sugar-sweetened beverages supply “empty” calories which add to daily caloric intake without supplying any beneficial nutrients. A diet high in empty calories, such as those supplied by sugary drinks, increases the risk of childhood obesity and its associated ills, such as high blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular disease which may not become apparent until later in life.

This risk is compounded by the excessive salt intake, also known to elevate blood pressure and increase risk of heart attack and stroke.

In a study led by Feng J. He, MD, of St. George’s University of London, 1,600 boys and girls aged 4 through 18 had all food and beverages weighed and recorded for a seven-day period. Salt and fluid intake were measured separately.

Researchers discovered that the less dietary salt a child consumed, the less fluids, including sugar-laden beverages, he or she consumed. They suggest a reduction of 3 grams of salt each day leads to two fewer soft drinks (250 kcal) each week.


In most industrialized countries, 80% of the average consumer’s salt intake comes from pre-made and packaged food products. Dr. He recommends an industry-wide reduction of 10% to 20% of the salt used in these food products, a goal which could be achieved without any noticeable change in flavor.

He urges parents to restrict the amount of salt added during cooking and on the table as well as to check food labels for salt content and to choose low-salt products whenever possible. He urges physicians to discuss with their patients the lifelong benefits of a diet low in salt.

Full details of this study can be found in Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association’s current print and online issues.