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AHA New Fact Sheet

AHA just came out with a terrific new fact sheet on sodium and its impact on children.

It lays out a strong case for why sodium reduction in kids is important, including in school meals.

It emphasis' that:

  • Reducing sodium intake could have a big impact on health and health care costs.
  • Nationally, a 9.5% drop in sodium intake could reduce cardiac events by 1 million and costs by $32 billion.
  • Kids' salt preferences are influenced by food choices, and liking for salt can be reduced if they are exposed to a lower sodium diet when young.
  • Kids are eating too much salt, including from school lunches.
  • Kids with high blood pressure show warning signs for heart disease while still in childhood.
  • Prevalence of high blood pressure is increasing in children.