American Kids Are Eating Foods With Way Too Much Salt

Statistics show that as many as nine out of 10 American children are consuming too much salt, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Excessive salt intake can result in an increased risk of hypertension or high blood pressure as well as increased risk of weight issues.

"One in six children already has raised blood pressure, which can result in high blood pressure in adulthood, as we know a major cause of heart disease and stroke," said CDC Deputy Principal Director Ileana Arias, via U.S. News and World Report. "This is incredibly concerning to us."

On average, estimates suggests that children aged 6 to 18 eat about 3,300 milligrams of sodium a day, even before taking any additional table salt into account. As it stands, current dietary guidelines recommend that children eat less than 2,300 milligrams of salt per day.

Foods such as pizza, bread rolls, cold meat cuts, savory snacks, sandwiches, certain types of cheeses and pasta dishes are filled with salt that can be excruiciatingly harmful to the body if eaten in excessive amounts.

"Though kids do not have the same short-term risks from high-salt diets that adults do, as with all aspects of childhood nutrition, the foods our children eat now affect the choices they will go on to make as adults," said Dr. Erica Brody, a pediatrician in the department of pediatrics at the Kravis Children's Hospital at Mount Sinai in New York City. "This includes excessive sugars, fats and, of course, salt as well."

Researchers hope that this and future information regarding the dangers on salt intake shed light on just how dangerous excessive salt consumption can be.

Currently, most sodium already exists in many of these foods before they are even purchased or ordered. Consumers would be wise to check the labels before they make purchases.