A study published last Wednesday in Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association finds that children who eat less salt also consume fewer sugar-sweetened beverages, potentially reducing their risk for obesity, hypertension and heart attacks, the Associated Press reports. Noting that salt intake can increase fluid consumption among adults, British researchers analyzed data from a nationally representative sample of more than 1,600 people between the ages of 4 and 18. Participating youth recorded their salt and fluid intake for seven days, weighing all food and drinks on digital scales. The researchers found a significant association between salt intake and consumption of fluids, particularly sugar-sweetened soft drinks. They calculated that reducing salt intake by one gram daily would result in a 100 gram decrease in fluid consumption, including a 27 gram reduction in sugar-sweetened beverages. The researchers also estimated that, by halving their salt intake, children could cut their sugary drink consumption by roughly two drinks per week. According to the authors, the changes in salt and calorie consumption would significantly reduce children's risk for obesity and high blood pressure, which are both risk factors for stroke and heart attack in adulthood. To ensure children follow a healthy diet, researchers call on physicians to address salt intake during patient visits and recommend that parents check nutrition labels, choose low-salt products and avoid adding salt when preparing or seasoning foods. The AP notes that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is currently reviewing public comments on a proposal from the American Medical Association to restrict the amount of salt in processed foods, which currently account for roughly 80 percent of Americans' sodium intake (Stengle, AP/Yahoo! News, 2/20/08; American Heart Association release, 2/21/08; He et al., Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association, March 2008 [subscription required]).