Abstract

Daily dietary sodium (Na) and potassium (K) intake in healthy toddlers in the Antwerp region of Belgium, aged 2 – 3 years, have been evaluated by duplicate portion sampling. The elemental content was analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry after acid destruction and heating in a microwave oven. Mean sodium intake (2,381 ± 694 mg/d) was very high compared with and far above the population reference intake (PRI) for Belgium or the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) value (330 mg/d). For potassium, mean intake (2,563 ± 567 mg/d) was higher than in most other countries and 2.5 times more than the PRI range for Belgium (800 – 1,000). The intake of Na and K by the healthy toddler population in the Antwerp region seems to be too high for both elements, especially for sodium.

Author Details

Authors

• R. Van Cauwenbergh¹
• D. Bosscher¹
• H. Robberecht¹,²
• V. Van Vlaslaer²
• N. Hermans¹

Departments

• ¹ Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Laboratory of Nutrition and Functional Food Science,
• ² Plantijn Hogeschool, Antwerp, Belgium

Address

Dr. H. Robberecht
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Laboratory of Nutrition and Functional Food, Science, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
Email: [email protected]

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