A small adjustment to your daily diet can help prevent hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Simply replacing NaCl with KCl can make a difference.
This insight comes from an international team of researchers from the United States, Australia, Japan, South Africa, and India. Their new study reveals that potassium-enriched salt can be used in cooking just like regular salt, and it offers health benefits.
Scientists have long warned that excessive consumption of regular salt (NaCl) poses risks for high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases. They have strongly recommended reducing daily salt intake, particularly for those suffering from hypertension. However, experts acknowledge that many people find it challenging to adhere to this restriction.
Interestingly, 1.28 billion adults worldwide aged 30 to 79 suffer from hypertension. Each year, over 17 million people die from heart attacks and strokes globally.
A Simple and Effective Solution
According to the researchers, switching to potassium-enriched salt could be a solution for those who struggle to give up salty foods. This type of salt is also known as low-sodium salt, potassium salt, heart salt, or mineral salt.
Potassium chloride looks just like sodium chloride, and their flavors are quite similar, as noted by Science Alert.
Researchers assert that potassium-enriched salt lowers blood pressure not only by reducing sodium intake but also by increasing potassium consumption. A deficiency in potassium, which primarily comes from fruits and vegetables, is another significant contributor to high blood pressure.
What Did the Researchers Discover?
The team gathered compelling evidence of the benefits of potassium salt through a randomized study involving 20,995 participants from various countries. The results indicated that switching to potassium-enriched salt reduces blood pressure and the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and premature death.
The scientists also analyzed 21 previous studies, further confirming the health benefits of heart salt.
Additionally, the researchers modeled the positive outcomes of potassium salt consumption in different countries. They found that, for instance, if the population of China switched to KCl salt, it could prevent nearly half a million strokes and heart attacks each year.
In the 2023 global report on hypertension by the World Health Organization, potassium-enriched salt is described as an “affordable strategy” for lowering blood pressure and preventing cardiovascular diseases.
Why Do So Few People Use KCl?
Most people don’t think about how much salt they consume or the health issues it may cause. Currently, few are aware that simply switching to potassium-enriched salt can help lower blood pressure and prevent cardiovascular diseases.
A lack of information about the benefits of potassium salt and its availability hinders people from making healthier dietary choices. However, this product is available on supermarket shelves.
Potassium salt costs about one and a half times more than regular salt. While it’s not the most expensive item we regularly consume, its slightly higher price is a small price to pay for preventing the aforementioned diseases.
Who Should Avoid Potassium Salt?
It is not recommended for individuals with elevated potassium levels in their blood (hyperkalemia). People with serious kidney diseases and those with diabetes should also avoid KCl salt.