Healthier Salt Substitute May Prevent Millions of Deaths From Heart Disease
New research suggests a healthier form of salt could prevent more than 10 million new cases of heart and kidney disease worldwide each year. Eva-Katalin/E+/Getty Images Swapping regular table salt for potassium-enriched salt could prevent nearly 105,000 U.S. deaths a year and millions of deaths globally, according to a new study. Potassium-enriched salt replaces some of the sodium chloride in…
A new study reveals that replacing regular table salt with potassium-enriched salt could prevent over 10 million new cases of heart and kidney disease annually worldwide. The potassium-enriched salt swaps some sodium chloride for potassium chloride, which helps lower blood pressure. In the United States, this substitution could prevent nearly 105,000 deaths and about 492,000 new cases of cardiovascular disease each year.
Researchers at The George Institute for Global Health modeled the impact on 193 countries, estimating the switch could prevent 2.96 million deaths and reduce heart and kidney disease cases by more than 10 million yearly. Current data indicate that 130.6 million U.S. adults suffer from cardiovascular disease. The study modeled a blend of 75% sodium chloride and 25% potassium chloride, and the researchers said the switch would significantly lower sodium and potassium intake, blood pressure, and disease risk.
Potassium-enriched salt tastes similar to regular table salt and is endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Heart Association (AHA). However, individuals with advanced chronic kidney disease should avoid potassium-enriched salt, as the extra potassium could lead to hyperkalemia and increase the risk of cardiac arrest.
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