This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Researchers from The George Institute for Global Health assessed the health benefits of switching the salt supply to potassium-enriched salt across 193 countries. They found almost 3 million deaths and 10 million new cases of cardiovascular and kidney disease could be prevented globally each year. The research is published in Nature Health.

Bruce Neal, senior professorial fellow at The George Institute, said the health gains would be widespread and could avert as many as one in 10 cardiovascular deaths in most countries.

"Consuming too much sodium and not enough potassium are well-established causes of high blood pressure—a major risk factor for life-threatening conditions like strokes, heart attacks and kidney disease. Switching to potassium-enriched salt addresses both these dietary issues at the same time, with substantial health benefits," he said.

"While a global shift from regular salt to a potassium-enriched substitute is aspirational, this is a starting point to get countries thinking about the opportunity—with much greater potential and at much lower cost than many drug-based treatments."

Potassium-enriched salt is made by replacing some of the sodium chloride—which makes up regular table salt—with potassium chloride. It looks, tastes and cooks like regular salt. In 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) endorsed the use of potassium-enriched salt to reduce blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular disease.

4 billion people. 2 million deaths in 2023, an increase of nearly 50% over the last 30 years.

Source link