A new research has revealed that high intake of good potassium salts can reduce the risk of developing heart disease by 11 percent. The research led by Dr Geleijnse, and was conducted by the Division of Human Nutrition of Wageningen University, studied the good effects of potassium salt to the body and explained why it needs to be preferred over sodium salts.

It was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine and suggested than increased potassium intake by using organic potassium salt can reduce the population with high blood pressure by 5 percent. Dr Geleijnse said that the small but significant reduction in blood pressure can have a strong impact in the reduction of the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. The study poses great relevance in fighting heart-related diseases since a majority of the world’s population has suboptimal or above normal BP levels.

Interesting Results

The researchers began their study by examining the potassium intake levels of the population and by estimating the possible impact of increase potassium intake to the population with high blood pressure. The study ascertained that ingesting potassium in higher dosage than normal diet reduces high blood pressure in Western countries by a maximum of 3.2 mmHg. This would also mean a reduction in the risk of death caused by stroke by 8 to 15 percent, and heart disease by 6 to 11 percent.

Increased consumption of potassium chloride can also reduce the percentage of people with above-normal levels of systolic blood pressure by 2 to 5 percent, and increase the percentage of people with optimal systolic blood pressure by 2 percent approximately. Dr. Feunekes expressed her enthusiasm over the discovery of the health benefits of potassium chloride as salt replacement and added that it’s good to know the hearty benefits of the compound.

Which Salt Should You Choose?

The study suggested that reducing sodium intake by replacing sodium salts with potassium salts is an important lifestyle change since the practice shows potential in improving people’s overall health. Different food manufacturers have been striving to limit and minimize the sodium content of their food products.

The Unilever’s Global Director for Nutrition Savoury, Dr. Gerda Feunekes, proposed the replacement of table salt with mineral salts like potassium chloride in food processing to promote its health benefits at a wider scope. Potassium chloride is being seen as an effective substitute over regular salt. Aside from being as salty as sodium chloride, potassium chloride is not linked to some of the health problems usually associated with sodium. The recent study on the health benefits of potassium chloride had shown relevant evidence that the compound can help in preventing high blood pressure.

CASH, or the Consensus Action on Salt and Health, campaign manager Katharine Jenner welcomed the research and told the Food Navigator magazine that increasing potassium intake, coupled with a reduction in the intake of sodium, can have positive benefits in lowering people’s blood pressure and therefore the minimizing the risk of suffering from stroke, heart failure or heart attack. Researchers suggested that increased potassium and reduced sodium in diet is an effective dietary strategy in fighting heart problems. They added that food manufacturers can help in the campaign in bringing awareness by increasing the availability of healthier foods by optimizing its mineral contents.

The researchers warned the possible side-effects of increased potassium intake especially for people with serious kidney problems. Dr. Feunekes said that despite the health benefits if potassium to the heart, individuals suffering from renal problems must be wary with not only their sodium but also their potassium levels. Food manufacturers are advised to indicate the food’s potassium intake for the benefit of people with renal diseases.

Tips for a Healthy Heart

The heart is one of the most important organs in the human body. It works 24/7 and pumps liters of blood in the body. But a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits makes work even more difficult for the heart. Prolonged unhealthy activities can make the heart go weak and incapable of functioning properly. Studies have shown that most heart diseases are often preventable. People can lower their risk of developing heart ailments by simply eating the right foods and getting enough exercise.

Here are a few tips on how to keep your heart healthy, and keep your blood pressure at bay:

• The study conducted by the Wageningen University suggested that increased intake of potassium chloride as a substitute for salt promotes a healthier heart. Organic salts contain minerals that help the body sustain its proper function.
  
  
• Smoking is very dangerous to your health. The multiple health problems that smoking causes are sufficient reason to stop smoking. Besides the lungs, the heart suffers greatly with every inhalation of tobacco smoke in the body. Studies have proven that the toxic content of cigarettes weakens the heart and causes the veins, as well as the arteries, to get clogged up.
  
  
• Food containing high levels of beta-carotene can reduce the risk of suffering stroke by 40 percent. These are cabbages, carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squash, apricots, dark leafy vegetables and seaweeds. Make sure to have one beta-carotene rich food in your plate at least once a day.
  
  
• Studies show that eating garlic can lower a person’s blood pressure, strengthen the heart, reduce the levels of bad cholesterol and phospholipids, reduce blood clotting, and improve the immune system. It is not hard to achieve this since garlic is one of the most important spices in cooking but just make sure to add an extra clove for stronger flavor and better heart protection.
  
  
• Fill your plate with whole grain products and eat foods with essential fatty acids like omega-3. Fish oil, krill oil and flax seed give the body sufficient amount of omega-3 to keep the heart healthy and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
  
  
• Keep an active lifestyle. A sedentary lifestyle can lead to several health problems. Together with a healthy diet, keeping your health healthy is as easy as doing a 15-minute jump rope, a 30-minute walk around the park or a few moments on the treadmill. Having no time to go to the gym is not an excuse. All you need to do is move, flex your muscles and get sweaty.

Sources
health-heart.org
health-heart.org
care2.com