Replacing regular table salt with a potassium-enriched alternative could prevent nearly 13,000 deaths and 60,000 cases of cardiovascular and kidney disease each year in the United Kingdom, according to a study published in the journal Nature Health. Globally, the researchers estimate this dietary shift could avert approximately three million deaths and over ten million new cases of these diseases annually.
The study, conducted by The George Institute for Global Health, modeled the potential health impacts across 193 countries. Experts suggest that the findings offer a cost-effective strategy for public health initiatives aimed at mitigating the health consequences of high sodium intake.
Potassium-enriched salt, available in supermarkets under brands like LoSalt, substitutes a portion of sodium with potassium. Excessive sodium intake is a primary contributor to high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes, by causing the body to retain water and increasing vascular pressure. Conversely, potassium can help to lower blood pressure. The study highlights that over 14 million Britons, approximately one in three adults, are estimated to have high blood pressure, a condition that can also damage kidneys due to increased force on their delicate structures.
Bruce Neal, a senior professorial fellow at The George Institute, stated that the switch could yield substantial health benefits. He described the potential for a global transition to potassium-enriched salt as aspirational but emphasized it as a starting point for countries to consider the opportunity, noting its potential and lower cost compared to many drug-based treatments.
If all salt were replaced globally, the study projects 2.96 million deaths and 10.17 million new cases of cardiovascular and chronic kidney disease could be prevented each year. Even if only home salt consumption were replaced, it could prevent 1.85 million deaths and over six million disease cases worldwide annually. Furthermore, if 80% of individuals with high blood pressure switched to potassium-enriched salt at home, an estimated 600,000 deaths and 1.7 million disease cases could be averted each year.
However, researchers caution that potassium-enriched salt may not be suitable for everyone. Individuals with advanced kidney disease could be at risk due to the increased potassium, as compromised kidneys may struggle to excrete it, potentially leading to dangerous build-ups. Professor Vivek Jha, a nephrologist and senior professorial fellow at The George Institute, advised that people with serious kidney conditions and those on medications that elevate blood potassium levels should take precautions. He added that these risks can be managed through patient education, clear product labeling, and clinical oversight.