London, SANA-A recent study has revealed that increasing dietary potassium intake can significantly reduce the risk of heart conditions, hospitalizations, and mortality rates by as much as 24%.
Foods abundant in potassium, such as avocados, bananas, and spinach, play a critical role in enhancing cardiovascular health.
Prior research has established that reducing salt consumption can significantly lower heart disease risk.
It was found that a lower intake of salt can result in notable improvements in heart health.
Potassium assists in promoting the elimination of excess sodium from the bloodstream, which inspired researchers to investigate whether higher potassium levels could enhance cardiovascular protection.
Professor Henning Bundgaard, the senior author of the study affiliated with Copenhagen University Hospital, explained that the human diet has shifted dramatically over time.
Our ancestors thrived on a potassium-rich, sodium-poor diet filled with fruits and vegetables.
In contemporary diets, however, the incorporation of processed foods has led to a disturbing increase in sodium intake and a corresponding decrease in potassium, dramatically altering the sodium-to-potassium ratio from 10:1 to 1:2. This change is concerning as low potassium levels are linked to increased risks of arrhythmias, heart failure, and overall mortality.
In this study, 1,200 heart patients equipped with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) participated. Half of the participants received dietary guidance aimed at enhancing their potassium intake. The researchers recommended various potassium-rich foods while advising against meat consumption due to its sodium content, which can counteract potassium benefits.
Results showed that participants who increased their potassium levels experienced a significantly lower risk—24%—of heart ailments, heart-related hospitalizations, or death from any cause. These findings were shared at the European Society of Cardiology congress in Madrid, marking an important advancement in heart health research.
Bundgaard emphasized the broader implications of these findings, suggesting that a higher dietary intake of potassium could be beneficial not only for individuals with heart disease but potentially for everyone. He advocated for a general reduction in sodium and an increase in potassium in our diets.
The European Food Safety Authority has identified inadequate potassium levels as a significant dietary concern across Europe. Recent surveys from the UK revealed that a third of teenagers and a quarter of adults are at risk of potassium deficiency, which can negatively affect blood pressure control and muscle function.
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