- A new study suggests that increasing potassium intake through foods like bananas may be more effective in lowering blood pressure than solely reducing sodium.
- High blood pressure, affecting nearly a third of adults globally, increases risks of heart disease, stroke, and other conditions.
- While reducing salt intake is commonly advised, the study, published in the American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology, emphasises the importance of a balanced potassium-to-sodium ratio.
- A mathematical model used in the study showed that men are more susceptible than women to high blood pressure but also respond better to increased potassium.
- Researchers suggest that modern Western diets, high in sodium and low in potassium, may contribute to the prevalence of high blood pressure in industrialised societies.
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