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George Institute study: Potassium salt could prevent 3 million deaths annually
A study led by researchers at The George Institute for Global Health suggests that replacing common table salt with a potassium-enriched alternative could prevent approximately 2.96 million deaths globally each year. The research, which spanned 193 countries, indicates that this transition could also prevent over 10 million new cases of cardiovascular and chronic kidney diseases annually.
Bruce Neal, a senior research fellow at the institute, noted that excessive sodium intake combined with insufficient potassium is a well-established cause of high blood pressure, a primary risk factor for strokes, heart attacks, and kidney disease. The alternative salt uses potassium chloride to replace a portion of the sodium chloride found in traditional salt, maintaining a similar taste and usability.
The study highlights that even partial implementation would yield significant benefits. Using potassium salt solely in households could prevent 1.85 million deaths, while replacing salt in processed foods and restaurants could prevent an additional 1.56 million deaths. Researchers emphasized the importance of the food industry, noting that in Europe and North America, over 70% of salt consumption comes from processed foods and dining establishments.
Entities
Bruce Neal · The George Institute for Global Health · World Health Organization
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The study covered 193 countries. trafficnews.bg · novini247.com · hu.euronews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Replacing common salt with potassium-enriched salt could prevent 2.96 million deaths annually. trafficnews.bg · novini247.com · hu.euronews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Excessive sodium and insufficient potassium are causes of high blood pressure. trafficnews.bg · novini247.com · hu.euronews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Cardiovascular diseases caused 19.2 million deaths in 2023. trafficnews.bg · novini247.com · hu.euronews.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] In Europe and North America, over 70% of salt consumption comes from processed foods and restaurants. trafficnews.bg · novini247.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Approximately 1.4 billion people aged 30 to 79 suffer from hypertension. trafficnews.bg · novini247.com · hu.euronews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The transition could prevent 10.17 million new cases of cardiovascular and chronic kidney diseases annually. trafficnews.bg · novini247.com · hu.euronews.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] A full transition to potassium salt could prevent 1.08 million deaths annually in China. trafficnews.bg · novini247.com