Peruvian researchers advance safer salt formulation to support heart health
Researchers at Cayetano Heredia University in Peru conducted a study on a safer table salt blend. The product contains 75% sodium chloride and 25% potassium chloride, a composition designed to lower cardiovascular risk. Findings were reported in PubMed-indexed literature and point to meaningful health benefits for adults consuming the test salt.
The salt substitute, based on a 3:1 ratio of sodium chloride to potassium chloride, was created in 2015 with backing from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute in the United States. Potassium chloride is included because potassium helps relax arterial walls, which can contribute to lower blood pressure. Traditional table salt is mainly sodium chloride, so the new mix aims to balance mineral intake while preserving flavor and usability.
In a field study involving 2,376 volunteers, researchers monitored participants over a period extending to 3.5 years. Initially, only a portion of participants used the new salt, but over time the entire group transitioned away from conventional sodium chloride salt. The longitudinal observations revealed a significant reduction in hypertension incidence among the group, along with an overall decrease in average blood pressure levels.
Among participants aged 60 and older with hypertension, the blood pressure reduction measured about 2.17 mmHg. This level of change is linked to an estimated 10% lower risk of death from stroke and a 7% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease. These findings underscore the potential public health impact of replacing some dietary sodium with potassium-containing salt substitutes.
Researchers emphasised that the updated formulation serves as a practical tool in the broader fight against cardiovascular diseases. By balancing potassium and sodium intake through everyday seasoning, this salt could become part of medical practice as doctors look for safer dietary options for heart protection. The study hints at the possibility that such salt substitutes may one day be recommended as part of routine dietary guidance to support cardiovascular health. [Attribution: PubMed]
Earlier work by other scientists explored links between hematopoiesis and nutrient folic acid, illustrating how micronutrients can influence health processes beyond blood pressure. The current findings add to a growing body of evidence that dietary minerals, carefully balanced in common foods, can affect long-term health outcomes across populations.