SALT SUBSTITUTE REDUCES CHANCES FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Substituting regular table salt (100% sodium chloride) with salt substitute (62% sodium chloride, 25% potassium chloride, 12.5% flavorings) reduced the chances of developing high blood pressure by 40% over a two-year period. So says a study reported in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Those who continued regular salt developed high blood pressure much more frequently. This finding has translated into a powerful statement suggesting this change be made for most people. 

The folks in this study were all over age 55. Substituting pseudo salt for real salt resulted in a drop of 7.1 mm Hg systolic and 1.9 mm Hg diastolic in those patients. Those folks who were given regular salt had increases of 7.0 mm Hg systolic and 2.1 mm Hg diastolic. Researchers studied people over age 55, but think salt substitute would benefit younger adults, as well. 

The culprit in both regular and substitute salt is sodium. Sodium (Na) is a chemical element found naturally in the earth’s crust, but is also a component of many chemical compounds. Many sodium-containing compounds are found in the foods and medications we ingest. Taking an excessive amount of sodium into our bodies leads to high blood pressure because sodium causes us to retain (hold on to) water within our blood vessels. Increased volume of fluid within our circulation system increases the pressure in the walls of our blood vessels and is one of the causes for high blood pressure. When there is more water in the hose, the tension in the wall of the hose is increased—high blood pressure. So: more sodium equals high blood pressure. Less sodium equals lower blood pressure. 

Salt substitute needs to be used carefully in patients with chronic kidney disease. Potassium chloride found in the salt substitute is easily retained in the blood stream of patients with failing kidneys. High potassium can lead to fatal arrhythmias. These folks all have high blood pressure so eliminating both regular or substitute salt is advisable in these patients.  

Reference: Brooks M. Salt Substitute Reduces Risk for New Hypertension Medscape Clinical Digest. 2024 Apr 24.