A new study from the University of Waterloo in Canada suggests that eating more foods rich in potassium—like bananas and broccoli—might be better for lowering blood pressure than just cutting down on salt.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects over 30% of adults around the world. It raises the risk of serious health problems like heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and even dementia.
For a long time, doctors have told people with high blood pressure to eat less salt. But now, new research shows that adding more potassium to your meals may be an even better way to help.
Professor Anita Layton, who teaches at the University of Waterloo, explains that potassium may play a bigger role than we thought. Potassium and sodium are both minerals that help the body in many ways.
They are called electrolytes and help with muscle movements, sending signals in the body, and keeping water levels balanced. But if you have too much sodium and not enough potassium, your body doesn’t work as well—and your blood pressure can go up.
Melissa Stadt, a PhD student and the lead author of the study, says that long ago, people used to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, which are high in potassium and low in salt. Our bodies may have gotten used to working best with that kind of diet.
But today, many people eat too much salty food and not enough potassium. This might be why high blood pressure is more common in modern countries compared to small, traditional communities.
Earlier studies have shown that eating more potassium can help lower blood pressure. But this new study went a step further by using a computer model to understand how potassium and sodium work together in the body. They found that getting the right balance between these two minerals is key.
The model also showed something interesting—men and women may react differently. Men are more likely to get high blood pressure, but they may also benefit more from fixing the potassium-to-sodium ratio.
The researchers believe that using these types of computer models is helpful. They can test ideas quickly, without needing to do big or risky experiments on people. This saves time and money and helps guide better health advice.
In short, the study says that to manage your blood pressure, don’t just think about cutting salt. Adding more potassium-rich foods to your diet could be even more helpful—especially for men. What you eat every day really does matter for your health.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies that black licorice could cause dangerous high blood pressure, and this common plant nutrient could help reduce high blood pressure.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies about how coffee influence your risk of high blood pressure, and results showing this olive oil could reduce blood pressure in healthy people.
The study was published in the American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology.
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