A new study from China suggests that replacing regular salt with a mix that contains potassium may help stroke survivors lower their risk of having another stroke and even improve their chances of living longer.
The study was part of a large international research project called the Salt Substitute and Stroke Study (SSaSS). Researchers focused on people in rural northern China who had already suffered a stroke.
Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, and in China, the chances of having another stroke are especially high. About 17% of stroke survivors in China have another stroke within one year, and over 40% have one within five years.
One major reason for this high stroke risk is diet. Many people in China consume too much sodium (salt) and not enough potassium. Sodium can raise blood pressure, which increases the risk of strokes. Potassium, on the other hand, helps lower blood pressure and can protect the heart and blood vessels.
In this study, researchers looked at data from 15,249 stroke survivors who were part of a bigger trial involving nearly 21,000 people from 600 villages. Instead of using regular salt, some participants were given a special salt mixture that contained 75% regular salt and 25% potassium chloride.
Others continued using normal salt. The study followed these people for several years to see if there were differences in their health outcomes.
The results were promising. People who used the potassium-enriched salt had a 14% lower risk of having another stroke compared to those who kept using regular salt. This was consistent with earlier findings from the full study, which included people with and without a history of stroke.
The researchers also found that blood pressure was lower in the group that used the special salt. High blood pressure is one of the biggest risk factors for strokes, so reducing it can have a major impact.
Over the course of the study, there were 2,735 cases of recurrent stroke, with 691 being fatal and 2,044 being nonfatal. However, the group that used the potassium-rich salt had fewer strokes overall.
One of the most significant findings was that hemorrhagic strokes—caused by bleeding in the brain—were 30% lower in the potassium salt group. Additionally, deaths related to stroke dropped by 21% in this group.
Some people might worry that extra potassium could cause problems, especially for those with kidney disease. But the researchers found no significant increase in hyperkalemia, a condition where potassium levels in the blood get too high. This suggests that the salt substitute is safe for most people.
What This Study Means
The study shows that a simple change—switching to a salt that contains some potassium—can help stroke survivors reduce their risk of having another stroke and improve their chances of living longer. This is especially important for areas where people eat a lot of salt and have limited access to medical care.
Since this method is easy and affordable, researchers suggest that more people, especially in high-risk areas, should consider using potassium-enriched salt instead of regular salt. This small dietary change could make a big difference in preventing strokes and saving lives.
Study Review and Analysis
This study provides strong evidence that salt substitutes with potassium are an effective way to reduce stroke risk, particularly for people who have already had a stroke. The findings align with previous research on the harmful effects of too much sodium and the benefits of potassium.
However, it’s important to note that this study focused on rural China, where high salt intake is common. The results might not apply to people in countries with different diets or healthcare access. Also, while no major safety concerns were found, people with kidney disease should still be cautious about increasing their potassium intake.
Overall, this study suggests that using a potassium-based salt substitute is a simple, low-cost strategy that can help stroke survivors live longer and healthier lives.
If you care about stroke, please read studies about how to eat to prevent stroke, and diets high in flavonoids could help reduce stroke risk.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about how Mediterranean diet could protect your brain health, and wild blueberries can benefit your heart and brain.
The research findings can be found in JAMA Cardiology.
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