Eating potassium-rich foods like bananas and broccoli may be more effective in lowering blood pressure than simply cutting back on salt, according to a study by the University of Waterloo in Canada.Published in the American Journal of Physiology–Renal Physiology, the study highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy potassium-to-sodium ratio in the diet to manage hypertension, which affects over 30 per cent of adults globally.
“Usually, we’re told to eat less salt for high blood pressure, but our research suggests adding more potassium-rich foods might have a greater benefit,” said Professor Anita Layton of the University of Waterloo.
Using a mathematical model, the researchers found that potassium helps flush excess sodium from the body, lowering blood pressure. The study also noted that men are more prone to hypertension than pre-menopausal women but also respond better to increased potassium intake.
Lead author Melissa Stadt added that modern diets are often high in sodium and low in potassium the reverse of early human diets possibly explaining the rise in hypertension in industrialised societies.
The findings suggest a shift in dietary advice to not just reduce salt, but also boost potassium through fruits and vegetables to help combat high blood pressure.