Healthier salt could prevent millions of deaths a year, study finds

Healthier salt could prevent millions of deaths a year, study finds

Healthier salt could prevent millions of deaths a year, study finds

Switching ordinary salt for a potassium-enriched version could prevent almost three million deaths and more than ten million new cases of heart and kidney disease every year, according to a study covering 193 countries. Researchers at The George Institute for Global Health found that replacing some sodium chloride with potassium chloride tackles both too much sodium and too little potassium, two drivers of high blood pressure. Even replacing only household salt could prevent an estimated 1.85 million deaths a year, the study in Nature Health found. The World Health Organization endorsed potassium-enriched salt in 2025, though experts note it may not suit everyone, including people with kidney disease.

Switching ordinary salt for a potassium-enriched version could prevent almost three million deaths and more than ten million new cases of heart and kidney disease every year, according to a study covering 193 countries. Researchers at The George Institute for Global Health found that replacing some sodium chloride with potassium chloride tackles both too much sodium and too little potassium, two drivers of high blood pressure. Even replacing only household salt could prevent an estimated 1.85 million deaths a year, the study in Nature Health found. The World Health Organization endorsed potassium-enriched salt in 2025, though experts note it may not suit everyone, including people with kidney disease.

Switching ordinary salt for a potassium-enriched version could prevent almost three million deaths and more than ten million new cases of heart and kidney disease every year, according to a study covering 193 countries. Researchers at The George Institute for Global Health found that replacing some sodium chloride with potassium chloride tackles both too much sodium and too little potassium, two drivers of high blood pressure. Even replacing only household salt could prevent an estimated 1.85 million deaths a year, the study in Nature Health found. The World Health Organization endorsed potassium-enriched salt in 2025, though experts note it may not suit everyone, including people with kidney disease.