Recently, there has been increased awareness of the risks of sodium (salt) intake, as sodium (salt) can increase blood pressure and increase the risk of non-communicable diseases such as heart disease and stroke.

But nutritionists and cardiovascular experts say taking potassium salt substitutes instead of table salt (sodium chloride) may reduce those risks.

Experts say the sodium and chloride in salt can cause extracellular fluid volume to expand, which over time can increase blood pressure and lead to stroke, heart failure, heart attacks, and kidney disease. He said that there is a sex.

Experts call for replacing sodium chloride with salty potassium chloride, while reducing salt intake from current global levels of 9 to 12 grams per day to less than the recommended level of 5 grams per day. He said it would have a major impact on health. Blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.

Experts said salt-reduction strategies are the best way to prevent non-communicable diseases worldwide and could prevent more than 2.5 million deaths a year from heart attacks and strokes.

According to the World Health Organization, potassium salt substitutes are an alternative to regular salt, both as an ingredient in prepackaged foods and as salt added to foods and beverages by consumers.

The WHO noted that the use of potassium salt substitutes, also known as low-sodium salt substitutes, is increasingly being considered by national health authorities and public health agencies as a potential blood pressure-lowering strategy.

“The amount of salt you consume in your diet is an important determinant of blood pressure levels, hypertension, and overall cardiovascular risk. 17.5 million people die annually from cardiovascular disease, accounting for 31% of global deaths. It is estimated that %.

“It is also estimated that one in 10 deaths from cardiovascular disease is attributable to salt intake of more than 5g per day,” the UN agency added.

In an exclusive interview with Punch Healthwise, registered dietitian Olusola Maromo said that salt is essential for the body, but consuming too much of it can increase blood pressure and cause various damage to the body. he said.

High blood pressure is linked to heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and other health-related problems, he said, adding that potassium salt substitutes offer a flavoring alternative for manufacturers looking for ways to reduce sodium. Ta.

Additionally, “Potassium has many important functions. It allows nerves to respond to stimulation and muscles, including the heart, to contract. It reduces the effect that sodium in table salt has on blood pressure. Masu.

“It helps move nutrients into cells and waste products out of cells. Salt substitutes made solely from potassium chloride look like regular salt and have a salty taste, but they don’t contain sodium. Is not …

“However, potassium doesn’t activate taste cells in the same way as sodium, which is why people complain that these alternatives often leave a bitter, metallic aftertaste. Salt Substitutes contains potassium chloride alone or mixed with regular salt.

Maromo adds that potassium salt is less processed than table salt and retains trace minerals that add flavor and color, while sea salt is also available as fine grains or crystals and is often healthier than table salt. He claimed that it was advertised as being

On the effects on cardiovascular health, Dr. Akinsanya Olusegun-Joseph, Consultant Cardiologist, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idyalaba, said the human body needs a small amount of salt for optimal health and development, but too much salt. He said that it has a negative effect on the body. to hold water.

“Increased fluid in the body increases blood pressure, putting strain on blood vessels, the heart, and kidneys. This puts people with high blood pressure at higher risk of heart disease and stroke.

“Therefore, it is safe to say that everyone should pay attention to and reduce their dietary salt intake. Potassium salts are available in Nigeria and may be recommended for some patients. Many people don’t know how much salt they consume each day.

“Excessive intake of sodium and the resulting retention of fluid in the body is very dangerous. However, potassium has the effect of dilating blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure. Spiral resistance decreases, which lowers blood pressure.

“Sodium causes fluid retention, but potassium does not. Potassium lowers high blood pressure, but sodium increases it. Therefore, when compared to sodium chloride, potassium salt substitutes have significant There are advantages.”

To underline this position, a study published in the National Library of Medicine by Claire Farland and her team entitled “Possibility of using salt substitutes to lower blood pressure” We confirmed that the increase was associated with a decrease in blood pressure, independent of sodium. intake.

The study also suggests that increasing potassium intake may reduce the negative effects of high sodium intake on blood pressure, thus making the sodium-to-potassium ratio in the diet a key factor in blood pressure. This shows that it is a significant determining factor.

“Both the sodium and chloride in salt cause an increase in blood pressure, leading to stroke, heart failure, heart attack, and even kidney disease,” the study states.

The authors recommend reducing sodium use in food manufacturing and processing and considering using potassium-based sodium substitutes.

“Further consideration will be needed on how best to label salt substitutes (i.e. potassium) in processed foods to ensure that those who may be adversely affected are aware. “may be the case,” the study recommends.