Switching salt with a substitute may lower stroke risk, study suggests

A recent study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Cardiology has shed light on the potential health benefits of switching regular salt with a potassium-based substitute. The research reveals that using a salt alternative could lead to a significant reduction in the risk of recurrent strokes and mortality. Specifically, the findings indicate a 14% decrease in the risk of recurrent stroke and a 12% reduction in mortality among those who used the salt substitute.

Salt substitutes, which typically contain potassium and lower levels of sodium, are becoming increasingly recommended as a way to prevent heart disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises a daily salt intake of less than five grams, roughly equivalent to two grams of sodium. As excessive sodium consumption has been linked to hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, the introduction of potassium-rich alternatives could serve as a healthier option.

The study, known as the Salt Substitute and Stroke Study (SSaSS), was initiated in 2014 and aimed to evaluate the effects of a salt substitute containing 75% sodium chloride and 25% potassium chloride compared to regular salt. Nearly 21,000 participants from 600 rural villages across five provinces in China were recruited, with the majority having a history of stroke and being over 60 years old.

Results showed that the group using the salt substitute experienced a significantly lower occurrence of recurrent strokes—16.8% compared to 19% in the group consuming regular salt. Additionally, the risk of death related to stroke decreased by 21% among those using the alternative.

Given these compelling findings, researchers suggest that switching to a potassium-based salt substitute could be a simple and cost-effective dietary intervention for stroke survivors. This study provides valuable evidence that can inform public health strategies globally, particularly for populations at high risk for cardiovascular diseases.

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