Salt doesn’t affect blood pressure but potassium lowers it, study says

Sodium has generally been associated with high blood pressure for a number of years. It isn’t something that has been debated much throughout the medical science community because it’s widely known to this point. However, some interesting data has now been revealed that shows sodium intake, amongst teens, might have little, to no impact on blood pressure in those individuals. Interestingly, this is something that harshly contests that long-standing fact. It reveals just how much can be challenged when new data and new studies are introduced.

The study found that after analyzing the eating habits of girls starting around 9 and 10 years old, and then following that eating behavior through teenage years – that ultimately lessening of sodium intake didn’t do anything to lower blood pressure. Scientists point out that sodium intake of more than 3,000 m/g per day – are not any more adversely impacted by that intake, as it relates to raising blood pressure – compared to those who took less than 3,000 m/g per day.

Salt-Potassium-Blodd-Pressure

Linda Van Horn of Chicago’s Northwestern University pointed out that, “The research has shown over and over again that there is really nothing healthy about a high sodium diet and that the majority of the population is consuming far more sodium than is needed.” At the end of the day it comes down to maintaining a healthy diet, and that’s the most important factor to remember here. It isn’t just about lowering sodium intake, or lowering blood pressure – but about creating a healthier lifestyle and diet for people of all ages.

Specifically though this goes along with the overall narrative that it comes down to addressing healthiness of our children. Young people in the United States particularly, are given some of the biggest challenges when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle. It’s important to note that this is just the latest piece of information that has been put out there to reveal just how important reducing sodium intake is, despite this positive study.

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  • And here I thought there might be something about potassium in this little article for some strange reason.

  • As someone who has to take potassium pills twice a day, otherwise I get extremely gut-busting barfy and what-not, I was hoping this article had some info, but the word “potassium” doesn’t even appear in the article other than the title.