Potassium‑enriched salt could avert millions of deaths worldwide
Researchers estimate that replacing regular table salt with potassium‑enriched salt could prevent 2.96 million deaths and 10.17 million new cases of cardiovascular and chronic kidney disease each year. The projection covers 193 countries and is based on the high global burden of heart disease, which caused 19.2 million deaths in 2023, and the prevalence of hypertension affecting about one‑third of adults aged 30‑79 (roughly 1.4 billion people). The alternative salt swaps part of sodium chloride for potassium chloride while retaining the look, taste and cooking properties of ordinary salt.
Key facts
- Researchers from The George Institute for Global Health in Australia performed the analysis.
- The study’s model projects benefits across all 193 nations evaluated.
- Potassium‑enriched salt could reduce both cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease incidence.
- Hypertension prevalence data comes from the World Health Organization.
- Cardiovascular disease remains the top cause of global mortality and disability.
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Why it matters
A simple dietary change could dramatically reduce major non‑communicable diseases.
What changed
First published from Euronews