Blood pressure is higher in Western populations such as the UK, who eat high levels of sodium - salt - found in processed food than societies which consume more natural foods - which are higher in potassium.
However, population studies demonstrate a relation between ‘dietary potassium and lower blood pressure’, regardless of sodium intake.
Eating potassium-foods could be the cure for high blood pressure, scientists claim.
Nat Hawes, author of Nature Cures said: “Potassium and calcium have an important role in regulating high blood pressure.
"When dietary potassium is high, kidneys excrete more salt and water, which increases potassium excretion," said Professor McDonough.
"Eating a high potassium diet is like taking a diuretic."
Professor McDonagh said human diets would have consisted of potassium-rich foods - anything they could grow.
Diets would have been low in sodium - which is why humans have evolved to crave it, she said.
Professor McDonagh explained: “When dietary potassium is low, the balancing act uses sodium retention to hold onto the limited potassium, which is like eating a higher sodium diet.”
The report said: “Basically, the results reinforce the conclusion that consuming a high-K+ diet is similar to taking a NCC-inhibiting thiazide diuretic, without the side effects.”
Thiazide diuretics are a common treatment for high blood pressure.
The report said public policy should develop to encourage people to increase intake of potassium.
“Adults (19-64 years) need 3,500mg of potassium a day. You should be able to get all the potassium you need from your daily diet.
“Taking too much potassium can cause stomach pain, feeling sick and diarrhoea.”
Follow NEWS.am Medicine on Facebook and Twitter
month
week
day
