Want lower blood pressure? Eat more of this fruit
A new study suggests that increasing potassium intake through foods like bananas may be more effective in lowering blood pressure than solely reducing sodium.
High blood pressure, affecting nearly a third of adults globally, increases risks of heart disease, stroke, and other conditions.
While reducing salt intake is commonly advised, the study, published in the American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology, emphasises the importance of a balanced potassium-to-sodium ratio.
A mathematical model used in the study showed that men are more susceptible than women to high blood pressure but also respond better to increased potassium.
Researchers suggest that modern Western diets, high in sodium and low in potassium, may contribute to the prevalence of high blood pressure in industrialised societies.
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