Did you think it was healthy? The hidden danger in salt substitutes

A new study in Nature Health found that potassium-enriched salt substitutes could prevent millions of deaths from heart and kidney disease, but may be dangerous for people with kidney problems or those taking certain medications.

A new study published in the journal Nature Health found that replacing regular table salt with a potassium-enriched substitute could prevent nearly three million deaths per year worldwide, as well as more than ten million new cases of heart and kidney disease. Researchers from Australia analyzed data from 193 countries. However, doctors warn that the substitute may be dangerous for people with advanced kidney disease or those taking certain blood pressure medications, due to the risk of hyperkalemia – a dangerous buildup of potassium in the blood. The World Health Organization recommends that these populations avoid the substitute unless approved by a doctor. The article emphasizes that there is no one-size-fits-all solution.