What are K-Salts? WHO recommended salt substitute to reduce BP; Here’s who should AVOID it

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World Health Organisation data states that over 1.9 million deaths across the globe are due to overconsumption of sodium.

How much salt is too much salt? And do the salt we consume is safe enough? The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued latest guidelines over sodium consumption. New guidelines speak of substituting regular table salt shakers with K-salt or potassium chloride. This may help in reducing the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure or hypertension.
All About K-Salts
Regular table salts have sodium chloride but the K-salts or potassium based substitutes have potassium chloride. Certain evidence suggests that potassium helps in reducing blood pressure. Beans, nuts, vegetables, bananas, papaya, are few good sources of natural potassium.
“Lower-sodium salt substitutes (LSSS) are alternatives to regular salt. They contain less sodium than regular salt and often include potassium chloride, with or without other agents, to achieve a flavour similar to regular salt. The replacement of some of the sodium chloride by potassium chloride may provide advantages, compared with regular salt, in addition to the sodium-lowering effect. The use of LSSS is increasingly considered by national health authorities and public health organizations as a potential sodium reduction strategy to lower blood pressure and CVD risk, and their use is on the rise. However, there has been no global guidance on the use of these substitutes. Concerns have been raised about the safety of LSSS that contain potassium, because too high a level of blood potassium (hyperkalaemia) may be harmful, especially to individuals with impaired kidney function,” reads WHO statement.
Who Should Avoid It?
According to WHO, sodium intake should be reduced to 2 g/day. The guidelines are not yet applicable to children because they are vulnerable age groups. Pregnant women, individuals with kidney impairment or with other circumstances or conditions that might compromise potassium excretion also should take proper medical consultation before making significant changes.
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