New research suggests that potassium may essentially “cancel out” the negative hypertensive effects of sodium. In a study of almost 3,000 participants urine samples were collected intermittently over either 18 or 36 months. The participants, all 30-54 years old and had blood pressure just below levels considered high, were tracked for 10-15 years. Those who had high sodium levels were 20% more likely to suffer from various forms of cardiovascular disease; however, these results were not considered statistically significant. In contrast, those who had the highest sodium-to-potassium ratios were 50% more likely to develop cardiovascular disease. This significant finding has the potential to totally chance the way people view sodium and hypertension.

The study recommends that healthy individuals between 19-50 years old should consume 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day (one teaspoon of table salt) and that should consume 4.7 grams of potassium, assuming they have no personal medical contradiction to said recommendations.

Dr. Paul Whelton was the senior author of the study found in the January 2009 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine A summary of the study can be found here: http://loyolamedicine.org/News/News_Releases/news_release_detail.cfm?var_news_release_id=973440913.