A new study presented at the European Society of Cardiology convention in Madrid, Spain, found that increasing intake of potassium-rich foods was associated with a significant improvement in heart health.
The researchers said the group of participants in the study who consumed more potassium experienced a 24% decrease in hospitalizations for heart failure and irregular heartbeat.
The study included 1,200 patients in Denmark who had implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). Some individuals received standard treatments, while others were advised to increase their potassium intake through diet by consuming foods such as spinach, bananas, cabbage, avocados, beets, lentils, baked potatoes, salmon, broccoli, and more.
The researchers said that higher blood potassium levels are associated with a significantly lower risk of heart events. The essential mineral and electrolyte helps the body remove excess sodium, maintain a steady heartbeat, and promote normal blood pressure. Together, these all contribute to combating the development of cardiovascular disease.
In July, The Dallas Express reported on a study that found death rates attributed to heart attacks have plummeted by nearly 90% over the past 50 years. However, deaths from certain types of heart disease, like arrhythmia, hypertensive heart disease, and heart failure, have actually risen by more than 80% in the United States. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease persists as the leading cause of death in the country.
“When we were born and raised on the savannah and eating [fruit and vegetables], the human body evolved on a potassium-rich, sodium-poor diet,” said the study’s lead author, Professor Henning Bundgaard of Copenhagen University Hospital, per CNBC.
Today, however, people tend to eat a diet filled with processed foods, which contain high levels of sodium and less potassium.
Despite the purported benefits, cardiologists and nutritionists advise against starting high-dose potassium supplementation before consulting a physician. Too much potassium can be harmful for people with kidney issues or those on certain medications.