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Introduction
It has been consistently shown in research that elevated dietary sodium consumption is associated with high blood pressure and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. In addition, low levels of dietary potassium intake are associated with these same risks. However, there is some debate on how to characterize these relationships.
In a study published in European Heart Journal in July 2022, using data from the EPIC-Norfolk study, researchers attempted to answer whether the associations between potassium and both blood pressure and cardiovascular disease: 1) differ between men and women? and 2) depend on daily sodium intake.
In this episode Dr. Alan Flanagan and Danny Lennon discuss the details of this study and then link it to the overall evidence base and what this may mean for potassium (and sodium) intake considerations.
Related resources
- The study: Wouda et al., Eur Heart J. 2022 Jul 21;ehac313
- Episode #375: Salt, Sodium & Health
- Episode #415: Prof. Bruce Neal – Can Salt Substitutes Reduce Cardiac Events & Death?
- Background Context
- EPIC Cohort
- Study Design & Intake Assessment
- Results: Potassium & Sodium Intakes
- Results: Blood Pressure
- Results: Cardiovascular Disease
- Conclusions
- Practical Application
The Hosts
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Dr. Alan Flanagan has a PhD in nutrition from the University of Surrey, where his doctoral research focused on circadian rhythms, feeding, and chrononutrition.
This work was based on human intervention trials. He also has a Masters in Nutritional Medicine from the same institution.
Dr. Flanagan is a regular co-host of Sigma Nutrition Radio. He also produces written content for Sigma Nutrition, as part of his role as Research Communication Officer.
Danny Lennon has a master’s degree (MSc.) in Nutritional Sciences from University College Cork, and he is the founder of Sigma Nutrition.
Danny is currently a member of the Advisory Board of the Sports Nutrition Association, the global regulatory body responsible for the standardisation of best practice in the sports nutrition profession.
Introduction to this Episode
It has been consistently shown in research that elevated dietary sodium consumption is associated with high blood pressure and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. In addition, low levels of dietary potassium intake are associated with these same risks. However, there is some debate on how to characterize these relationships.
In a study published in European Heart Journal in July 2022, using data from the EPIC-Norfolk study, researchers attempted to answer whether the associations between potassium and both blood pressure and cardiovascular disease: 1) differ between men and women? and 2) depend on daily sodium intake.
In this episode Dr. Alan Flanagan and Danny Lennon discuss the details of this study and then link it to the overall evidence base and what this may mean for potassium (and sodium) intake considerations.
Connection to Previous Episodes
Episode #375: Salt, Sodium & Health
- Potassium can moderate the effect of sodium on BP and CVD, but not abolish an effect
- Stratifying by higher/lower potassium and higher/lower sodium, it seems higher potassium has large benefit at lower sodium intakes, but at higher sodium intakes people are still remaining at high-risk even when potassium is high
Episode #415: Prof. Bruce Neal – Can Salt Substitutes Reduce Cardiac Events & Death?
- (29.45 – 34.25): Prof. Neal addresses the claims that the BP lowering (and CV) effect is solely down to potassium, and not sodium
- BP reduction in SSaSS was likely due to a combination of sodium lowering and increasing potassium intake (baseline potassium was low)
- The reductions in CV could be for a variety of mechanisms BUT it still most likely that the majority of benefit is directly due to BP lowering
