Potassium-rich foods, such as salmon, broccoli and spinach, can help your body eliminate more salt from your system and reduce the likelihood of heart-related illnesses <\/a>by 24 per cent. <\/p>\n In the study, researchers investigated whether removing excess sodium from the bloodstream, which is known to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease<\/a>, could help lower that risk.<\/p>\n The study found that, overall, higher potassium levels in the blood were linked to a significantly reduced risk of heart events, hospital stays or death from any cause.<\/p>\n The study’s lead author, professor Henning Bundgaard from Copenhagen University hospital, said: \u201cThe human body evolved on a potassium-rich, sodium-poor diet \u2013 when we were born and raised on the savannah and eating [fruit and vegetables],\u201d according to The Guardian<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cWe 1756551666 tend to go to [a] modern diet that is processed foods and, the more processed, we see more and more sodium in the food and less potassium, meaning that the ratio between the two has changed from 10:1 to 1:2 \u2013 a dramatic change.\u201d <\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n Professor Henning Bundgaard said a low intake of potassium-rich foods can increase the risk of arrhythmias, heart failure and death (Getty Images\/iStockphoto)<\/p>\n Potassium is vital for the functioning of the heart, he said, and a low intake can increase the risk of arrhythmias, heart failure and death.<\/p>\n The study trialled 1,200 patients with implantable defibrillators, assigning 600 of them to diets rich in potassium, and low in meat, which is rich in potassium, but also in sodium. The results were presented at Madrid\u2019s<\/a> European Society of Cardiology congress, the world\u2019s largest heart conference. <\/p>\n Professor Bundgaard said: \u201cWith a broader view we can say that higher dietary intake of potassium may not only benefit patients with heart disease but probably all of us, so maybe we should all reduce sodium and increase potassium content in our food.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Professor](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756551668_56_newFile-4.jpg\")
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