Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

Potassium-Rich Low-Sodium Salt Key To Tackle Hypertension, Heart Disease In India: Experts

Amid the growing burden of <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/hypertension">hypertension</a></span> and related <span>heart disease</span> in India, a team of experts has suggested switching to potassium-enriched low-sodium <span>salt</span> substitutes (LSSS). 

In India, more than 1 in 4 people have hypertension, and cumulatively, more than 90 per cent of adults with hypertension are either undiagnosed, untreated, or treated but live with uncontrolled hypertension. This burden needs to be tackled on an urgent basis

In view of this, experts from clinical medicine, public health, and nutrition released a consensus statement recommending potassium-enriched LSSS as an effective intervention to reduce hypertension and cardiovascular disease in India. 

Current estimates show that Indians consume between 8 and 11 grams of salt (equivalent to 3.2–4.4 grams of <span>sodium</span>) per day, nearly double the WHO’s recommended limit of 5 grams (2 grams of sodium). 

High sodium intake is a key driver of elevated blood pressure. At the same time, potassium plays a complementary role by helping counteract sodium’s effects—yet potassium intake in India remains below optimal levels. 

With nearly 80 per cent of sodium intake in India coming from salt added during cooking at the household level, experts emphasized that interventions focused on reducing salt use at home can have the greatest impact. 

“High-quality research shows India’s high sodium and low potassium intake is a key driver of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Low-sodium salt substitutes address both—cutting sodium and restoring potassium, which is key to lowering blood pressure. With no change in taste and appropriate safeguards, this is a safe, scalable solution for India’s NCD prevention strategy,” Prof. Vivekanand Jha, Executive Director of The George Institute for Global Health India. 

<h2>What Is A Low-sodium Salt Substitute? How Can It Boost Heart Health?</h2>

The low-sodium salt substitutes are composed of approximately 70–75 per cent sodium chloride and 25–30 per cent potassium chloride. It reduces sodium intake while increasing potassium consumption, thereby helping to lower blood pressure and reduce cardiovascular risk. 

The World Health Organization (WHO), in January 2025, released guidelines recommending potassium-enriched salt to combat hypertension and related heart risks. 

The WHO's guideline suggests using K-salt or potassium chloride instead of regular table salt, rich in sodium. It may reduce noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and chronic kidney disease by lowering blood pressure. 

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/nutrition/two-potassium-rich-foods-that-could-lower-blood-pressure-better-than-cutting-salt-article-151423923" data-type="tilCustomLink">Two Potassium-Rich Foods That Could Lower Blood Pressure Better Than Cutting Salt</a>

It also lowers the risks of other conditions associated with high sodium intake, such as gastric cancer. As per the WHO, every year 80 Lakh people die due to poor diet. Of these, 19 lakh deaths are attributable to high sodium intake.

These alternative salts contain less sodium than regular salt and often include potassium chloride (KCl), with or without other agents, to achieve a flavor similar to regular salt. 

Evidence shows potassium - enriched low-sodium salt substitutes are a practical, effective, and scalable solution. The new consensus also marks an important shift from evidence to action, aligned with the Government of India’s commitment to reduce population-level salt intake. 

India has committed to a global goal of reducing the average population level sodium intake by 30 per cent by 2030 to help prevent and control non-communicable diseases (NCDs). 

<h2>Is <span rel="noindex">Potassium Salt</span> Safe? </h2>

While the WHO guidelines urged people to partially replace table salt with potassium, concerns have been raised about the safety of LSSS that contain potassium, because too high a level of blood potassium (hyperkalemia) may be harmful, especially to individuals with impaired kidney function.

Experts noted that potassium is safe for most people, including many with early-stage kidney disease, but maintained that caution is primarily necessary for individuals with advanced stages of kidney disease or when potassium levels are already high. 

"While we have enough scientific data supporting the benefits of Low-Sodium Salt Substitutes, the evidence-to-action gap must be closed by treating LSSS as a ' dietary vaccine' to treat hypertension. It is the 'low-hanging fruit' of cardiology, a passive intervention that provides 24/7 cardiovascular protection without requiring patients to actually sacrifice the taste of their traditional diet," said Prof. Ambuj Roy, Department of Cardiology, AIIMS, New Delhi. 

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/nutrition/pink-salt-trick-recipe-weight-loss-does-pink-salt-really-make-a-difference-from-regular-table-salt-which-one-is-better-article-152525702" data-type="tilCustomLink">Pink Salt vs White Salt: What Difference Does It Make?</a>

Dr. Sandeep Mahajan, Professor, Nephrology, AIIMS, New Delhi, added, “The potential risks of low-sodium salt substitutes are often overstated relative to their population-level benefits. While a small subset of patients—particularly those with advanced kidney disease or on specific medications—require caution, this group is clearly identifiable and can be guided through simple screening and labelling measures". 

The expert noted that "nearly 90 per cent of the population can safely benefit from this intervention". 

The Consensus recommends priority actions such as: 

<ul><li>Policy integration: Include potassium-enriched LSSS in national sodium reduction strategies, hypertension and NCD guidelines, and update FSSAI standards to enable the safe, widespread use of potassium-enriched LSSS as edible salt. </li></ul>

<ul><li>Focus on everyday use: Prioritise replacing regular salt with potassium-enriched LSSS in homes and in government nutrition programmes and institutional kitchens, while requiring food industry reformulation to use potassium-enriched LSSS in high salt packaged foods and restaurant meals.</li></ul>

Health Conditions A-Z

health

Potassium salt

Low Sodium Salt

Salt

Hypertension

Heart Disease

Sodium

high blood pressure

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Amid the growing burden of hypertension and related heart disease in India, a team of experts has suggested switching to potassium-enriched low-sodium salt substitutes (LSSS). In India, more than 1 in 4 people have hypertension, and cumulatively, more than 90 per cent of adults with hypertension are either undiagnosed, untreated, or treated but live with uncontrolled hypertension. This burden needs to be tackled on an urgent basis In view of this, experts from clinical medicine, public health, and nutrition released a consensus statement recommending potassium-enriched LSSS as an effective intervention to reduce hypertension and cardiovascular disease in India.  Current estimates show that Indians consume between 8 and 11 grams of salt (equivalent to 3.2–4.4 grams of sodium) per day, nearly double the WHO’s recommended limit of 5 grams (2 grams of sodium).  High sodium intake is a key driver of elevated blood pressure. At the same time, potassium plays a complementary role by helping counteract sodium’s effects—yet potassium intake in India remains below optimal levels. With nearly 80 per cent of sodium intake in India coming from salt added during cooking at the household level, experts emphasized that interventions focused on reducing salt use at home can have the greatest impact.  “High-quality research shows India’s high sodium and low potassium intake is a key driver of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Low-sodium salt substitutes address both—cutting sodium and restoring potassium, which is key to lowering blood pressure. With no change in taste and appropriate safeguards, this is a safe, scalable solution for India’s NCD prevention strategy,” Prof. Vivekanand Jha, Executive Director of The George Institute for Global Health India. What Is A Low-sodium Salt Substitute? How Can It Boost Heart Health?The low-sodium salt substitutes are composed of approximately 70–75 per cent sodium chloride and 25–30 per cent potassium chloride. It reduces sodium intake while increasing potassium consumption, thereby helping to lower blood pressure and reduce cardiovascular risk. The World Health Organization (WHO), in January 2025, released guidelines recommending potassium-enriched salt to combat hypertension and related heart risks. The WHO's guideline suggests using K-salt or potassium chloride instead of regular table salt, rich in sodium. It may reduce noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and chronic kidney disease by lowering blood pressure. Also read: Two Potassium-Rich Foods That Could Lower Blood Pressure Better Than Cutting SaltIt also lowers the risks of other conditions associated with high sodium intake, such as gastric cancer. As per the WHO, every year 80 Lakh people die due to poor diet. Of these, 19 lakh deaths are attributable to high sodium intake.These alternative salts contain less sodium than regular salt and often include potassium chloride (KCl), with or without other agents, to achieve a flavor similar to regular salt. Evidence shows potassium - enriched low-sodium salt substitutes are a practical, effective, and scalable solution. The new consensus also marks an important shift from evidence to action, aligned with the Government of India’s commitment to reduce population-level salt intake. India has committed to a global goal of reducing the average population level sodium intake by 30 per cent by 2030 to help prevent and control non-communicable diseases (NCDs).  Is Potassium Salt Safe? While the WHO guidelines urged people to partially replace table salt with potassium, concerns have been raised about the safety of LSSS that contain potassium, because too high a level of blood potassium (hyperkalemia) may be harmful, especially to individuals with impaired kidney function.Experts noted that potassium is safe for most people, including many with early-stage kidney disease, but maintained that caution is primarily necessary for individuals with advanced stages of kidney disease or when potassium levels are already high. "While we have enough scientific data supporting the benefits of Low-Sodium Salt Substitutes, the evidence-to-action gap must be closed by treating LSSS as a ' dietary vaccine' to treat hypertension. It is the 'low-hanging fruit' of cardiology, a passive intervention that provides 24/7 cardiovascular protection without requiring patients to actually sacrifice the taste of their traditional diet," said Prof. Ambuj Roy, Department of Cardiology, AIIMS, New Delhi.  Also read: Pink Salt vs White Salt: What Difference Does It Make?Dr. Sandeep Mahajan, Professor, Nephrology, AIIMS, New Delhi, added, “The potential risks of low-sodium salt substitutes are often overstated relative to their population-level benefits. While a small subset of patients—particularly those with advanced kidney disease or on specific medications—require caution, this group is clearly identifiable and can be guided through simple screening and labelling measures". The expert noted that "nearly 90 per cent of the population can safely benefit from this intervention". The Consensus recommends priority actions such as: Policy integration: Include potassium-enriched LSSS in national sodium reduction strategies, hypertension and NCD guidelines, and update FSSAI standards to enable the safe, widespread use of potassium-enriched LSSS as edible salt. Focus on everyday use: Prioritise replacing regular salt with potassium-enriched LSSS in homes and in government nutrition programmes and institutional kitchens, while requiring food industry reformulation to use potassium-enriched LSSS in high salt packaged foods and restaurant meals.