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You know the scientists are desperate when they turn to classic literature.
On Tuesday, a trio of researchers, including two from Sydney, published an editorial in Annals of Internal Medicine linking the protagonist of the 17th-century novel Don Quixote to new research that found potassium-enriched salt lowers blood pressure and reduces death by heart attack and stroke.
Remember Salt Bae? A little potassium could make his sprinkle extra sexy (and heart-friendly).
This potassium salt, sometimes called heart salt or “the Cinderella electrolyte”, contains 75 per cent normal sodium chloride and 25 per cent potassium chloride. Its widespread use could arrest rising rates of high blood pressure, resulting in “an entire shift of the population’s blood pressure curve”.
That’s a tiny dietary tweak for a massive public health win.
But, the editorialising scientists continue, “this transformative shift will require the relentless pursuit of progress, idealism, and societal well-being embodied by Don Quixote”.
Admittedly, I haven’t read the 1000-plus pages of Miguel de Cervantes’ epic work, often described as the world’s first modern novel, so I can’t illuminate how its themes relate to sodium and hypertension.
But I have read up on the latest studies that have scientists exasperated about sodium intake and excited by potassium salt, to make sure we’re not tilting at windmills. And there is an important caveat to the potassium salt hype.
The tiny dietary tweak with a giant health impact
11
5
09.04.2024
Examine, a free weekly newsletter covering science with a sceptical, evidence-based eye, is sent every Tuesday. You’re reading an excerpt – Sign up to get the whole newsletter in your inbox.
You know the scientists are desperate when they turn to classic literature.
On Tuesday, a trio of researchers, including two from Sydney, published an editorial in Annals of Internal........
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