Potassium-enriched salt could prevent nearly 3 million annual deaths worldwide, study finds

AKIPRESS.COM – Replacing regular table salt with a potassium-enriched alternative could prevent 2.96 million deaths and over 10 million new cases of cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease annually worldwide, according to a study published Nov. 4, 2026, in Nature Health by researchers at The George Institute for Global Health in Australia.

Using a comparative risk assessment model across 193 countries, the researchers evaluated five substitution scenarios using a salt blend consisting of 75% sodium chloride and 25% potassium chloride.

Complete replacement of regular table and commercial salt could reduce annual cardiovascular and kidney disease mortality by 14.6%.

While the transition offers massive global health benefits, particularly in countries like China and India, the authors note that successful implementation will require addressing cost barriers, expanding production, and managing hyperkalemia risks for patients with advanced kidney disease.