One study showed that increasing potassium intake through food (you must click here to find foods rich in potassium) would reduce the risk of developing hypertension would lower the pressure and hypertensive individuals.
Hypertension is the leading cause of medical consultation and drug consumption in the United States, explained two studies conducted in Nashville, Tennessee, and published in a special supplement of the Journal of Clinical Hypertension. Doctors Mark C. Houston, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, and Karen J. Harper, of Harper Medical Communications, Inc., in Nashville, said the adequate intake of potassium is one of the reasons why vegetarians have a low incidence of heart disease.
In isolated societies that have a reduced sodium diet rich in fruits and vegetables, thus providing a high level of potassium, hypertension affects only 1% of the population. The typical American diet contains twice the sodium and potassium than half the recommended dietary guidelines. The low level of potassium favors the prevalence of hypertension in the U.S..
