A study published in The American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology in March 2025 by scientists from the University of Waterloo suggests that increasing dietary potassium may be more effective in managing blood pressure than simply reducing salt intake. The research, conducted by Melissa Stadt and Anita Layton, used a computational model that simulates blood pressure regulation by integrating equations related to kidney function, heart activity, blood vessels, the digestive tract, renal sympathetic nerves, and hormones. The model calculates urinary excretion, blood volume, and resulting pressure. The code and simulations are available in open access, allowing other researchers to test and challenge the findings. The study found that increasing the ratio of potassium to sodium in the diet could lower blood pressure more effectively than reducing sodium alone. Foods such as bananas and broccoli were cited as examples of potassium-rich options. The research highlights that hypertension, which affects more than 30% of adults worldwide, remains a leading cause of coronary disease and stroke. The study also noted that men and women do not react to hypertension in the same way. Men are more likely to develop hypertension before menopause and may respond better to an increase in the potassium-to-sodium ratio. However, the reasons for this difference remain unclear, and the question of how women respond after menopause remains open. Stadt proposed an evolutionary explanation, suggesting that human dietary patterns have shifted from a potassium-rich and sodium-poor diet, typical of ancestral diets, to a modern Western diet that is high in sodium and low in potassium. This shift may explain why hypertension is more prevalent in industrialized societies. The researchers emphasized that the study is based on a model and has not yet been tested on human patients. They advised against changing antihypertensive treatments based on the simulation and noted that official recommendations remain the reference for managing blood pressure. Current guidelines recommend limiting salt intake to about five grams per day, equivalent to a level teaspoon, including all sources. These recommendations have not changed following the study, and the World Health Organization sets a comparable limit. Potassium intake is generally obtained through diet rather than supplements, as high doses can be risky for individuals with chronic kidney disease or those taking certain medications such as potassium-sparing diuretics or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. A medical opinion is required before significantly increasing potassium intake through foods like bananas, legumes, potatoes, or spinach.