All interventionsCardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally. An estimated 17.8 million people died from CVDs in 2017, representing approximately 32% of all deaths worldwide. High blood pressure (hypertension) is a major risk for CVDs, especially heart attack and stroke.
Evidence shows that increasing potassium intake significantly reduces blood pressure in adults. Potassium is found in a variety of unrefined foods, including beans and peas, nuts, vegetables such as spinach, cabbage and parsley and fruits such as bananas, papayas and dates. Food processing reduces the amount of potassium in many food products, and a diet high in processed foods and low in fresh fruits and vegetables is often lacking in potassium.