The Study
Effects of salt substitutes on clinical outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis
This study looked at many different experiments where people were randomly given either regular salt or a healthier salt substitute. It found that the healthier salt probably helps people live longer and have fewer heart problems. But we can't be 100% sure because we didn’t see all the details of those experiments.
Analysis score
Maximum 100 for a systematic review with meta-analysis.
Where the score came from
Scientists looked at studies where people used salt with less sodium and more potassium. They found it helped lower blood pressure, and the more potassium and less sodium in the salt, the better it worked.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 548 / 100
Quality score
The highest quality evidence. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses that pool randomized controlled trials, giving the most reliable summary of experimental evidence.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1Yes — even small BP drops like this can reduce heart attacks and strokes over time.
- 2Blood pressure went down by 4.61 mm Hg (systolic) and 1.61 mm Hg (diastolic).
- 3Every 10% less sodium in the salt made BP drop another 1.53 mm Hg systolic and 0.95 mm Hg diastolic.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
Heart
Year
2022
Authors
Xuejun Yin, A. Rodgers, A. Perkovic, Liping Huang, Ka-Chun Li, Jie Yu, Yangfeng Wu, J. Wu, Matti Marklund, Mark D. Huffman, J. Miranda, G. D. Di Tanna, D. Labarthe, P. Elliott, M. Tian, Bruce Neal
Related Content
Claims (6)
If you swap out regular table salt for a special salt that has less sodium and more potassium, it might help you have fewer strokes, heart problems, and even live longer — plus it could gently lower your blood pressure.
Using salt substitutes that have less sodium and more potassium can lower your blood pressure a little, which might help you avoid heart problems and live longer.
If you replace some of the regular salt in your food with a salt substitute that has less sodium, your blood pressure might drop a little — about 1.5 points for the top number and 1 point for the bottom number for every 10% less salt you use.
Using salt substitutes instead of regular salt might help adults live longer and have fewer heart problems like heart attacks or strokes.
Using salt substitutes helps lower blood pressure in pretty much everyone—no matter how old they are, whether they're male or female, how high their blood pressure started, or where they live.
Switching to salt substitutes probably helps lower blood pressure for people everywhere, no matter where they live or who they are.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.