MNT’s Sunday Supplement: Potassium-rich foods boost women's heart health
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People in the United States consume too much sodium, typically in the form of salt in processed and ultra-processed foods that many of us find difficult to resist. A high sodium diet may increase the risk of developing high blood pressure, which is a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) that is responsible for around a quarter of all deaths in the United States.
New research reported in Medical News Today this week indicates that women may offset some of the risk posed by a high sodium diet by consuming more potassium-rich foods. However, the study found that the association between dietary potassium and blood pressure was much less strong in men.
Overall, the study found that those with the highest potassium intake had a 13% lower risk of cardiovascular events than those with the lowest.
Interestingly, the relationship between potassium and cardiovascular events was independent of salt intake. Dietary potassium appears to play a wider role in heart health than reducing the effects of sodium — check out our list of foods rich in this essential electrolyte to see how you might add more to your meals.
To learn more about the relationship between sodium and potassium, and how eating more of the latter could undo the damage caused by the former, jump to “Potassium-rich foods boost women’s heart health.”
This week, we also have coverage of the latest subvariant of Omicron, nicknamed ‘Centaurus,’ plus an update on monkeypox and the World Health Organization’s declaration of a health emergency. We also covered a review that concluded low serotonin might not cause clinical depression after all and how a new study found that low doses of psychedelic mushrooms can improve mood and reduce depression. All these stories, and more, below.
We will return with our regular daily newsletter tomorrow. Please get in touch by email if you have any feedback, comments, or questions about this week’s Sunday Supplement.
Tim Snaith
Newsletter Editor, Medical News Today
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| ‘Centaurus’ subvariant of Omicron: What do we know? |
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| The emergence of a new subvariant of Omicron, BA.2.7, nicknamed ‘Centaurus,’ is causing some worry. What do we know about it so far? |
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| Monkeypox: Why it is now a health emergency, and how to avoid infection |
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| Here is what to know about the World Health Organization’s decision to declare monkeypox a global health emergency and how to stay safe. |
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| Low serotonin might not cause depression, but why do SSRIs still work? |
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| A new umbrella review of the specialist literature has found little evidence supporting the idea that low serotonin causes clinical depression. |
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| Eating more bright-colored fruits, vegetables may boost women’s health |
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| Eating more bright-colored fruits and leafy greens that are high in carotenoids may help women live longer and better, a study found. |
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| In Conversation: The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cure |
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| Medical News Today speaks to an expert and a former patient to discuss the past and future of hepatitis C cures, treatment, and prevention on the occasion of World Hepatitis Day. |
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| Gut disorders and Alzheimer’s: Scientists find genetic link |
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| A new study suggests that gut disorders may indicate a greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, strengthening theories around the gut-brain axis. |
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| Exposure to racism linked to brain changes that may affect health |
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| A study in Black women has found a link with exposure to racism and changes in brain white matter, which may affect overall health. |
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| Frequent napping may be a sign of higher risks of stroke, high blood pressure |
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| A study found frequent napping may signal higher risks of blood pressure and stroke. While napping itself is not the concern, researchers say it could be a sign of potential underlying health issues. |
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| LGBTQ youth: Discrimination trauma may increase suicide risk by more than 3 times |
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| The newest report by the Trevor Project links high levels of trauma to an increased risk of suicide among LGBTQ youth by over three times. |
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| Microdoses of psychedelic mushrooms may improve mood and mental health |
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| A recent clinical trial found that microdosing with dried psychedelic mushrooms containing psilocybin improved mood and reduced anxiety and depression. |
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