In an example of how all salts are not created equal, new research has shed some light on how certain forms of salt may actually lower a person's blood pressure.

For years we've known about the problems of too much salt in our diets and how it can contribute to hypertension. Excessive sodium causes the kidneys to retain water, which thereby increase blood pressure. High blood pressure is a significant public health concern made worse by the increase in obesity rates, both of which are exacerbated by the prevalence of high-fat and high-sodium foods in our diet.

However, a new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine has found that consumption of potassium salts (also known as "good" salts) instead of sodium salts may actually contribute to improving blood pressure on a large scale. In fact, the benefits of potassium salt have been estimated to be comparable to reducing a person's intake of "bad" sodium salt (table salt) by as much as one half.

Blood pressure is significantly affected by both diet and lifestyle, and the current state of the Western diet is characterized by high levels of sodium and low levels of potassium, both of which act to increase blood pressure. Health experts therefore strongly recommend that these patterns be reversed.

To better understand the potential health benefits of this approach, researchers examined the consumption of good and bad salt around the world. What they found was that, on average, potassium consumption varied from 1.7 to 3.7 grams a day, which is less than the recommended 4.7 grams a day that some experts recommend.

According to the research, a theoretical increase in potassium consumption to the recommended level (4.7 grams) might result in a decrease in systolic blood pressure from 1.7 to 3.2 mm Hg. This corresponds to an effect similar to that seen if a person were to consume less than 4 grams of salt each day.

Previous research has found that reductions in sodium intake could potentially save lives by reducing blood pressure. Currently the World Health Organization has estimated that in some Western countries, salt consumption can be as high as 12 mg per day, when 5 grams is the recommended amount. Unfortunately, much of the sodium that the public consumes is sequestered in processed and convenience foods.

The take home message from the data is that people should reduce their sodium and increase their potassium intakes. Good sources of potassium include fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables. Potassium salt can also be used in food preparation in place of table salt.

Before making drastic changes in your diet, consult with a nutritional expert. If you have questions or concerns about your blood pressure, talk to you doctor for ways to address the situation. For more information, visit the website for the American Heart Association.