Overview
- An analysis in the New England Journal of Medicine found that even 20% adherence to this eating pattern was associated with about a 12% lower 10-year mortality.
- The approach originated at the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and is recommended in Germany by the Deutsche Hochdruckliga in line with national nutrition guidance.
- The German Nutrition Society advises no more than 6 grams of salt per day, yet RKI survey data show roughly half of men and 38.5% of women consume over 10 grams daily.
- A large Chinese trial reported that replacing one quarter of dietary sodium chloride with potassium chloride reduced stroke risk by roughly 15% over several years.
- The plan emphasizes vegetables, fruit, legumes, nuts, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy oils while limiting salt, sugars, saturated fats and alcohol, with clinicians warning that ultra-processed ready meals can contain up to 2.5 grams of salt per serving and noting diet as a complement to medication.