Western industrialized societies are currently experiencing an epidemic expansion of
hypertension (HTN), which extends alarmingly even to children and adolescents.
HTN constitutes an independent risk factor for cardiorenal disease and represents an
extremely common comorbidity of diabetes and obesity. Numerous randomized
clinical trials and meta-analyses have provided robust scientific evidence that
reduced dietary salt intake, increased dietary potassium intake, moderation of
alcohol consumption, optimal weight maintenance, and the adoption of
“heart-friendly” dietary patterns such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop
Hypertension or the Mediterranean diet can effectively lower blood pressure.
Interestingly, the susceptibility of blood pressure to nutritional interventions is
greatly variable among individuals, depending on age, race, genetic background,
and comorbidities. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive
overview of currently available scientific evidence in the constantly evolving field of
diet and HTN, placing particular emphasis on the key role of dietary sodium, dietary
potassium, and alcohol intake in the pathophysiology, prevention, and treatment of
human hypertension.