Potassium is a major factor in losing weight

A new Israeli study conducted at Ichilov Hospital found a link between eating foods high in potassium and weight loss. This is an observational multisystem study conducted over an eight year period at the Sagol Metabolic Obesity Center, Endocrine Institute, Moscow Medical Center. Studies published in the medical journal NUTRIENTS prove that the higher the potassium intake, the greater the chances of weight loss. Broria Tal, a clinical nutritionist who was part of the research team, explains the course of the study: “We put participants on a balanced weight loss diet for a year. The diet provides about 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of the human body through animal protein (fish, poultry or cheese), vegetables, fruit and sunflower seeds. At a more advanced stage, we also add starchy foods. At year's end, we found that participants were able to lose some of their body weight. The effect is more significant the higher the consumption of potassium in the diet."

Another interesting number found in this study suggests a link between this diet and overall disease risk. “Participants' blood tests a year later found that disease factors had reduced in most of them: glucose levels fell, as did blood fat levels and blood pressure. In addition, the percentage of body fat decreased significantly. Dr Tal explains that obese people have fat cells that blood tests interpret as inflammatory. Since one of the antioxidants (eg potassium) is greater, this leads to a reduction in the inflammatory process.

Most potassium is found in chicken and fish

Dr Tal pointed out that the study looked at which foods provided the body with the most potassium. "We found that chicken and fish provided the highest percentage of potassium which led to weight loss, but of course vegetables and fruits also contributed and were very important." Potassium is found in high amounts in some vegetables, especially leafy greens. It is also found in other foods such as nuts and seeds of various types. According to them, this food group is also rich in antioxidants, natural substances with biological activity that help detoxify the liver and accelerate the burning of energy and fat. It has also been found that this type of diet can help reduce belly fat in dieters.

Are you interested in taking a survey? You can contact Ichilov by e-mail. Eligibility criteria included: BMI above 30, at least two medical conditions such as hypertension or medically controlled blood pressure, elevated blood sugar to 126, elevated triglycerides above 150, HDL below 45 for men, below 50 for women.

“The effect of diets with different nutritional compositions on weight loss has been investigated in many studies. So far we've talked about high-protein, high-fat, or high-carbohydrate diets. But so far, researchers have not published the benefits of potassium in relation to weight loss. We are happy to be the first to prove it here in Israel.”