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Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 to 45

Low-sodium versus high-potassium diet education to improve blood vessel health

Official title: Improving Vascular Health Using Nutrition Education Aimed At Increasing Potassium Intake Versus Reducing Sodium Intake

Run by Florida State University · NCT07221448 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study will test whether learning to eat more potassium or learning to eat less sodium is easier and better for improving blood vessel health in generally healthy young adults who usually eat a lot of salt.

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Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 45 Years
SexAll
Enrollment32 (estimated)
SponsorFlorida State University
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Tallahassee, Florida)
StatusRecruiting
StartedApril 20, 2026
Main results expectedSeptember 30, 2027
Study endsSeptember 30, 2027
Registry record updatedApril 23, 2026
Trial IDNCT07221448 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are generally healthy young adults who currently consume high amounts of sodium and low amounts of potassium, can attend in-person visits at the site, and are willing to follow dietary counseling without taking potassium supplements.

Probably not a fit

People with existing diabetes, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, abnormal lab values (e.g., high potassium, elevated creatinine), current diuretic use, or those already following a low-sodium or high-potassium diet are unlikely to enroll or benefit from this education-focused intervention.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

Healthy young adults who currently eat more sodium than recommended will be randomly assigned to receive four weekly one-on-one nutrition education sessions focused either on adopting a low-sodium diet (goal ≤1,500 mg/day) or a high-potassium diet (goal ≥4,700 mg/day). No food or supplements are provided; participants are counseled by trained staff to make self-selected dietary changes and are asked not to take potassium supplements. Researchers will measure dietary adherence and cardiovascular risk markers, including blood pressure and endothelial function, with follow-up visits every two months for six months after the education period. The study compares real-world feasibility and health effects of two education-based approaches rather than controlled feeding conditions.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a practical, non-drug way to lower cardiovascular risk by helping people change their diets to improve blood pressure and vascular function.

How similar studies have gone: Controlled feeding studies have shown that higher potassium intake can improve blood pressure and vascular markers, but direct, real-world comparisons of education-based high-potassium versus low-sodium approaches are limited.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

* Willing and able to attend in-person laboratory visits
* Usual sodium intake ≥3,000 mg/d for females and ≥4,000 mg/d for males
* Usual potassium intake ≤2,500 mg/d in females and ≤3,000 mg/d in males

Exclusion Criteria:

* BMI ≥35 kg/m2
* Seated blood pressure ≥130/80 mmHg
* Current diagnosis or history of diabetes, renal disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, or major cardiovascular event (e.g. heart attack or stroke)
* Current or recent use of a diuretic (within the past 6 months)
* Elevated blood lipids (LDL cholesterol ≥190 mg/dL)
* Elevated serum potassium level (\>5.1 mmol/L)
* Elevated BUN (\>22 mg/dL)
* Elevated creatinine (\>1.2 mg/dL)
* Low eGFR (\<90 mL/min/1.73 m²)
* Current or recent use of tobacco, nicotine, or illicit drugs
* Radical hysterectomy or oophorectomy (females)\*
* Pregnant or lactating
* Following a weight-loss diet, or intending to gain or lose weight during the study period

Where it's running

  • Florida State University
    Tallahassee, Florida, United States     Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Andrea Lobene, PhD, RD, LD — Florida State University
  • Study coordinator: Andrea Lobene, PhD, RD, LD
  • Email: alobene@fsu.edu
  • Phone: 850-644-1829

Similar studies

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How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
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Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.