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