Potassium may be as important as salt in raising blood pressure, findings presented to a medical conference have shown.

A University of Texas study was outlined to the American Society of Nephrology’s 41st annual meeting and scientific exposition in Philadelphia.

It showed data on 3,300 people from a Dallas Heart Study, half of whom were African American.

The results showed a link between high blood pressure and potassium found in urine – which appeared to have strongest correlation among people from African heritage.

Lead author Dr Susan Hedayati from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center said there had been a lot of publicity about lowering salt to tackle blood pressure, but not enough about potassium.

According to the National Institutes of Health, food high in potassium includes meat, soy, vegetables, fruits, milk and yogurt and nuts.

The doctor added: "Consuming a larger amount of these foods in the diet may lower blood pressure."