Chloride (Potassium Chloride)

Chloride (potassium chloride)

Chloride is a very important electrolyte (substance that carries a charge) in the blood. It helps maintain the balance between the fluid inside and outside the cells. In addition, chloride is an essential ingredient in the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach and plays a major role in the synthesis of hormones and proper contraction of muscles. Food sources of chloride include fruits like pineapple and watermelon, green leafy vegetables, barley, wheat, grains and salt (sodium chloride).

Benefits of Chloride

The following are among the immense health benefits of chloride:

Balances Electrolyte Levels

Levels of electrolytes in your body can sometimes become elevated or depleted. This happens when the amount of water in your body fluctuates, causing dehydration or overhydration. Interestingly, chloride offers several features for regulating electrolyte levels in a highly dynamic manner. Chloride acts like a neutralizing agent to help balance acid and alkaline levels within the body.^[1]    

Lowers High Blood Pressure

Clinical trials have shown that combining potassium with chloride can help lower high blood pressure in young and middle-aged hypertensive patients.^[2] The specific mechanism by which chloride lowers blood pressure is related to its ability to balance electrolyte levels.     

Lowers Risk for Heart Diseases and Related Deaths

Large epidemiologic studies show that lower circulating levels of chloride are associated with higher risk for heart diseases and related deaths.^[3] Researchers at the Belgian Interuniversity Research on Nutrition and Health studied 9106 participants for 10 years and found that low chloride levels (below 100 mEq/L) were associated with higher prevalence of dying from heart diseases.^[4]  

Improves Metabolism

Once food is broken down into fluid, chloride is transported into the intestines to ensure better metabolism.^[5] Additionally, the liver uses chloride in its detoxification process to remove potentially harmful toxins and waste products away from the body.

Promotes Better Digestion

Chloride helps strengthen the overall digestive system. It binds with hydrogen to form hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Furthermore, it helps the body to digest food effectively by breaking down foods into their simpler and more useful forms so that it can be easily absorbed.^[6]

References:

1. Eleanor Whitney; Sharon Rady Rolfes (30 April 2007). Understanding Nutrition. Cengage Learning. pp. 413–. ISBN 0-495-11669-6.
2. Smith SR, Klotman PE, Svetkey LP. Potassium chloride lowers blood pressure and causes natriuresis in older patients with hypertension. J Am Soc Nephrol. 1992;2(8):1302-9.
3. McCallum L, Lip S, Padmanabhan S. The hidden hand of chloride in hypertension. Pflugers Archiv. 2015;467(3):595-603. doi:10.1007/s00424-015-1690-8.
4. De BD, De BG, De BM, Kornitzer M. Is low serum chloride level a risk factor for cardiovascular mortality? J Cardiovasc Risk. 1998;5(3):177–184.
5. Vishwanath Sardesai (11 April 2003). Introduction to Clinical Nutrition, Second Edition. CRC Press. pp. 96–. ISBN 978-0-203-91239-3.
6. Heather Hedrick Fink; Alan E. Mikesky (12 January 2017). Practical Applications in Sports Nutrition. Jones & Bartlett Learning. pp. 27–. ISBN 978-1-284-10139-3.