So, while it’s in our best interests to keep an eye on the foods we’re eating and cut excess salt out of diets where we can, a new study has found a further solution to helping us control our sodium intake.

According to new research, eating foods that are rich in potassium, such as bananas, salmon and avocado, can help reduce the negative effect of salt in our diets and it’s especially effective in women.

The findings from Amsterdam University Medical Centers in the Netherlands and published in the European Heart Journal found high potassium diets were associated with lower blood pressure, especially for women who ate higher amounts of salt.

The study, which included 11,267 men and 13,696 women in the UK, found the mineral helps preserve heart health and that women benefit from it more than men.

Potassium: bananas, avocados and salmon could reduce the effect of salt in women’s diets