Dietary Sodium and Potassium Intake and Risk of Diabetes in the Million Veteran Program

This study investigates the relationship between dietary sodium intake, potassium intake, and the sodium-to-potassium ratio and the risk of developing diabetes among participants in the VA Million Veteran Program. Drawing on a large prospective cohort, the authors evaluate whether dietary electrolyte patterns are associated with incident diabetes, independent of established risk factors. The analysis is motivated by evidence linking sodium intake to hypertension, obesity, and insulin resistance, and potassium intake to metabolic health. The findings contribute to understanding the role of dietary mineral balance in diabetes prevention and cardiometabolic risk reduction.