Potassium
Research reviewed: added 07/15
Potassium is a dietary supplement with 10 published peer-reviewed studies involving 765 participants, researched for General.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
General
StrongResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
General
To investigate the effect of potassium chloride or potassium citrate on blood pressure in volunteers with normal blood pressure
Study Type
Randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Purpose
To investigate the effect of potassium chloride or potassium citrate on blood pressure in volunteers with normal blood pressure
Dose
30 mmol/day of potassium citrate or potassium chloride or placebo
Participants
127 men and women with an average age of 36 years
Duration
6 weeks
Results
The researchers observed significantly lowered blood pressure after taking potassium citrate for 6 weeks by about 5.22 mmHg. This reduction was similar to the 4.70 mmHg drop seen with potassium chloride. In addition, both forms of potassium reduced the upper and lower numbers of blood pressure, showing that potassium may help manage blood pressure levels.
To investigate the long-term supplementation of potassium intake on blood pressure.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Purpose
To investigate the long-term supplementation of potassium intake on blood pressure.
Dose
7156.8 mg/day of potassium or placebo
Participants
17 patients with essential hypertension (high blood pressure without any identifiable cause) with an average age of 29 years
Duration
8 weeks
Results
The study found an association between long-term potassium supplementation and significantly lowered blood pressure without changing salt intake. The average upper blood pressure value (systolic) significantly dropped from 152.2 mmHg to 137.4 mmHg, and the lower value (diastolic) significantly decreased from 99.6 mmHg to 89.1 mmHg. This effect was stronger in people with higher starting blood pressure and those who excreted more potassium. Lowering both systolic and diastolic blood pressure is important because it reduces the strain on your heart and arteries, lowering the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other heart problems.
To investigate the effects of short-term potassium supplementation on blood pressure in women with normal blood pressure
Study Type
Randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Purpose
To investigate the effects of short-term potassium supplementation on blood pressure in women with normal blood pressure
Dose
3,128 mg/day of potassium or placebo
Participants
39 healthy women with an average age of 32 years
Duration
4 days
Results
The researchers observed that potassium supplementation for 4 days significantly lowered systolic blood pressure by about 2 mmHg in normal blood pressure.
To investigate the effect of long term oral potassium supplement in patients with mild hypertension.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Purpose
To investigate the effect of long term oral potassium supplement in patients with mild hypertension.
Dose
1876.8 mg/day of potassium supplements or placebo
Participants
37 patients who had mildly increased blood pressure with an average age of 45 years
Duration
15 weeks
Results
By the third week, the researchers observed a significant decrease in blood pressure in the potassium group compared to the placebo group, with the maximum decrease occurring after 15 weeks. A subgroup of 13 patients who continued for an additional nine weeks with oral potassium supplements at half the previous daily dosage (24 mmol/day) showed a moderate increase in blood pressure during this period compared to the values at the end of the full-dose treatment. At the end of this second study period, their blood pressure was still significantly lower than the values at the start of the study but not compared to the placebo group.
To investigate the effects of potassium chloride on blood pressure in older adults with hypertension
Study Type
Randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Purpose
To investigate the effects of potassium chloride on blood pressure in older adults with hypertension
Dose
4692 mg/day of potassium chloride or placebo
Participants
22 patients aged 60 years and older with mild to moderate essential hypertension
Duration
8 days
Results
During the potassium chloride treatment, the researchers observed that the participants’ average systolic blood pressure (upper value of BP reading) significantly dropped by 8.6 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (lower value of BP reading) significantly dropped by 4.0 mmHg. There was no significant change in blood pressure with the placebo. Lowering both systolic and diastolic blood pressure reduces heart strain, decreases the risk of heart disease, and improves overall cardiovascular health. In addition, blood potassium levels were 3.9 mmol/L after the placebo and increased to 4.3 mmol/L after the potassium chloride treatment.
To evaluate the effect of a lower dose of potassium aspartate salt on blood pressure in individuals with essential arterial hypertension, a condition where a person has high blood pressure in their arteries without any specific identifiable cause.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Purpose
To evaluate the effect of a lower dose of potassium aspartate salt on blood pressure in individuals with essential arterial hypertension, a condition where a person has high blood pressure in their arteries without any specific identifiable cause.
Dose
1173 mg/day of potassium aspartate or placebo
Participants
104 male and female patients with an average age of 53 years
Duration
4 weeks
Results
The researchers observed that the control group showed no change in blood pressure, while the potassium supplementation group demonstrated significant reductions. For the potassium group, the average office blood pressure (measured at the doctor's office) significantly dropped from 154.4 mmHg to 142.2 mmHg, and the average 24-hour blood pressure (measured continuously over 24 hours using a portable monitor) significantly decreased from 142.7 mmHg to 134.8 mmHg. Daytime and nighttime blood pressure changes were similar. After four weeks, the treated group also demonstrated higher potassium levels in their blood and urine, while the untreated group had no changes. Overall, a relatively low dose of 1173 mg/day of potassium as aspartate may help lower blood pressure in people with mild to moderate high blood pressure.
To explore the effects of potassium supplementation on blood pressure in hypertensive individuals.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Purpose
To explore the effects of potassium supplementation on blood pressure in hypertensive individuals.
Dose
60 mmol of potassium or 40 g of soybean protein
Participants
150 hypertensive men and women with an average age 56 years
Duration
12 weeks
Results
The researchers observed that after 12 weeks of potassium supplementation, those who took potassium supplements demonstrated a significant drop in their systolic blood pressure (upper number of the blood pressure reading) and a decreasing trend in their diastolic blood pressure (lower number of the blood pressure reading). This could suggest that the supplement may be particularly effective in reducing the strain on the heart during active pumping.
To explore the effects of low-dose potassium supplementation on blood pressure in healthy volunteers.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Purpose
To explore the effects of low-dose potassium supplementation on blood pressure in healthy volunteers.
Dose
24 mmol/d of potassium or placebo
Participants
59 male and female volunteers with an average age of 43 years
Duration
6 weeks
Results
The researchers observed that taking a low-dose potassium supplement daily for six weeks significantly lowered overall, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure in healthy volunteers. The greatest reduction was observed in those with a higher sodium-to-potassium ratio in their urine. This is beneficial because potassium helps balance the negative effects of sodium (salt) in the body. Studies have shown that consuming salt is often linked to high blood pressure, especially in salt-sensitive individuals. Overall, the findings suggest that taking potassium supplementation even at a low dosage may help improve blood pressure and overall heart health.
To investigate the effects of potassium supplementation in patients with hypertension
Study Type
Randomised crossover trial
Purpose
To investigate the effects of potassium supplementation in patients with hypertension
Dose
64 mmol/day of potassium
Participants
55 patients with essential hypertension
Duration
4 weeks
Results
The study found an association between taking potassium supplements and significantly reduced blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. This reduction was observed in blood pressure readings taken at the doctor's office, at home, and over a full day while on potassium supplements compared to when they weren't taking the supplements.
To investigate the effects of salt loading and potassium supplementation in individuals with normal blood pressure or mild hypertension.
Study Type
Clinical trial (Uncontrolled)
Purpose
To investigate the effects of salt loading and potassium supplementation in individuals with normal blood pressure or mild hypertension.
Dose
60 mmol /day of potassium
Participants
155 men and women with either normal blood pressure or mild hypertension.
Duration
Around 4 weeks (1 week potassium supplementation at the final week)
Results
The researchers observed that potassium supplements significantly reduced blood pressure and levels of endothelin-1 (a protein that tightens blood vessels) more in salt-sensitive people than in those who are not salt-sensitive. Salt-sensitive individuals have a greater increase in blood pressure when consuming salt, so dietary changes affect them more. Overall, the study highlights that potassium supplements can provide significant health benefits, especially for those sensitive to salt, who are more likely to have high blood pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Potassium research
There are currently 10 peer-reviewed studies on Potassium, involving 765 total participants. Research covers General. The overall evidence strength is rated as Very Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Very Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (10 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Potassium has been researched for: General. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 10 out of 10 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
