Benefits of Potassium

Evidence-Based Benefits

• Blood pressure reduction — a 2017 meta-analysis by Aburto et al. (WHO-commissioned, 22 RCTs) found potassium supplementation reduced systolic BP by 3.49 mmHg in hypertensive adults
• Stroke prevention — a 2014 meta-analysis in the BMJ (11 prospective studies, n=247,510) found higher potassium intake associated with 24% lower stroke risk
• Kidney stone prevention — potassium citrate alkalinizes urine and reduces calcium stone recurrence; endorsed by the American Urological Association
• Bone health — higher potassium intake reduces urinary calcium excretion, potentially preserving bone mineral density
• Muscle function — potassium is essential for action potential propagation and proper skeletal and cardiac muscle contraction

What the Research Says

Potassium is a critical mineral with diverse roles in human health. The blood pressure-lowering effect of potassium is well-established, as confirmed by a WHO-commissioned meta-analysis involving 22 RCTs (n=1,606) conducted by Aburto et al. (2013). This study demonstrated that increased potassium intake reduces blood pressure in hypertensive adults without adverse effects on renal function or lipids. The DASH diet, which emphasizes potassium-rich foods, has been shown to lower BP comparably to first-line antihypertensive drugs.

Recent studies have highlighted additional benefits of potassium supplementation. A systematic review and meta-analysis by Behers et al. (2024) found that magnesium (≤360 mg/day for >3 months) and potassium (≤60 mmol/day for >1 month) supplementation reduced systolic blood pressure by -3.03/-4.31 mm Hg and -2.34/-2.80 mm Hg, respectively, in normotensive adults. Furthermore, novel potassium binders have shown promise in optimizing renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitor therapy in patients with chronic kidney disease or heart failure. A systematic review and meta-analysis by Huang et al. (2025) found that these binders improved RAAS inhibitor optimization by 38% compared to placebo, while a subsequent study by Paolillo et al. (2024) reported a 14% improvement in heart failure patients.

In the context of Helicobacter pylori treatment, potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CABs) have emerged as effective alternatives to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). A systematic review and network meta-analysis by Rokkas et al. (2025) involving 7,605 patients found that P-CAB-based dual therapy was the most effective regimen among six analyzed options. Additionally, a study by Kanu and Soldera (2024) reported that vonoprazan-based triple therapy significantly outperformed PPI-based therapy in eradicating H. pylori, with tegoprazan demonstrating non-inferior efficacy.

Overall, potassium plays a vital role in cardiovascular health, blood pressure regulation, and the management of chronic conditions such as heart failure and kidney disease. Its use in conjunction with other therapies continues to be an area of active research and clinical application.

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