Increasing potassium intake to reduce blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular diseases in adults
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally. An estimated 17.5 million people died from CVDs in 2012, representing 31% of all deaths worldwide. High blood pressure (hypertension) is a major risk for CVDs, especially heart attack and stroke.
Evidence shows that increasing potassium intake significantly reduces blood pressure in adults. Potassium is found in a variety of unrefined foods, including beans and peas, nuts, vegetables such as spinach, cabbage and parsley and fruits such as bananas, papayas and dates. Food processing reduces the amount of potassium in many food products, and a diet high in processed foods and low in fresh fruits and vegetables is often lacking in potassium.
WHO recommendations
WHO recommends an increase in potassium intake from food to reduce blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and coronary heart disease in adults.
WHO suggests a potassium intake of at least 90 mmol/day (3510 mg/day) for adults.
These recommendations complement the WHO guideline on sodium consumption and should not be interpreted to replace or supersede that guideline. Public health interventions should aim to reduce sodium intake and simultaneously increase potassium intake through foods. Additional information can be found in the guidance summary, and in the guideline under 'WHO documents' below.
WHO documents
GRC-approved guidelines
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Potassium intake for adults and children
Publication date: 2012
Other guidance documents
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Prevention of cardiovascular disease: Guideline for assessment and management of cardiovascular risk
Publication date: 2007 -
Diet, nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases: Report of the joint WHO/FAO expert consultation, WHO Technical Report Series, No. 916 (TRS 916)
Publication date: 2003
Evidence
Systematic reviews used to develop the guidelines
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Effect of increased potassium intake on blood pressure, renal function, blood lipids and other potential adverse effects
Aburto NJ, Hanson S, Gutierrez H, Hooper L, Elliott P, Cappuccio FP et al.
Geneva: World Health Organization; 2012. -
Effect of increased potassium intake on cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease and stroke
Aburto NJ, Hanson S, Gutierrez H, Hooper L, Elliott P, Cappuccio FP.
Geneva: World Health Organization; 2012. -
Effect of increased potassium intake on cardiovascular risk factors and disease: systematic review and meta-analyses
Aburto NJ, Hanson S, Gutierrez H, Hooper L, Elliott P, Cappuccio FP.
BMJ. 2013; 346:f1378.
Related Cochrane reviews
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Potassium supplementation for the management of primary hypertension in adults
Dickinson HO, Nicolson D, Campbell F, Beyer FR, Mason J.
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2006; Issue 3. Art. No.: CD004641.
