Table 2.
Effect of potassium supplementation on blood pressure: A summary of meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials.
| Author/Year | No. of trials | Study Characteristic | No. of Participants | Patient Characteristics | Duration of Trials | Potassium Dosage (Supplements) | Blood Pressure Lowering in mmHg (95%CI) | Further Remarks/Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aburto et al., 2013b [38] | 21 | Randomized controlled trials | 1892/1857 | Hypertensive 818(SBP)/828(DBP) |
<2 to >4 months | <90 mmol/day to >155 mmol/day in the intervention group | SBP: −3.5 (−5.2 to −1.8) DBP: −2.0 (−3.1 to −0.9) |
Effect seen in people with hypertension but not in those without hypertension. Intake above 120 mmol/day did not seem to have any additional benefit. Potassium may be more effective in reducing blood pressure at higher levels of sodium consumption. |
| Binia et al., 2015 [39] | 15 | Randomized controlled trials | 917 | 400 hypertensives 329 normotensives 188 hypertensive or normotensive persons (mixed population) |
4–24 weeks | <40–120 mmol/day | All: SBP: −4.7 (−7.0 to −2.4) DBP: −3.5 (−5.7 to −1.3) Hypertensive patients: SBP: −6.8 (−9.3 to −4.3) DBP: −4.7 (−7.5 to −1.8) |
Potassium supplementation is associated with reduction of blood pressure in patients who are not on antihypertensive medication, and the effect is significant in hypertensive patients. |
| Filippini et al., 2017 [40] | 33 | Randomized controlled trials | 1829 | 1163 (studies ≥4 weeks overall) | <4 to ≥12 weeks | 25–250 mmol/day | SBP: −4.5 (−5.9 to −3.1) DBP: −3.0 (−4.8 to −1.1) |
Potassium supplementation in hypertensives was generally associated with decreased blood pressure, particularly in high sodium consumers. |
| Poorolajal et al., 2017 [41] | 23 | Randomized controlled trials | 1213 | Primary hypertension: 732 (SBP) 695 (DBP) |
4–52 weeks | 6–200 mmol/day | SBP: −4.3 (−6.0 to −2.5) DBP: −2.5 (−4.1 to −1.0) |
Potassium supplementation has a modest but significant impact on blood pressure. |
| Bommel and Cleophas 2012 [42] | 10 | Crossover and parallel design studies | 556 | High salt intake, >170 mmol/24h | Follow up 8–16 weeks | Not available | SBP: −9.5 (−10.8 to −8.1) DBP: −6.4 (−7.3 to −5.6) |
Potassium treatment reduces considerably the blood pressure of hypertensive patients on salt rich diets. |
SBP = Systolic blood pressure; DBP = Diastolic blood pressure.