Potassium Intake Levels: Official Figures, Blood Pressure and the DASH Diet
Official potassium intake figures by age and country, what trials found for blood pressure and the DASH eating pattern, and why food comes first and kidney disease changes the picture.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first: if you have kidney disease, a long-term illness, or take blood pressure medicines, talk to your provider before taking potassium supplements or using potassium salt substitutes. [3] High potassium often has no symptoms, and poor kidney function is one cause. [5] See Hyperkalemia.
How the terms are used
EFSA calls its values adequate intakes (AIs). [2] MedlinePlus lists intakes from the US National Academies without saying on that page which are AIs or RDAs. [3] The Daily Value on US labels (4,700 mg) is a label reference, not a requirement. [6] Figures are milligrams of potassium itself, not of a potassium compound.Official figures by group
| Body, country, year | Group | Level (mg a day) |
|---|---|---|
| NHS, UK (reviewed 2020) | Adults 19 to 64 | 3,500 [1] |
| EFSA, EU (2016) | Infants 7 to 11 months | 750 [2] |
| EFSA | Children 1 to 3 / 4 to 6 / 7 to 10 / 11 to 14 | 800 / 1,100 / 1,800 / 2,700 [2] |
| EFSA | Adolescents 15 to 17; adults including pregnant women | 3,500 [2] |
| EFSA | Lactating women | 4,000 [2] |
| US via MedlinePlus (reviewed 2026) | Infants 0 to 6 months; 7 to 12 months | 400; 860 [3] |
| Same | Children 1 to 3; 4 to 8 | 2,000; 2,300 [3] |
| Same | Ages 9 to 13: girls; boys | 2,300; 2,500 [3] |
| Same | Ages 14 to 18: girls; boys | 2,300; 3,000 [3] |
| Same | Adults 19+: women; men | 2,600; 3,400 [3] |
| Same | Pregnancy; breastfeeding | 2,600 to 2,900; 2,500 to 2,800 [3] |
| WHO (2026) | Adults | at least 3,510 "may be beneficial" [4] |
The numbers differ because bodies used different evidence and age bands. EFSA says it considered the relationships between low potassium intake, raised blood pressure and stroke risk when setting its values. [2] The sources we read gave no upper intake level for potassium from food.
What trials found
Evidence labels: evidence in a specific group means results may not apply elsewhere. Proper evidence not found means we looked and found nothing usable.| Question | What the source found | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Higher potassium intake and blood pressure | A review of 22 randomized trials (1,606 adults): systolic pressure fell 3.49 mm Hg, in people with hypertension but not those without. [7] | Evidence in adults with high blood pressure |
| Intake and stroke | 24% lower stroke risk with higher intake (moderate-quality evidence). [7] | Observational |
| Children | Three trials and one cohort study found a non-significant 0.28 mm Hg systolic change. [7] | Insufficient |
| DASH diet | In 459 adults, a combination diet cut systolic pressure 5.5 mm Hg more than a control diet; fruits and vegetables alone cut it 2.8 mm Hg more. [8] | Evidence in adults; diet, not potassium alone |
| DASH plus lower sodium | In 412 people, both lowered blood pressure, with greater effects together. [9] | Evidence in adults |
| Potassium-enriched salt substitute | In 20,995 people with prior stroke or aged 60+ with high blood pressure, stroke rate was lower than with regular salt. [10] | That group only |
The reviewers said benefit is potential for most people without impaired renal handling of potassium. [7] DASH trials changed the whole diet, so their effect cannot be assigned to potassium alone.
The DASH eating plan
NHLBI describes DASH as a flexible, balanced plan with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy, fish, poultry, beans, nuts and oils, and foods rich in potassium, calcium, magnesium, fiber and protein. [11] It lists a sodium level of 2,300 mg, and says 1,500 mg lowers blood pressure even further. [11] NHLBI is a US source. DASH is a diet pattern, not a supplement. People with kidney disease may need to limit potassium-rich foods, so a dietitian should adapt any plan. [3] Lists: Foods high in potassium.Frequently asked questions
How much potassium per day do adults need?
UK and EU sources say 3,500 mg; US figures listed by MedlinePlus are 3,400 mg for men and 2,600 mg for women. [1][2][3]
Does potassium lower blood pressure?
In a review of randomized trials, higher intake lowered it in people with hypertension, not in those without. [7]
Is the DASH diet the same as taking potassium?
No. DASH changes many parts of the diet at once. [8][11]
Can I get my potassium from a supplement?
Ask a clinician first, especially with kidney disease or blood pressure medicines. [3]
Is there an upper limit for potassium?
We did not find one in the sources we could read. The NHS says 3,700 mg or less from supplements is unlikely to have obvious harmful effects (UK adults). [1]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety and who should ask a clinician
- Kidney disease, including dialysis: avoid too many potassium-rich foods unless told otherwise. [3]
- Medicines: ACE inhibitors, ARBs and potassium-sparing diuretics can raise potassium. [3] Ask a pharmacist; see Medication interactions.
- Older adults: the NHS says kidneys may remove potassium less well and older people should not take potassium supplements unless a doctor advises it. [1]
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: ask your provider what amount suits you. [3]
References
- NHS (UK). Page last reviewed 3 August 2020. NHS, Vitamins and minerals: Others (phosphorus, potassium, salt). Read 2026-10-23.
- European Food Safety Authority (EU). News item 25 October 2016. Dietary reference values: advice on potassium. Read 2026-10-23.
- MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine). Review date 30 April 2026. Potassium in diet. Read 2026-10-23.
- World Health Organization. Fact sheet dated 26 January 2026. Healthy diet. Read 2026-10-23.
- MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine). Review date 1 October 2025. High potassium level. Read 2026-10-23.
- US Food and Drug Administration. Content current as of 5 March 2024. Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels. Read 2026-10-23.
- Aburto NJ et al. BMJ 2013. Effect of increased potassium intake on cardiovascular risk factors and disease: systematic review and meta-analyses. PubMed abstract read 2026-10-23.
- Appel LJ et al. N Engl J Med 1997 (DASH). A clinical trial of the effects of dietary patterns on blood pressure. PubMed abstract read 2026-10-23.
- Sacks FM et al. N Engl J Med 2001 (DASH-Sodium). Effects on blood pressure of reduced dietary sodium and the DASH diet. PubMed abstract read 2026-10-23.
- Neal B et al. N Engl J Med 2021 (SSaSS). Effect of Salt Substitution on Cardiovascular Events and Death. PubMed abstract read 2026-10-23.
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (US). DASH eating plan. Read 2026-10-23.