Potassium Reduces Blood Pressure, Researchers Say

CHICAGO — Oral intake of potassium has been found to significantly reduce blood pressure, researchers who analyzed dozens of previous studies said Tuesday.

“The existing body of evidence . . . favors the notion that potassium supplementation should be considered as part of recommendations for prevention and treatment of hypertension,” wrote Paul Whelton, of the Tulane University School of Public Health.

Whelton pooled the results from 33 randomized, controlled trials with 2,609 participants that focused on the effect of potassium supplements. Potassium appeared to be particularly effective in lowering blood pressure when study participants also had high salt intake, which can elevate blood pressure, he wrote in the Journal of the American Medical Assn.

He said even a small amount of potassium could prevent the onset of high blood pressure and larger supplements ought to be considered as a treatment for the condition, especially among those who don’t cut their salt intake.

Only a few participants in two of the trials suffered adverse effects from taking potassium in pill form.