ElectrolytesDo electrolytes affect blood pressure?
Updated 9 Nov 2026
Short answer
Sodium and potassium act in opposite directions. Trials show with high certainty that eating less sodium lowers blood pressure.[1] Potassium supplements lowered blood pressure in trials, more in people with high blood pressure, with moderate certainty.[1] In a review of 32 trials, the effect grew weaker above about 30 mmol of extra potassium a day. Above about 80 mmol, blood pressure rose again in people treated for high blood pressure.[2] Eating less sodium also lowered the risk of cardiovascular events, with moderate certainty.[1]
Sources (2)
- Summary - Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine National Academies Press (NCBI Bookshelf), 2019. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Potassium Intake and Blood Pressure: A Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Filippini T, Naska A, Kasdagli MI, Torres D, Lopes C, Carvalho C, et al. J Am Heart Assoc, 2020. PMID 32500831
More about electrolytes
What are electrolytes?Do you need electrolyte drinks every day?What are electrolytes used for?What are the signs of low electrolytes?Are electrolyte supplements safe?Do electrolytes help with dehydration from diarrhea?For education; not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before you start, stop or change a supplement.