PotassiumDoes potassium help with muscle cramps?
Updated 9 Nov 2026
Short answer
A 2026 review of 9 studies with 11,274 people looked for causes of cramps during exercise. People with cramps had higher, not lower, blood potassium after a race (moderate evidence), and hydration showed no consistent link.[1] The strongest risk factor was earlier cramps, with about 4.4 times higher odds.[1] A low blood potassium level can cause muscle weakness, and a very low level paralysis.[2]
Sources (2)
- Risk Factors for Exercise-Associated Muscle Cramps: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis. Costa LDS, Correa VAF, de Oliveira VF, Jahn AJS, Aliano GB, Nunes GS Muscle Nerve, 2026. PMID 42693659
- Potassium: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. ods.od.nih.gov
More about potassium
What is potassium?Which foods contain potassium?What is potassium used for?What happens if you do not get enough potassium?Is potassium safe?Why do potassium supplements contain only 99 mg?For education; not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before you start, stop or change a supplement.