Improvement after a supplement is not the same as a comparative result
Start with the comparison. A before-and-after change alone cannot isolate the contribution of an ingredient.
Potassium
Blood pressure and vascular health
Human studies reported both between-group improvement and an association for Systolic blood pressure; while Studies with an unspecified organism reported between-group improvement in Systolic blood pressure.
single- and combination-ingredient studies · Scope not specified · Individual ingredient effects cannot be separated · Human studies · Includes patient groups · Population not specified · between-group comparison · comparator not confirmed
Publications for this result: 4
Other outcomes and study details
Distinct publications linked to this topic: 24
- Study conditions differ; results are shown descriptively and are not pooled.
- Combination, formula, or class studies do not isolate this ingredient or establish synergy.
What has been studied?
Distinct human comparison papers: 3
Some studies tested several ingredients together. Those results cannot show this ingredient’s separate effect or establish synergy.
24 h SBP
Other human research, including observational studies and reviews
- A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.Patient group · Single ingredient
Measurement and study conditions
- Controlled human study
- Randomized trial
- Single ingredient
- Patient group
- Outcome role not specified
- Timepoint: unspecified
- Study comparison: unspecified
blood pressure
Other human research, including observational studies and reviews
- A change was reported before and after use. Its cause cannot be isolated.General population · Single ingredient
Measurement and study conditions
- Other evidence
- Clinical trial
- Single ingredient
- General population
- Primary outcome
- Within-group comparison
- Timepoint: 4 weeks supplementation preceded by baseline measurements and followed by 4-week recovery
- Study comparison: Repeated baseline, supplementation, and recovery measurements; no concurrent control group stated
blood pressure control
Other human research, including observational studies and reviews
- An association was observed. This does not establish that the ingredient caused the change.Patient group · 3-year follow-up
Measurement and study conditions
- Observational study
- Observational study
- Unknown intervention
- Patient group
- Primary outcome
- Comparison unclear
- Timepoint: 3-year follow-up
- Study comparison: observational association per 50 mmol/24-hour higher potassium intake; not supplementation
BP
Other human research, including observational studies and reviews
- A change was reported before and after use. Its cause cannot be isolated.Patient group · Single ingredient · Four weeks per period
Measurement and study conditions
- Controlled human study
- Randomized trial
- Single ingredient
- Patient group
- Primary outcome
- Within-group comparison
- Timepoint: Four weeks per period
- Study comparison: 64 mmol potassium chloride versus placebo in crossover periods; reported within-period BP decreases
Research with unclear study subject or type
- A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.Patient group
Measurement and study conditions
- Meta-analysis
- Meta-analysis
- Unknown intervention
- Patient group
- Biomarker
- Study subject not identified
- Timepoint: not specified
- Study comparison: Dose-response association between higher urinary potassium excretion and BP; estimates stratified by
Other measured outcomes (10)
BP levels
Research with unclear study subject or type
- A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.Patient group · Single ingredient · trials ≥4 weeks
Measurement and study conditions
- Meta-analysis
- Meta-analysis
- Single ingredient
- Patient group
- Primary outcome
- Study subject not identified
- Timepoint: trials ≥4 weeks
- Study comparison: potassium supplementation versus active/control arms across doses
DBP
- Comparison result:Results were mixed for this outcome.General population · Single ingredient · 7 days
Measurement and study conditions
- Other evidence
- Clinical trial
- Single ingredient
- General population
- Secondary outcome
- Between-group comparison
- Timepoint: 7 days
- Study comparison: potassium-supplementation response differentiated by sex and genotype; no untreated comparator speci
diastolic BP (DBP)
Other human research, including observational studies and reviews
- A change was reported before and after use. Its cause cannot be isolated.General population · Single ingredient · 7 days
Measurement and study conditions
- Other evidence
- Clinical trial
- Single ingredient
- General population
- Secondary outcome
- Within-group comparison
- Timepoint: 7 days
- Study comparison: potassium-supplementation response differentiated by sex and genotype; no untreated comparator speci
FMD
- Comparison result:A better result than the comparison group was reported.General population · Single ingredient · day seven of each diet
Measurement and study conditions
- Controlled human study
- Randomized trial
- Single ingredient
- General population
- Biomarker
- Between-group comparison
- Timepoint: day seven of each diet
- Study comparison: FMD lower with moderate-K/high-Na than high-K/high-Na; no difference high-K/high-Na vs moderate-K/lo
MAP
- Comparison result:Results were mixed for this outcome.General population · Single ingredient · 7 days
Measurement and study conditions
- Other evidence
- Clinical trial
- Single ingredient
- General population
- Secondary outcome
- Between-group comparison
- Timepoint: 7 days
- Study comparison: potassium-supplementation response differentiated by sex and genotype; no untreated comparator speci
SBP
Research with unclear study subject or type
- The study reported improvement in this measurement.Patient group · Single ingredient · minimum 4 weeks; final follow-up
Measurement and study conditions
- Meta-analysis
- Meta-analysis
- Single ingredient
- Patient group
- Primary outcome
- Between-group comparison
- Study subject not identified
- Timepoint: minimum 4 weeks; final follow-up
- Study comparison: potassium versus placebo
systolic and diastolic blood pressures
Other human research, including observational studies and reviews
- A change was reported before and after use. Its cause cannot be isolated.Patient group · Single ingredient
Measurement and study conditions
- Controlled human study
- Randomized trial
- Single ingredient
- Patient group
- Primary outcome
- Within-group comparison
- Timepoint: 32-week crossover; weekly BP assessments
- Within-group comparison
systolic and diastolic BP
Other human research, including observational studies and reviews
- A change was reported before and after use. Its cause cannot be isolated.General population · up to 5 hours post-intake
Measurement and study conditions
- Controlled human study
- Randomized trial
- Unknown intervention
- General population
- Primary outcome
- Within-group comparison
- Timepoint: up to 5 hours post-intake
- Study comparison: Within-participant pre/post response across nitrate interventions; potassium nitrate is a compound i
Systolic blood pressure
Human comparison research
- Comparison result:A better result than the comparison group was reported.Patient group · Single ingredient
Measurement and study conditions
- Controlled human study
- Randomized trial
- Single ingredient
- Patient group
- Outcome role not specified
- Between-group comparison
- Timepoint: unspecified
- Study comparison: unspecified
Other human research, including observational studies and reviews
- An association was observed. This does not establish that the ingredient caused the change.General population · Single ingredient
Measurement and study conditions
- Observational study
- Observational study
- Single ingredient
- General population
- Primary outcome
- Comparison unclear
- Timepoint: baseline 2008–2011 to follow-up 2014–2017
- Study comparison: Observational dietary-potassium intake versus systolic/diastolic blood-pressure change; no associati
- An association was observed. This does not establish that the ingredient caused the change.General population
Measurement and study conditions
- Observational study
- Observational study
- Unknown intervention
- General population
- Secondary outcome
- Comparison unclear
- Timepoint: Maternal third-trimester intake; offspring follow-up to age 5 years
- Study comparison: Higher maternal dietary potassium intake associated with higher offspring systolic blood pressure; v
Research with unclear study subject or type
- The study reported improvement in this measurement.Combination study
Measurement and study conditions
- Controlled study; organism not specified
- Randomized trial
- Ingredient combination
- Unspecified population
- Outcome role not specified
- Between-group comparison
- Study subject not identified
- Timepoint: unspecified
- Study comparison: unspecified
systolic BP (SBP)
- Comparison result:Results were mixed for this outcome.General population · Single ingredient · 7 days
Measurement and study conditions
- Other evidence
- Clinical trial
- Single ingredient
- General population
- Secondary outcome
- Between-group comparison
- Timepoint: 7 days
- Study comparison: potassium-supplementation response differentiated by sex and genotype; no untreated comparator speci
This result is held for interpretation. That does not mean research found no effect.
Outcome groups needing additional review (1)
- heritabilities of blood pressure responses to dietary sodium and potassium intake · Distinct papers needing additional review: 1Direction unclear: 1
One paper can appear under multiple measured outcomes or review reasons, so these counts should not be added together.
Research topics to explore
Research topics to explore
Review findings reported in each research area.
Topics with more linked papers appear first.
- View selected result
Blood pressure and vascular health
Related papers 24 · human comparison papers 3
- View results
Glucose and metabolic health
Related papers 3 · comparison findings need further review
- diabetes risk · Comparison details unconfirmed
- metabolic syndrome · Comparison details unconfirmed
More outcome groups: 1
- View results
Exercise performance
Related papers 2 · comparison findings need further review
- physiological adaptations to training · Comparison details unconfirmed
- View results
Bone, joint, and mobility
Related papers 1 · comparison findings need further review
- Osteoarthritis · Interpretation held
Data coverage and detailed study classifications
Paper counts are separated by research topic below. One paper may contribute to multiple findings.
Analysis status: Public-ready
Ingredient analysis date:
How the grade was determined: B
The 64.3 evidence score includes 1 independent human studies and 1 clinical studies in the representative benefit area. The B tier remains conservative because of limited repetition across independent human clinical studies, too few clinical findings with an explicit effect direction.
The grade is based mainly on the research area with the most evidence. It does not mean the same result was found in other areas.
Papers linked to this ingredient overall: 78
Papers linked to this topic 24 · distinct papers 24 · papers with a confirmed human comparison 3 · papers needing additional review 9
Ingredient-wide papers, topic-linked papers, and sources in outcome groups use different scopes. Adding source counts may count the same paper more than once.
- 24 h SBP: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- blood pressure: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- blood pressure control: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- BP: Sources represented in this measurement group: 2 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- BP levels: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- DBP: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 1
- diastolic BP (DBP): Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- FMD: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 1
- heritabilities of blood pressure responses to dietary sodium and potassium intake: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- MAP: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 1
- SBP: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- systolic and diastolic blood pressures: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- systolic and diastolic BP: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- Systolic blood pressure: Sources represented in this measurement group: 4 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 1
- systolic BP (SBP): Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 1
Blood pressure and vascular health
What the research found
systolic and diastolic BP
A change was reported before and after use. Its cause cannot be isolated.
Controlled study in people · Unknown intervention · General population
Within-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
BP
A change was reported before and after use. Its cause cannot be isolated.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Patient group
Within-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
FMD
The study reported improvement in this measurement.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · General population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
systolic and diastolic blood pressures
A change was reported before and after use. Its cause cannot be isolated.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Patient group
Within-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Systolic blood pressure
The study reported improvement in this measurement.
Controlled human study · Ingredient combination · Unspecified population
Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Systolic blood pressure
The study reported improvement in this measurement.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Patient group
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
blood pressure
A change was reported before and after use. Its cause cannot be isolated.
Other evidence · Single ingredient · General population
Within-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
blood pressure control
An association was observed. This does not establish that the ingredient caused the change.
Observational study · Unknown intervention · Patient group
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
DBP
Results for this measurement were mixed; no consistent conclusion can be drawn.
Other evidence · Single ingredient · General population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
diastolic BP (DBP)
A change was reported before and after use. Its cause cannot be isolated.
Other evidence · Single ingredient · General population
Within-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
MAP
Results for this measurement were mixed; no consistent conclusion can be drawn.
Other evidence · Single ingredient · General population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
SBP
The study reported improvement in this measurement.
Meta-analysis · Single ingredient · Patient group
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Systolic blood pressure
An association was observed. This does not establish that the ingredient caused the change.
Observational study · Single ingredient · General population
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
systolic blood pressure
An association was observed. This does not establish that the ingredient caused the change.
Observational study · Unknown intervention · General population
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
systolic BP (SBP)
Results for this measurement were mixed; no consistent conclusion can be drawn.
Other evidence · Single ingredient · General population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
24 h SBP
A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Patient group
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
BP
A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
Meta-analysis · Unknown intervention · Patient group
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
BP levels
A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
Meta-analysis · Single ingredient · Patient group
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
heritabilities of blood pressure responses to dietary sodium and potassium intake
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Controlled study in people · Ingredient combination · General population
Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Controlled study in people · Ingredient combination · Patient group
Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Controlled study in people · Ingredient combination · Patient group
Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Controlled study in people · Ingredient combination · Unspecified population
Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Meta-analysis · Ingredient combination · Unspecified population
Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Other evidence · Ingredient combination · Patient group
Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Patient group
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Other evidence · Unknown intervention · Unspecified population
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Glucose and metabolic health
What the research found
diabetes risk
A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
Meta-analysis · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
metabolic syndrome
A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
Meta-analysis · Unknown intervention · Unspecified population
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Risk of obesity
A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
Meta-analysis · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Animal study · indirect · Single ingredient · Patient group
This finding comes from animal or cell research. It does not establish the same effect in people.
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Exercise performance
What the research found
physiological adaptations to training
A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
Controlled study in people · Unknown intervention · General population
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Other evidence · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Bone, joint, and mobility
What the research found
Osteoarthritis
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Controlled study in people · Ingredient combination · Patient group
Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
How to read research findings
How should I read research findings?
Research guidesNo clear difference and an uninterpretable result are different
A reported null comparison contains a result. An abstract without an interpretable comparison leaves a question unresolved.
Paper counts and study counts are different
Count original research separately from research that reanalyzes it. Publication volume is neither replication nor a quality rating.
Side effects and combination findings
Findings from this ingredient alone are shown separately from those involving another supplement or medication.
Caution findings
0
Findings from individual and combined use, plus reviewed cautions
Key precautions
No combination cautions are available to show in the current data. This does not guarantee safety.
These findings were reported in studies. They do not predict an individual's experience.
Side effects and combination studies
No side-effect or combination findings are available to show from the collected papers. This does not establish safety.