Dietary Intake and Sources of Potassium in a Cross-Sectional Study of Australian Adults

Abstract

A diet rich in potassium is important to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. This study assessed potassium intake; food sources of potassium (including NOVA level of processing, purchase origin of these foods); and sodium-to-potassium ratio (Na:K) in a cross-section of Australian adults. Data collection included 24-h urines (n = 338) and a 24-h diet recall (subsample n = 142). The mean (SD) age of participants was 41.2 (13.9) years and 56% were females. Mean potassium (95%CI) 24-h urinary excretion was 76.8 (73.0–80.5) mmol/day compared to 92.9 (86.6–99.1) by 24-h diet recall. Na:K was 1.9 (1.8–2.0) from the urine excretion and 1.4 (1.2–1.7) from diet recall. Foods contributing most to potassium were potatoes (8%), dairy milk (6%), dishes where cereal is the main ingredient (6%) and coffee/coffee substitutes (5%). Over half of potassium (56%) came from minimally processed foods, with 22% from processed and 22% from ultraprocessed foods. Almost two-thirds of potassium consumed was from foods purchased from food stores (58%), then food service sector (15%), and fresh food markets (13%). Overall, potassium levels were lower than recommended to reduce chronic disease risk. Multifaceted efforts are required for population-wide intervention—aimed at increasing fruit, vegetable, and other key sources of potassium intake; reducing consumption of processed foods; and working in supermarket/food service sector settings to improve the healthiness of foods available.

Dietary Sodium and Potassium Intake: Data from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey 2016

“…However, the Mexican diet is different from this population; it has higher mortality rates attributed to a high Na intake compared to Mexico [44]. In addition to the above, our results are consistent with a study conducted with Australian adults, in which the main sources of K consumption were vegetables, meat, poultry, fruits, and milk products [64].…”

“…Another study carried out with American adults showed that the mean population consumption was close to 3 500 mg/day, while the mean K consumption was close to 2 800 mg/day [65]. Our results did not show a high proportion between Na: K; however, other countries have shown that these proportions are above two [63,64], which was related to diastolic and systolic pressure. Mexican adults have shown to have the highest potassium consumption in the population.…”

“…A study carried out in China showed that Na consumption in the adult population was above 4 100 mg/day, while K consumption was between 1 500 and 1 600 mg / day [63]. A study carried out with Australian adults showed that the median K intake was high, since it was above 3 000 mg/day [64]. Another study carried out with American adults showed that the mean population consumption was close to 3 500 mg/day, while the mean K consumption was close to 2 800 mg/day [65].…”

Dietary Modelling to Explore the Impact of Potassium Chloride Replacement for Sodium in Bread for Adults with Chronic Kidney Disease

“…Food sources of dietary potassium salts include leafy green vegetables, vine fruits, and root vegetables. In the Australian diet, potatoes (8%), dairy milk (6%), cereal-based mains (6%), coffee or coffee substitutes (5%), and tropical and subtropical fruit juices (5%) are also major sources of dietary potassium [ 12 ]. Food sources of potassium are not in the form of potassium chloride, although this is becoming increasingly popular as a substitution for NaCl in food manufacturing via recipe reformulation efforts [ 13 ].…”

“…Recent research suggests that an increase in the intake of naturally occurring dietary potassium, in the form of increased fruit, vegetable, and dairy product intake, may have a positive impact on reducing blood pressure, decreasing the risk of CVD, and mitigating the consequences of high sodium consumption [ 12 , 14 ]. In the 2014 P.U.R.E.…”