Increased consumption of potassium-rich foods as part of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet did not raise blood potassium to dangerous levels in people taking medications to lower blood pressure, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2026 in Arlington, Virginia. The findings, which are considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal, offer reassurance that the DASH diet can be safely prescribed to a broad population, including those on medications that can increase potassium levels.
High blood potassium, or hyperkalemia, can disrupt the heart's rhythm and is a particular concern for individuals with impaired kidney function or those taking certain medications for Type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and high blood pressure. The DASH diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and low-fat dairy while limiting red meat, salt, and added sugars, aligns with the American Heart Association's 2026 Dietary Guidance to Improve Cardiovascular Health and is well-established for managing blood pressure.
"The DASH diet is a well-known, proven nutrition pattern that is known to improve blood pressure," said Marian Budu, M.B.B.S., M.P.H., a clinical research coordinator on the GoFresh Trials at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, and the presenting author. "However, dangerous potassium levels can occur in people taking blood pressure medications and NSAIDs. Knowing that the DASH diet did not increase blood potassium levels in this population with normal baseline potassium levels provides assurance that the DASH diet can be prescribed to a wide range of people."
The study was a secondary analysis of the GoFresh and GoFresh Rx randomized trials, which enrolled 356 Black adults in the greater Boston area with high blood pressure, including those taking and not taking blood pressure medications. Participants had an average age of 53, and 70% were women. Half received three months of weekly DASH-patterned groceries and nutrition counseling, while the other half received a cash stipend to buy their own groceries. The groceries were designed to provide approximately 4,700 mg of potassium per day and a 2:1 potassium-to-sodium ratio. Blood potassium levels were measured at the start and after 12 weeks.
The analysis found no significant increase in potassium levels among participants taking ACE inhibitors, ARBs, potassium-sparing diuretics, beta blockers, or NSAIDs, regardless of whether they received the grocery intervention or the stipend. Average baseline serum potassium was normal at 4.16 mmol/L in the grocery group and 4.18 mmol/L in the stipend group. "The original GoFresh trial was successful in improving blood pressure when following the DASH diet," said Kevin Volpp, M.D., Ph.D., a volunteer expert with the American Heart Association and scientific lead of the Association's Health Care by Food initiative. "This follow-up study is important because it confirms that significant increases in potassium did not occur with the DASH diet, even for patients on medications that might contribute to increased potassium levels. Managing and monitoring potassium levels is key because they have a direct impact on heart function."
Dr. Volpp, who was not involved in the study, is the Ralph and Beth Johnston Muller Director at the Penn Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics and a professor at the Perelman School of Medicine and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
The researchers noted limitations: the study did not include people with stage 4 or stage 5 kidney disease or those with higher-than-normal potassium levels at baseline, and the population was limited to Black individuals in Boston, so results may not be generalizable. Future research should focus on participants with suboptimal kidney function and higher baseline potassium levels. The full abstract will be published in the Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2026 Supplement of the Hypertension journal on November 17, 2026. Additional resources are available in the release link, and related American Heart Association news releases include Following 9 key steps for a lifetime of eating well can support heart health and Reducing sodium in everyday foods may yield heart-health benefits across populations. For more information on potassium, see A Primer on Potassium. The original release is available on www.newmediawire.com.
