The recommended daily potassium intake varies by age, sex, and life stage, but general guidelines for healthy adults are:
- Adult men (19 years and older): about 3,400 mg per day
- Adult women (19 years and older): about 2,600 mg per day
- Pregnant women: around 2,900 mg per day
- Breastfeeding women: around 2,800 mg per day
For teens, the recommendations are slightly lower, for example, boys 14–18 years need about 3,000 mg, and girls the same age about 2,300 mg daily
. Some health organizations and experts suggest aiming for a potassium intake between 3,500 mg and 4,700 mg daily for adults to support heart health, muscle function, and blood pressure regulation
. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises adults not to exceed 4,700 mg of potassium daily to avoid potential risks from excessive intake
. People with certain health conditions, such as kidney disease, may need to manage potassium intake differently and should consult their healthcare provider
. In summary, a typical adult should aim for about 2,600–3,400 mg daily, with an upper limit around 4,700 mg, primarily obtained from potassium-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, dairy, and fish.
