Potassium Intake of the U.S. Population, What We Eat In America, NHANES 2009–2010

Abstract

Potassium is identified in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans as a nutrient to be increased in the diet, and the Institute of Medicine's Adequate Intake (AI) recommendation is set at 4,700 mg per day for adults. To describe the potassium intake of the U.S. population, data were analyzed from 1‐day food intakes of individuals 2+ years, excluding breastfed infants (N=9042) in What We Eat In America, NHANES, 2009–2010, and the contribution of different foods to population total potassium intake was determined. On the reporting day, the mean (SE) intake was 2640 (18) mg; adult males 20+ years (N=2789) consumed 3172 (44) mg and adult females 20+ years (N=2973) consumed 2408 (22) mg. Potassium density (mg/1000 kcal) was higher in the diets of females compared to males (p<0.0001). Compared to whites and Hispanics, blacks consumed less potassium (−338 mg, p<0.0001); there was no difference between intakes of whites and Hispanics. The top foods contributing to potassium intake were fruits and vegetables (20%), milk and milk drinks (11%), meats and poultry (10%), grain‐based mixed dishes (10%), coffee and tea (7%). By age, the highest contributors to potassium intake were milk and milk drinks for children 2–5 years (27%) and 6–11 years (22%), mixed dishes for adolescents 12–19 years (20%), and fruits and vegetables for adults 20+ years (21%). These data can inform monitoring of population dietary intake and dietary guidance.