How much potassium is in green tea?

December 25, 2025 •

3 min read

According to USDA data, a standard eight-ounce cup of brewed green tea contains approximately 20 mg of potassium. While this may seem like a small amount, understanding how much potassium is in green tea can help determine its role in your overall diet and health.

Quick Summary

A brewed cup of green tea contains a small amount of potassium, providing minimal contribution to your daily needs. The exact quantity can vary based on factors like brewing method, water quality, and tea type. Its primary health benefits come from antioxidants, not significant mineral levels.

Key Points

Small Amount: A standard 8 oz cup of brewed green tea contains about 20 mg of potassium, a very small percentage of the daily recommended intake.
Not a Key Source: Green tea should not be relied upon as a significant source of dietary potassium.
Brewing Method Matters: The mineral content extracted into the tea is influenced by brewing time, water quality, and the specific tea variety used.
Compare with Other Teas: Black tea contains significantly more potassium per cup than green tea.
Antioxidants are Key: The primary health benefits of green tea come from powerful antioxidants like catechins, not from its minimal mineral content.
Other Sources are Better: For substantial potassium intake, fruits, vegetables, and other whole foods are far superior sources.
Dietary Considerations: Individuals with kidney concerns or on restricted-potassium diets should consult a doctor, though green tea's low content makes it generally safe.

Potassium Content in Brewed Green Tea

For a standard 8-ounce (245 g) cup of regular brewed green tea, the potassium content is about 19.6 to 20 mg. This constitutes a minimal fraction of the recommended daily intake for an adult, which is between 3,500 and 4,700 mg, according to health guidelines. While green tea leaves themselves contain a higher concentration of minerals, only a small percentage of these are extracted into the water during brewing. The high water content of the brewed tea significantly dilutes the minerals present in the dry leaves, meaning a single cup is not a significant source of this essential electrolyte.

Factors Influencing Potassium Levels

Several factors determine the final concentration of potassium in a cup of green tea. These variables can cause the mineral content to fluctuate, affecting the brew's nutritional profile.

Brewing Time: A longer steeping time can lead to a greater extraction of minerals from the tea leaves. However, this also increases the release of other compounds, like tannins, which can cause bitterness.
Water Quality: The type of water used for brewing plays a significant role. Brewing with distilled or low-mineral water will result in a tea with lower mineral content compared to brewing with tap water, which contains its own set of minerals. Hard water, which is high in minerals like calcium and magnesium, may also affect the extraction process itself.
Tea Variety and Origin: The specific variety of Camellia sinensis plant, its growing conditions (soil quality), and geographical origin all influence the mineral composition of the dried leaves. Studies show that different varieties can have varying levels of potassium.
Processing Method: How the tea leaves are processed also matters. Green tea is unfermented, which helps preserve antioxidants. However, other tea types that undergo different processing methods will have varied mineral profiles.

Potassium in Green Tea vs. Other Teas

To put the potassium content of green tea into perspective, it's helpful to compare it with other popular teas. This comparison reveals that green tea is not a standout source of this mineral.


Tea Type	Typical Potassium (per 8 oz cup)	Key Differences in Content
Green Tea	~20 mg	Lower potassium than black tea. Preserves antioxidants.
Black Tea	~88 mg	Significantly higher potassium content due to processing differences.
Oolong Tea	~29 mg	Mid-range potassium content, partially oxidized tea.
Chrysanthemum Tea	Rich source	Known for being naturally high in potassium.

As the table illustrates, black tea contains substantially more potassium than green tea, while herbal infusions like chrysanthemum tea can offer even higher amounts. This makes green tea a poor choice for those specifically seeking to boost their potassium intake through tea.

The Bigger Picture: Green Tea's Primary Benefits

While the potassium level is minimal, the health benefits of green tea stem from other powerful compounds. Its primary value lies in its high concentration of polyphenols and catechins, such as EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate). These antioxidants are linked to numerous health effects:

Cardiovascular Health: Catechins can help reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels, supporting heart health.
Antioxidant Effects: The high antioxidant content helps combat oxidative stress and cellular damage in the body.
Cognitive Function: Some research suggests that compounds in green tea may offer neuroprotective benefits, potentially reducing the risk of cognitive decline.
Anti-inflammatory Properties: The anti-inflammatory effects of polyphenols can help manage various health conditions.

Practical Implications for Dietary Potassium

For most people, the small amount of potassium in green tea is not a cause for concern. For individuals with certain health conditions, particularly kidney issues, managing potassium intake is critical. The average person should focus on obtaining potassium from more significant dietary sources like fruits and vegetables, rather than relying on tea.

Conclusion

In summary, a typical 8-ounce cup of brewed green tea contains a modest amount of potassium, around 20 mg. The mineral content can vary depending on brewing method, water quality, and the tea itself. For most individuals, this small amount is not a significant dietary contribution. The true health benefits of green tea are attributed to its rich antioxidant profile, particularly catechins. While a refreshing and healthy beverage choice, it is important to look to more substantial dietary sources to meet your daily potassium needs. For individuals on a low-potassium diet, or those with kidney concerns, the low concentration in green tea makes it a suitable beverage choice, but it is always wise to consult a healthcare provider with specific dietary questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, green tea is not a significant source of potassium. With only about 20 mg per cup, it does not contribute meaningfully to increasing your daily potassium intake. You should rely on potassium-rich foods like fruits and vegetables instead.

No, green tea is not considered high in potassium. Its potassium content is very low, especially when compared to foods like bananas or sweet potatoes. The primary health benefits of green tea come from its antioxidant content, not its minerals.

Black tea generally contains significantly more potassium than green tea. An 8-ounce cup of black tea can have around 88 mg of potassium, compared to green tea's roughly 20 mg.

Yes, factors like brewing time, water temperature, and the mineral content of the water itself can all affect how much potassium is extracted from the leaves and ends up in your cup.

For most individuals on a low-potassium diet, green tea is a safe beverage due to its low mineral content. However, individuals with severe kidney disease should always consult their doctor or a renal dietitian about fluid and mineral intake.

Excellent food sources of potassium include leafy greens like spinach, root vegetables such as sweet potatoes, and fruits like bananas and avocados. These provide far more potassium than any amount of green tea.

Green tea extracts and supplements may contain higher, more concentrated levels of potassium and other compounds from the tea leaves. It is important to check the nutrition facts on the specific product, as content will vary.