Potassium – Benefits and Food Sources

  • Potassium is one of the seven essential macro-minerals. A high potassium intake reduces the risk of overall mortality by 20 percent.
  • It also decreases the risk of stroke, lowers blood pressure, protects against loss of muscle mass, preserves bone mineral density, and reduces the formation of kidney stones.
  • The primary functions of potassium in the body include regulating fluid balance and controlling the electrical activity of the heart and other muscles.
  • Adults should be consuming 4,700 milligrams (mg) of potassium a day. Potassium supports blood pressure, cardiovascular health, bone strength, and muscle strength.

Foods rich in potassium:

  • Bananas, oranges, cantaloupe, honeydew, apricots, grapefruit (some dried fruits, such as prunes, raisins, and dates, are also high in potassium)
  • Cooked spinach
  • Cooked broccoli
  • Potatoes
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Mushrooms
  • Peas
  • Cucumbers
  • Zucchini
  • Pumpkins
  • Leafy greens
  • Lima beans
  • Pinto beans
  • Kidney beans
  • Soybeans
  • Lentils
  • Nuts like Almonds, Cashews, Pistachios, Peanuts, Walnuts, Hazelnuts

~Praveen Jada

*Do read the Disclaimer

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23674806/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4963920/

https://www.webmd.com/diet/foods-rich-in-potassium