Potassium is an essential mineral for balance in the body. It’s also an electrolyte that us essential for health and well-being that manages multiple functions in the body. Potassium conducts electricity in the body helping to maintain a healthy nervous system, muscle contraction and heart function. It also plays an important role in skeletal function as well as maintaining normal digestive function.
Having too much potassium is harmful (known as hyperkalemia), but having too little pottasium (hypokalemia) is harmful also. Hyperkalemia is quite uncommon though, Hypokalemia (potassium deficiency) is much more common. In fact, 98% of Americans are deficient in potassium according to NutritionFacts.org as you can see in this video:
Interesting Fact: There Are 47 Foods With More Potassium Than Bananas
When You’re Deficient in Potassium…
Potassium is such an important electrolyte for so many functions to maintain proper health. In studies, potassium has been found to reduce osteoporosis in elderly women. Potassium is an important mineral for healthy bone formation. When you’re deficient, your bones suffer.
Potassium is also important for a healthy and regular heartbeat as well as maintaining healthy muscle function, digestive function and stomach function. When you’re deficient in potassium it can cause an irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, disruption in the stomach and digestive system and more. People with a higher amount of potassium in their diet also reduce their risk of stroke.
Adequate potassium levels ensure that you reduce your risk of heart disease which is the #1 cause of death in America. 4,700 MG a day is the RDA of potassium dietary intake each day.
If you have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) then you may have a hard time digesting potassium properly so it may be important to eat potassium rich foods as well as take a potassium supplement such as this one.
Top 10 Potassium Rich Foods:
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White Beans
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Lima Beans
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Shiitake Dried
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Pinto Beans
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Red Kidney Beans
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Wheat Bran
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Black Eyed Beans
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Wheat Germ, Toasted
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Lentils
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Chickpeas, Dry
Other great sources include Yams, Beet Greens, Raisins-Seedless, Almonds-Whole, Poppy Seeds, spinach, parsley, avocado, banana, sweet potato, coconut water.
Eating adequate amounts of potassium in your diet (4,700 MG per day) ensure a healthy and normal heart rate, digestive system, muscle and bone development and electrical systems of your body. Keep your potassium levels high with a diet rich in the foods above. If you get a test done and find out you have low potassium then I recommend not only eating the foods above more consistently but also taking a potassium supplement to support the process.
Source: http://www.anneshealthykitchen.com/top-50-foods-high-in-potassium/
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