Foods High in Potassium

Bodily processes depend on the mineral potassium to balance the pH levels in the body’s internal fluids. Potassium effects each area of the body so it important to get plenty in foods. High potassium foods incorporate several vegetables, fruits and meats that compose our diets every day. Below we will reveal foods high in potassium and the effects of potassium on the body.

Potassium appears in a lot of foods, covering the food pyramid. You can absorb abundant potassium through many varieties of meat, including fish. Probably the best known potassium rich food is the banana, and it most certainly is both high in the mineral and is a very accessible piece of produce. Fruits containing high quantities of the mineral consist of avocado, melons, apricots and kiwi and all of these are super healthy foods. High potassium can also be found in the following vegetables: spinach, lima beans, winter squash and tomatoes. Potatoes and most varieties of beans are also high in this mineral.

People who suffer from certain disorders that make it so their body cannot completely process potassium can still eat lots of fruits and vegetables. For low potassium fruits, eat plums, cranberries, grapes, blueberries and apples. For vegetables, you can try iceberg lettuces, green beans, bell peppers and cabbage.

Normally, a person’s physical condition is what can lead to a potassium deficiency instead of not eating the proper foods. With this mineral available in so many foods, the majority of people easily gets their daily intake. Severe sweating, starvation diets or diarrhea are the leading factors resulting in a deficiency. Potassium is considered an electrolyte, and along with sodium and calcium, it is both imperative to human life and can easily be lost through bodily fluids like sweat. Athletes and people living and working in hot environments need more potassium than normal.

While a potassium deficiency is known as hypokalemia, it is possible to have too much potassium, this is referred to as hyperkalemia. Diabetes and kidney failure cause the body to be unable to process this mineral efficiently, so potassium should be avoided if you suffer from either of these disorders.

Obtaining potassium in your diet helps regulate blood pressure. Potassium maintains the pH balance in your bodily fluids meaning it impacts all processes in the body from the blood stream to the digestive system to your hormones. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for potassium is 3500 milligrams every day, or roughly 3.5 grams. The average American consumes between 2 and 6 grams of this nutrient in their diets, so most of us get enough. A very important thing to remember though, when calculating your potassium intake, is that potassium is lost when subjected to heat. So a vegetable that is canned or boiled will not contain as much potassium as one that was steamed or eaten raw.

Eating foods high in potassium is important, but fortunately, eating even a moderately healthy diet(GM Diet Plan) should fulfill your daily needs. Professionals suggest consuming this mineral through foods rather than supplements because potassium in the supplement form, if mis-taken, can have serious side effects. So with a piece fruit and a serving of vegetables, you are helping to maintain the quality of your body’s fluids.