Potassium is the dietary equal of HIIT: everybody is aware of it’s necessary, however not many individuals know why. Much like consuming dietary fiber and healthy fat, consuming meals excessive in potassium is essential to sustaining good well being.
Without enough potassium, you may expertise muscle cramps, fatigue, or elevated blood stress. So, learn on to be taught what potassium is, why your physique wants it, and the way to make sure you’re getting sufficient.
What Is Potassium?
Potassium is a key mineral for our our bodies. “It’s discovered inside cells, and is important in regulating fluid and electrolyte stability within the physique,” says Jennifer Glockner, R.D.N. and creator of Smartee Plate.
As a result of potassium is an electrolyte, she explains, it helps conduct electrical fees within the physique, which in flip helps contraction of the center and muscle groups.
How A lot Potassium Do I Want Per Day?
In accordance with the 2021–2025 Dietary Pointers for People, the recommended daily intake of potassium for the common wholesome grownup is 2,600 mg for ladies and three,400 mg for males.
“Most of us don’t eat sufficient recent fruits and veggies,” says Glockner, “and subsequently, we don’t eat sufficient potassium in our eating regimen.”
After all, it’s unlikely (and doubtless inadvisable) that you just’ll get 3,400 milligrams of potassium from only one meals supply. However you may get sufficient potassium by taking a diverse strategy to your eating regimen, and prioritizing meals excessive in potassium, like fruits, greens, and legumes.
Can You Overdose on Potassium?
Most individuals have a tough sufficient time consuming the really useful quantity per day, so it’s tough to get an excessive amount of potassium.
“Nonetheless, these with impaired kidney perform ought to seek the advice of their healthcare supplier and most probably might be instructed to restrict potassium consumption,” says Beachbody Senior Vitamin Supervisor Krista Maguire, R.D., C.S.S.D.
That’s as a result of the kidney is chargeable for flushing out extra potassium in your urine. When you have kidney illness, although, “the kidney can’t take away the surplus potassium, which then accumulates within the blood, and will trigger hurt,” says Glockner. This may end up in a situation referred to as hyperkalemia, which Glockner says could contribute to coronary heart issues.
When you have a historical past of kidney illness or coronary heart points, discuss to your physician to make sure you’re getting the correct quantity of potassium.
What Are the Advantages of Potassium?
Consuming meals excessive in potassium is necessary for normal cell perform, Maguire says. “Potassium can be necessary for coronary heart well being in that it might assist keep regular blood stress,” she explains. “Particularly when sodium consumption is excessive.”
That’s why upping your potassium consumption whereas concurrently lowering your sodium consumption could assist maintain healthy blood pressure, Glockner says, probably main to higher general heart health. Elevated potassium consumption has additionally been linked to higher bone mineral density, she provides.
20 Finest Sources of Potassium
Bananas aren’t the one — and even greatest — supply of potassium.
“There are meals that present much more,” Maguire says, like sure dried fruits and legumes.
Attempt to get your every day potassium from quite a lot of meals so you possibly can rating different vitamins on the identical time. Assume: fiber, unsaturated fats, protein, and a slew of various essential vitamins.
Right here’s an inventory of wholesome meals ordered from highest in potassium to lowest.
1. White Beans
One cup, canned, comprises 1,189 milligrams of potassium
2. Dried Apricots
One half cup comprises 1,101 milligrams of potassium
3. Swiss Chard
One cup, cooked and chopped, comprises 961 milligrams of potassium
4. Lentils
One cup, cooked, comprises 731 milligrams of potassium
5. Acorn squash
One cup, cooked and mashed, comprises 644 milligrams of potassium
6. Potato
One medium potato, baked with flesh, comprises 610 milligrams of potassium
7. Kidney beans
One cup, canned, comprises 607 milligrams of potassium
8. Raisins
One half cup comprises 598 milligrams of potassium
9. Yogurt
One cup, plain and low-fat, comprises 573 milligrams of potassium
10. Lima beans
One cup, canned, comprises 530 milligrams of potassium
11. Tomato juice
One cup, canned, comprises 527 milligrams of potassium
12. Soybeans
One half cup, boiled, comprises 485 milligrams of potassium
13. Banana
One medium fruit comprises 422 milligrams of potassium
14. Peas
One cup, boiled, comprises 384 milligrams of potassium
15. Candy potato
One medium potato, boiled, comprises 347 milligrams of potassium
16. Avocado
One half of a medium avocado comprises 345 milligrams of potassium
17. Spinach
2 cups, uncooked, comprise 335 milligrams of potassium
18. Salmon
3-oz. fillet, Atlantic, farmed, comprises 326 milligrams of potassium
19. Beets
One half cup, boiled and sliced, comprises 259 milligrams of potassium
20. Brussels sprouts
One half cup, cooked, comprises 247 milligrams of potassium
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