First of all, potassium helps blood pressure.
It does this in two different ways:
• First, with the aid of your kidneys, potassium helps remove extra sodium from your body through your urine. This is a good thing because too much sodium can cause high blood pressure.
• Second, potassium helps the walls of your blood vessels to relax or loosen up. When they’re too tense or rigid, it can cause high vital sign, which may cause heart problems. Getting enough potassium is good for your heart.
You also need enough potassium for good muscle health — so that your muscles can flex or contract the way they should. And your nerves need potassium so that they will work well.
How much potassium do you need?
You should get 4,700 milligrams (mg) of potassium a day.
How much is 4700 Mg?
Equal to more than 15 bananas.
But you cannot have more 1 Banana a day.
But, Your needs might be different if you have kidney disease.
Some people with kidney disease should get less than 4,700 mg potassium.
If your kidneys don’t work well, an excessive amount of potassium could stay in your body, which may cause nerve and muscle problems. If you’ve got renal disorder and your doctor hasn’t already told you what your potassium limit is, ask about it.
Food Sources of Potassium:
The topmost sources of potassium without any sugar or salt are the green leafy vegetables. The more you eat the better they are.
However, you should at-least get 8 cups of raw veggies in a salad or cooked form.
Other sources are :
Bananas, oranges, cantaloupe, honeydew, apricots, grapefruit, Cooked spinach, Cooked broccoli, Limited Potatoes, Sweet potatoes, Mushrooms, Peas, Cucumbers, Zucchini, Eggplant, Pumpkins, Tuna, Halibut, Cod, Trout, Rockfish, freshwater fishes, Lima beans, Pinto beans, Kidney beans, Soybeans, Lentils
