One's body requires a wide variety of vitamins and minerals in order to function appropriately and potassium is among one of those critical minerals since our system needs to allow our muscles, cells, and organs to function properly. Potassium is also one of three minerals that make up the electrolyte family of minerals (the other two are sodium and chloride). Potassium is considered an electrolyte since it helps conduct electricity when it is dissolved in water.

Getting a sufficient amount of potassium in our eating plan allows us to make the most of its amazing benefits, which includes, playing a major role in the healthy muscle tissue and nerve activity, supporting the proper function of the heart, lessening the possible risk of elevated blood pressure levels, administering the circulation of nutrients in our body, i.e., absorption of nutrients into our cells, and transporting waste out of our cells, supporting with the storage of carbohydrates employed by our body as fuel, slowing calcium loss that may result in decreased bone mineral density, and decreasing the possibility of cerebrovascular accident.

They've also been claims that eating food rich in potassium and limiting sodium intake can aid in restoring the natural function of human cells and can cause the arrest or reversal of cancerous tumors.

Lower concentrations of potassium in our blood results in a condition called hypopotassemia, aka hypokalemia, and might cause several medical issues which include stomach cramping, queasiness and vomiting, hypertension, heightened potential for stroke, muscular stress and fatigue triggering muscle cramps.

Severe hypokalemia can result in major disturbances in the operation of skeletal muscle tissue and nerves eventually inducing respiratory depression.

The advised dose of potassium is anywhere between 4g and 5g each day. That being said, it is really quite difficult to overdose on potassium. A 150 lbs. (68 Kg) individual would have to ingest 170g of potassium in just one sitting in to reach a fatal amount. That's the same as ingesting 400 bananas (or 170 avocados, or 180 baked potatoes) in one sitting!

Potassium can be found in a mixed assortment of foods which includes everything from vegetables and fruits, to legumes, dairy, and even meat. Some common sources of potassium are tomatoes, bananas, apricot, avocados, and yogurt. This makes it simple to obtain the advised 5g of potassium each day when you keep a healthy sensible diet.

Potassium fun facts: Besides being an important nutrient, potassium also has several other uses. It is used in explosives and fireworks, to make soap and glass, to develop photographs (in the form of potassium bromide), and in various medicines. Plants need potassium to thrive. Potassium deficiency in plants can leave them with turned out edges and looking gray. Potassium can be used as a substitute for table salt. Potassium chloride can replace sodium chloride if you need to reduce your intake of sodium.