Potassium is a mineral and is one of seven essential minerals which also includes calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulfur, chloride, and phosphorus. Potassium can be found in plenty of popular food items and should be consumed daily to enable the benefits to work on the body. The main benefit of potassium is to regulate fluids in the body and control activity of the heart and muscles as well as blood pressure.
Adults should consume at least 4700 milligrams of potassium a day to keep their levels good. However many people in the US do not consume enough potassium which can lead to health problems. Problems of potassium deficiency include fatigue, weakness of the body and constipation and if low levels continue, it can lead to extreme problems and health conditions. Too much potassium is also a problem and known as Hyperkalemia (when there is too much potassium in the blood) which can lead to health problems.
Potassium can be consumed through dietary supplements however the best way to get the mineral into the body is to eat food that is high in potassium. Some food that is high in potassium includes bananas, spinach, avocado, beet potatoes and cantaloupe melon as well as plenty of more fruit and vegetable. All of these offer a wide range of health benefits as they are packed full of key vitamins and minerals needed to help improve the body. They are a great source of potassium and help improve the body’s blood pressure, fluid levels and plenty more.
Blood Pressure
Potassium helps to improve blood pressures levels in the body as well as overall cardiovascular health. Research has found that people who have high blood pressure have low levels of potassium and when they add more potassium-rich food into their diet, their blood pressure improves. An increase in potassium also helps improve cardiovascular health which reduces the risk of heart attacks, strokes and heart problems.
Prevents Cramps
Cramps in the body are a serious and frequent problem for most people. Many people suffer from leg cramps due to dehydration however lack of essential vitamins and minerals can also cause this. Muscle cramps are a common problem when someone has low levels of potassium in the blood (hypokalemia). Therefore if someone is suffering from muscle cramps often, they should eat a banana every day and see if the leg cramps stop. Bananas are rich in potassium and an easy and tasty way to get potassium in the body.
Brain Function
Potassium helps to maintain the electrical activity of the brain which affects the function of the brain. It also helps the higher brain function including memory and learning. If someone has low levels of potassium, they are likely to snuggle with complex cognitive tasks as potassium plays a key role in maintaining the brains neural activity.
Anxiety
Potassium has been linked with helping improve their mental state particularly for people suffering from anxiety and stress. The mineral helps regulate hormones in the body including cortisol and adrenaline. When the body has excessive amounts of these chemicals in the body, people experience feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. By improving levels of potassium, the chemicals can be regulated helping to destress the body. Potassium is considered one of the best minerals and treatment methods for chronic stress and can work as a powerful tool to help improve mental performance.
Fluid Levels
Potassium works as an excellent electrolyte in the body. It regulates the fluid levels in the body and helps in a number of impotent bodily functions. The role of electrolytes in the body is to transmit electrical charges through the body form the brain and nerves system. When someone has the right amount of potassium in the body, they can benefit from the extra electrolytes working to make everything in the body function better and faster.
Potassium is found in a wide range of food that is easy to access and delicious to eat. The mineral is vital for bodily functions and maintenance of important parts of the body. By ensuring your diet is rich in potassium, you will be able to reap the benefits from potassium and help ward off diseases. There is plenty of choices when it comes to choosing potassium-rich food from spinach, melon, and bananas to avocados, white beans, nuts, and potatoes, there is something for all tastes and diets.
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