3 Superfoods to Counter Potassium Deficiency

Potassium is one of the essential minerals needed by your body to function properly. Although it is one of the most abundant mineral in our body, it can also get depleted by several factors like certain medications, excessive vomiting and diarrhea, eating salty foods, alcohol, soda and yes, even coffee. Potassium performs an important role in nerve stimulation and muscle contraction, especially with the heart’s muscle. It also serves as an electrolyte that is vital for cardiac health as well as in keeping a proper balance of water both in and out of our body’s cell.

What happens if your body lack potassium?  Potassium deficiency results in a condition called hypokalemia whose early signs include fatigue, muscle weakness, abnormal heart beat and palpitation. Potassium has a vital role in higher brain function and lack of this mineral will affect the electrical conductivity of the brain and its function, thus resulting in poor memory and learning skills. In addition, there will be nothing to counter the effect of sodium in balancing the normal blood pressure in our body. Absence of vasodilating properties of potassium can increase the risk of high blood pressure.

Therefore, if your lifestyle cannot support in nourishing your body naturally with this important mineral, you need to replenish it by eating potassium rich foods.

Here are your 3 best potassium-rich superfoods:

Potato

Potassium content level: 845 milligrams. It is probably the highest source of potassium among fruits and vegetable. It is also the most affordable source which cost half of most of other produce.  A single medium size white potato holds about 620mg or an equivalent of 18% of a person’s daily requirement of potassium. Potato has also one of the most nutritional value among vegetables. Best eaten boiled with skin on for maximum health benefits. Make sure that it’s organically grown.

Sweet Potato

Potassium content level: 694 milligrams. Cooked with skin on can provide your body a third of your daily requirements of potassium including other vitamins and minerals. It has around 26 grams of carbohydrate, 2 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber and with almost zero fat. Keep in mind that organic sweet potato is best.

Avocado

Potassium content level: 602 milligrams. Its potassium content is even higher than banana. A 1/5 serving can give you around 140mg of potassium. It also has the highest content of a cancer fighting carotenoid called lutein and a super antioxidant amino acid called glutathione. A single ripe avocado is also a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals as well as phytochemicals and heart friendly monounsaturated fats. Best taken raw or mixed with your favorite salad.

Never underestimate the benefits of potassium because a severe loss of this mineral can be life threatening.

About Ramon

Ramon Mañego writes for Organics Superfoods Store. Organic Superfoods Store is an online store, based in Florida serving their customers since 2012.

Find out more at:

http://organicsfs.com

https://www.facebook.com/superfoodsstore

https://plus.google.com/+Organicsfs

http://www.pinterest.com/organicsfs

https://twitter.com/organicsfs