Facts About Banana Potassium

For a healthy, happy life and a great source of energy, banana potassium is very important. Bananas are great tropical fruit that has a great source of minerals, vitamin, and protein. It has the capacity of preventing and healing various infections and diseases. It can act as a great diet food due to the calorie content. It can also satisfy people who love sweet products due to the glucose contents.

It is very essential to have a banana as a daily fruit in your diet. Among many fruits, banana is also important as it has a lot of potassium. Potassium is an element which is essential for keeping the blood pressure normal. It also helps in proper functioning of the heart.

Research has found an average banana has an amount of potassium varying from 450 milligrams to 467 milligrams. It has only one milligram of sodium. Apart from bananas, potassium is also present in milk, meats, vegetables and fruits. If you have one banana per day, then you are preventing yourself from atherosclerosis and also from high blood pressure.

A research done on more than 40,000 American men for more than four years showed how a proper diet affects blood pressure. It was found that people who had diet of foods that were high in cereal fiber, magnesium, and rich in potassium had a much less chance of stroke.

The 'Archives of Internal Medicine' has points to prove that people who eat foods high in potassium and fiber like bananas, have a much less risk in developing any heart disease. The potassium-enriched fruit of banana also have the capacity of providing cardiovascular benefits.

Potassium can also increase the health of bones. Banana potassium has the capacity of counteracting the increasing loss of urinary calcium. Such loss is caused by the diets high in salt. This can lead to thinning of the bones at a very fast rate.

Potassium Use

Potassium is one of the electrolytes requires for maintaining health. Potassium balances the levels of acidity, blood pressure and transmits electrical signals between nerve and cells, along with helping in regulating the body's water balance and neuromuscular function. It is required for carbohydrates and protein metabolism.

Potassium is found in fruits (one banana can contain 500mg), beans, milk, whole grains, fish citrus, un-process meats, and vegetables contain significant amount of Potassium.

Potassium has uses in connection to high blood pressure and kidney stones (citrate in combination with magnesium citrate). High deficiency of potassium in human are rare except cases of prolonged vomiting, diarrhea, or use of potassium depleting drug, "diuretic" drugs.

Potassium and sodium work together in the body to maintain muscle tone, blood pressure, water balance and other functions. In hospitals, use of Potassium and Sodium Chloride are often use in IV's for patients to assist in improving their health conditions. Though the amount of Potassium needed for maintaining health is minute, it is essential.

High blood pressure made worsen when there is too much salt and too little dietary potassium in our body. Excess potassium is excreted through urine and sweating. Excessive potassium is toxic and will affect the heart but mainly a problem in the case of kidney failure.

Deficient in potassium may cause fatigue, leg cramps, muscle weakness, slow reflexes, acne, dry skin, mood changes and irregular heartbeat. 3,500 milligrams is the recommended daily intake of potassium. Include in your daily diet a banana, citrus fruit, or a dash of apple vinegar will help replace lost potassium through your daily activities especially in body building.