Low Potassium Intake in the U.S.: Simple Foods That Can Help Your Heart
Your body needs potassium every day because it is a very important mineral. It keeps your blood pressure in check, helps your heart beat normally, and helps your muscles move. But new information from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) shows that a lot of people don’t get enough potassium from their daily diet.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) says that men in the US eat about 3,000 mg of potassium a day and women eat about 2,300 mg a day. Men should eat 3,400 mg and women should eat 2,600 mg, so this is not enough. Low potassium intake over time may make you more likely to get high blood pressure, heart disease, weak muscles, and tiredness.
Easy Ways to Get More Potassium in Your Diet Naturally
The good news is that you can easily raise your potassium levels by eating foods that are cheap and easy to find. Most of the time, you don’t need supplements; natural foods are better.
- Bananas are one of the most popular fruits that are high in potassium. A medium banana is a good source of potassium and is easy to add to breakfast or snacks.
- Another great source is potatoes, especially with the skin on. Potatoes that are boiled or baked give you potassium without adding fat.
- Spinach is a leafy green that is full of potassium and other nutrients that are good for the heart. You can put it in smoothies, soups, or stews.
- Yogurt, especially plain or low-fat kinds, has potassium, calcium, and protein, all of which are good for your heart and bones.
Getting enough potassium helps keep sodium levels in the body in check. This helps keep blood pressure normal and puts less strain on the heart. If you have kidney problems, you should talk to your doctor about how much potassium you should eat. But for most adults, eating foods high in potassium every day is an easy way to improve their heart health.
Your heart will be better off tomorrow if you make small changes to your diet today.
