Potassium is one of the minerals in your body. After all, it’s the one thing that keeps your heart beating at a steady rate. It is also vital in the functioning of the brain, kidneys, muscles and yes your bones. Its main function is sending nerve signals, regulating muscle contractions, and managing fluid balance. So, getting ample amounts of potassium to wonders to several aspects of your health. So, here are some health benefits:
HEALTH NERVOUS SYSTEM - Throughout your body there are nerve cells, which are responsible for relaying messages between your brain and other parts of your body. Low potassium concentration in the blood can cause everything from abnormal heart rhythm to muscle paralysis.
MUSCLE CONTRACTION - Potassium is crucial for nerve impulses, and muscle contraction. So you need potassium to move all your muscles. In fact, the contraction and relaxation cycle depends on potassium, and that included your heart. It keeps your fluids and electrolytes balanced during and after physical exertion.
HEART RATE - This organ is widely considered the hardest working muscle in the body. Daily, it pumps an average of 2,500 gallons of blood throughout the body, and during a lifespan will beat around a billion times. Amazing! So, your body needs sufficient potassium to maintain a healthy heart rate.
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE - Your blood pressure and sodium intake are closely related. Too much sodium is said to increase blood pressure. Now, the sodium - potassium relation is key for a healthy heart rate. By eating potassium rich foods, while at the same time reducing sodium intake you can go a long way to restoring blood pressure levels. So, you see the need for improving your potassium intake.
The NASEM Committee recommends that women 19 and older should get at least 2600 mg daily and for men within the same age range should get 3400 mg daily.
Potassium rich foods include - avocado, baked potato with skin, Medjool dates, pomegranate, lima beans, bananas, lentils, milk, and mushrooms just to name a few.
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