What does potassium do in your body?

It helps your nerves to function and muscles to contract. It helps your heartbeat stay regular. It also helps move nutrients into cells and waste products out of cells. A diet rich in potassium helps to offset some of sodium’s harmful effects on blood pressure.

What is potassium in food?

Leafy greens, beans, nuts, dairy foods, and starchy vegetables like winter squash are rich sources.

• Dried fruits (raisins, apricots)
• Beans, lentils.
• Potatoes.
• Winter squash (acorn, butternut)
• Spinach, broccoli.
• Beet greens.
• Avocado.
• Bananas.

What can happen if your potassium level is too low?

In hypokalemia, the level of potassium in blood is too low. A low potassium level has many causes but usually results from vomiting, diarrhea, adrenal gland disorders, or use of diuretics. A low potassium level can make muscles feel weak, cramp, twitch, or even become paralyzed, and abnormal heart rhythms may develop.

What foods cause high potassium?

High-potassium foods to avoid

• nuts.
• beans and legumes.
• potatoes.
• bananas.
• most dairy products.
• avocados.
• salty foods.
• fast foods.

Which fruit is high in potassium?

Many fresh fruits and vegetables are rich in potassium: Bananas, oranges, cantaloupe, honeydew, apricots, grapefruit (some dried fruits, such as prunes, raisins, and dates, are also high in potassium) Cooked spinach.

What are some interesting facts about potassium?

– Potassium is the 7th most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, accounting for about 2.5\% of its mass. Element number 19 is the 8th most abundant element in the human body, accounting for between 0.20\% and 0.35\% of body mass. Potassium is the second lightest (least dense) metal after lithium.[1] – Potassium was the first elemental metal to be found through electrolysis. Potassium is the seventh most abundant element on Earth. It makes up roughly 1.5\% by mass of the Earth’s crust. It was first isolated by Sir Humphry Davy in 1807.[2] – Potassium bicarbonate is the chemical name for baking soda. Potassium chloride (KCl) is sometimes used as a substitute for table salt. The USDA recommends that adults consume 4.7 grams of potassium each day. A small amount of potassium can taste sweet.[3]

What are facts about potassium?

Low potassium in the body is called hypokalemia.

Your potassium levels may be off without these extreme symptoms,however.

Sounds fun: According to Humphry Davy’s lab assistant,the scientist reacted with glee when he discovered his new element.