Potassium-rich foods are especially important for preventing muscle weakness and cramps during stretching exercise. In addition, eating potassium-rich foods is a way to supplement hypertension treatment by helping regulate blood pressure, increasing urinary sodium excretion.
Potassium is mainly found in plant-based foods such as fruits and vegetables and the appropriate potassium intake for adults is 4700 mg per day, which is easily obtained with the diet.
The following table shows which foods contain the most potassium
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To reduce potassium in food, follow these steps:
This method is also recommended for people who have kidney problems and who are on hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, since in these situations potassium is normally high in the blood, so these people can consume these foods rich in potassium, but avoiding their high and excessive concentrations in the blood.
If you don’t want to cook food, you can prepare more and store them in the freezer until you need them. See an example menu of a low-potassium diet.
The amount of potassium to be taken per day varies with age, as shown in the following table:
Lack of potassium, technically called hypokalaemia, can lead to loss of appetite, cramps, muscle paralysis or confusion, which can occur when vomiting, diarrhea, diuretics or regular use of certain medications for high blood pressure are used. Although less common, this can also happen. in athletes who sweat a lot.
Excess potassium is also rare, but can occur primarily when certain high blood pressure medications are used, which can cause arrhythmias.
Learn more about excess and potassium deficiency in your blood.