Potassium can provide you with a variety of health benefits. Learn about the benefits of adding more potassium to your diet.
Potassium regulates your heartbeat and the proper function of your muscles and nerves and is essential for protein synthesis and more. Unfortunately, many Americans don’t get enough potassium from their diets; instead, their salt consumption is high.
Some people believe that this imbalance is partly to blame for the high rates of high blood pressure in the U.S., with 1 in 3 Americans being affected. While bananas are known for their rich potassium content, there are various other fruits and vegetables that are rich in this nutrient. The following is an overview of potassium and the benefits you may experience from adding more to your diet.
Potassium and Blood Pressure
If you follow an eating plan that emphasizes greater potassium intake, like the DASH diet, you can help maintain your blood pressure in a healthy range. On average, Americans consume about 1,700 mg of potassium per day from their diet, which consists of 3.5 daily servings of fruits and vegetables. However, people who follow the DASH diet consume about 4,100 mg of potassium per day.
According to the DASH trial, people who ate an average of 8.5 daily servings of fruits and vegetables lowered their systolic blood pressure (SBP) by 2.8 mm Hg and their diastolic blood pressure (DBP) by 1.1 mm Hg. Furthermore, those who ate the same amount of fruits and vegetables serving while also eating low-fat dairy products and reducing their sugar and meat intake lowered their SBP by 5.5 mm Hg and their DBP by 3.0 mm Hg more than the standard American diet. In people with hypertension, the latter diet reduced their SBP by 11 mm Hg and their DBP by 5.5 mm Hg.
Additional Potassium Benefits
Since high blood pressure is a significant risk factor for strokes, lowering your blood pressure may also help lower your risk of stroke. According to some studies, increasing potassium intake may help lower the risk of stroke.
If you want to increase your potassium and improve your overall health, then start eating more produce. Also, keep in mind that some salt substitutes have high amounts of potassium, so make sure you don’t take too much potassium, either.
If you want to give your heart health an extra boost, you can also take supplements like L-arginine Plus. Its ingredients promote your circulation, blood pressure, and overall heart health. If you’re ready to give your health the support it needs, then consider adding more potassium to your diet and taking L-arginine Plus.