When we talk of vitamins and minerals for good health, iron and calcium are the ones that come to our mind. No doubt, they are important for the body. But there is another mineral that does not get the required attention it deserves. We are talking about potassium.
We all know that lack of calcium will give us weak bones and teeth. Iron deficiency will lead to anemia and eventually other diseases. Hence, we must try to include foods that give us these minerals. But we also need to include foods that are rich in potassium in our daily diet.
Why potassium?
What it is that makes potassium so important and why do we need to consume potassium-rich foods? There are a number of reasons for it. We will also tell you about some of the foods that are rich in potassium.
NUTRIENTS YOU NEED TO CONSUME EVERYDAY
Take a note of the following reasons for which our body requires a good dose of potassium.
Stroke check: Adequate intake of potassium helps the brain to function normally. A good amount of potassium ensures increased oxygen supply to the brain and improvement in cognitive functions.
Blood sugar control: Potassium-rich foods are required to keep blood sugar under control. A decrease in the level of potassium may cause the blood sugar to drop also.
Blood pressure check: This is probably one of the most important functions of potassium. It is also said to be useful in reversing the effects sodium has on unbalancing normal blood pressure.
Heart health: With blood pressure under control, the heart is also ensured a healthy life. Its role is irreplaceable when it comes to the benefits related to the smooth functioning of the heart.
Bone health: To have good bones, calcium alone is not enough. You need a good dose of potassium too. It plays an important role in neutralising various acids in the body. It further helps in preserving and retaining calcium.
Potassium-rich foods
Now, let us take a look at some of the healthy potassium foods.
In the raw form, it is juicy, tasty and healthy. In the cooked form, its benefits increase all the more. Lick it up as a ketchup or have more of spaghetti, pasta or pizza sauce.
Bake, boil, grill or mash - no matter in what form you have this root, the benefits are always going to roll in.
Bananas are often called the brain food and this is not without reason. Being a rich source of potassium, they ought to be a part of your daily diet.
Green vegetables are what we are always told to have in abundance. Of the many other benefits, they also happen to be one of the foods that are rich in potassium. This also includes the leaves of the red beetroot and white radishes.
Be it in any form, beans are healthy potassium-rich foods. The white ones, like the Lima, top the list but you can include them in all forms; even vegetables like French beans.
This milk product is often known for its quality to be good for the gut but it also happens to be a potassium-rich food.
Carrots, papaya, pumpkin, oranges are just some of the names of orange coloured foods gifted to us by nature. Make the most of them to get a good dose of potassium.
If you a meat eater, then nothing could be better than fish for potassium intake. Fishes such as halibut and tuna are rich sources of potassium.
Though always praised for its calcium content, milk is also a good source of potassium. So if you are having your two-glasses-a-day dose, then you are doing pretty good for yourself.