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Facts about Potassium1

Linda B. Bobroff and R. Elaine Turner 2

Why do we need potassium?

Potassium is a mineral found inside body cells. It is one of several minerals known as electrolytes. These minerals (potassium, sodium, and chloride) are found in the fluids inside of body cells (intracellular) and outside the cells (extracellular).

Potassium is important because it helps:

• regulate fluid and electrolyte balance;

• maintain normal blood pressure;

• transmit nerve impulses;

• control muscle contraction, including the heart; and

• maintain healthy bones.

 

Figure 1. Legumes are excellent sources of potassium. Whether you start with the dried form or use convenient canned beans (low sodium is best), you will get a rich source of potassium.
Figure 1.  Legumes are excellent sources of potassium. Whether you start with the dried form or use convenient canned beans (low sodium is best), you will get a rich source of potassium.
Credit: tofumax/iStock/Thinkstock.com

 

What happens if we do not get enough potassium?

Potassium deficiency is rare. People with kidney problems, excessive diarrhea, or vomiting, and those who regularly use laxatives could have low potassium levels. Symptoms of low potassium in the body include weakness, poor appetite, nausea, and fatigue. Low potassium intake has been linked to hypertension (high blood pressure) and osteoporosis.

How much potassium do we need?

The following table lists daily intake levels of potassium that are expected to be adequate for children and have positive effects on blood pressure and possibly decrease bone loss in adults.

What does potassium have to do with high blood pressure?

Studies show that eating the recommended level of potassium can help maintain normal blood pressure. The best results occur when sodium intake is kept below 2,300 mg/day for adults.

Eating enough potassium can reduce risk for stroke, and may reduce bone loss. A potassium-rich diet can also reduce the risk for kidney stones.

How can we get enough potassium?

Potassium is readily available in our food supply.

Fruits and vegetables are the best dietary sources. Legumes (dried or canned)—such as kidney, pinto, black, or red beans, and lentils—are all good sources of potassium, as are nuts and seeds.

The following table provides potassium values for several foods that are good to excellent sources of this mineral.

What about supplements?

Because potassium is widely available in foods, supplements aren't usually needed. Some people who take diuretic medication for blood pressure control may need to get more potassium, but this is not true for all types of diuretics. Check with your doctor before taking a potassium supplement or using a salt substitute that contains potassium chloride.

How much is too much?

People who take diuretic medications or who have kidney disease should check with their doctor about proper potassium intake. Consuming more than five times the suggested amount of potassium can lead to hyperkalemia—high levels of potassium in the blood. Hyperkalemia can cause a heart attack and death.

Where can I get more information?

Your local UF/IFAS Extension Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) agent may have more written information and nutrition classes for you to attend. Also, a registered dietitian (RD or RDN) can provide reliable information to you.

Reliable nutrition information may be found on the Internet at the following sites:

http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/families_and_consumers/health_and_nutrition/

http://www.nutrition.gov

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002413.htm

http://healthyeating.nhlbi.nih.gov/ (heart-healthy recipes from NIH)

Reference

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2019. Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium. Washington, D. C.: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25353.

Tables

Table 1. 

Recommended daily intakes of potassium (Adequate Intakes) (National Academies of Science, 2019).

Life Stage

Potassium (mg/day)*

Children, ages 1–3 years

2,000

Children, ages 4–8 years

2,300

Children, ages 9–13 years

2,300 (females); 2,500 (males)

Youth, ages 14–18 years

2,300 (females); 3,000 (males)

Adults, ages 19+

2,600 (females); 3,400 (males)

Pregnancy 19+

2,900

Breastfeeding 19+

2,800

*mg = milligrams

Table 2. 

Food sources of potassium.

Food

Potassium (mg/serving)*

Potato, baked with skin, 1 medium

930

Plantain, cooked, mashed, 1 cup

930

Pinto beans, cooked, 1 cup

750

Prunes, dried, 10

700

Orange juice, 1 cup

500

Banana, 1 large

490

Cantaloupe, cubes, 1 cup

430

Spinach, cooked, ½ cup

420

Low-fat (1%) milk, 1 cup

365

Papaya, pieces, 1 cup

265

Apple, with skin, 1 medium

195

Hummus, 1/3 cup

185

Tuna, light (canned, in water), 3 ounces

175

Walnuts, English, halves, ¼ cup

110

*mg = milligrams

Source: USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference (http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods [accessed September 26, 2017])

Footnotes

1. This document is FCS8805, one of a series of the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date November 2006. Revised March 2010, September 2014, September 2017, and July 2020. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.
2. Linda B. Bobroff, professor, Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences; and R. Elaine Turner, PhD, RD, dean, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

Also Available in: Español

Publication #FCS8805

Release Date:February 12, 2021

Related Experts

Turner, R Elaine

Specialist/SSA/RSA

University of Florida

Bobroff, Linda B.

Specialist/SSA/RSA

University of Florida

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