Potassium

Potassium is one of the minerals that are classified within the group of macrominerals, so its consumption is demanded in higher quantities than microminerals. It is classified within the essential minerals for the normal development of the human organism, this is due to the fact that its applications for health are of wide spectrum, radiating in dissimilar functions and processes of the human organism. Encouraging a balanced intake of nutrient-rich foods will allow us to efficiently complement the nutritional needs of our body, thus ensuring the maintenance of adequate patterns for our health.

Taking into account the importance of this topic, we will be dedicating this guide to deepen in the general benefits of potassium for human health. Likewise, we will review some of the most recommended sources of potassium, the amounts recommended for its consumption and the harmful effects of over-consumption.

General benefits of potassium

As we said before, potassium is a mineral with a wide spectrum in terms of the impact it has on our health. Among the various benefits that this mineral brings to our organism, we find its contribution to our nervous system and to the development of our muscular system functions. Potassium works in the processes of muscular contraction, which has a notable impact on the health of our muscles.

Another benefit of potassium is its palliative relationship with sodium. When we overconsume sodium, we experience a series of adverse consequences for our health, including an increase in our blood pressure. Maintaining good potassium levels helps us to reduce this increase in blood pressure and stabilize our blood volume. Potassium plays a major role in cellular metabolism, aiding in the absorption of nutrients and the elimination of wastes in the cells.

How to obtain potassium?

Potassium is a mineral that can be easily acquired through the foods we consume on a regular basis. Fortunately, it is found in a large number of foods such as cabbage, bananas, grapes, spinach, carrots, certain root vegetables, blackberries, grapefruit, various citrus fruits, among others.

The most recommended source for the acquisition of this nutrient is the food source. This is because its quantities are abundant and we do not need supplementation as long as we maintain a balanced and nutritionally rich intake in foods of all kinds.

Adequate potassium intake

Regarding the amounts of potassium that we should consume to satisfy the daily requirements of this nutrient, which our organism demands, we should begin by pointing out a very important characteristic related to the way in which potassium interacts with cer