Like other nutrients, potassium is also very important for the proper functioning of the body. Its deficiency in the body can harm health. Let us know from the experts for which functions of the body potassium is necessary and in which foods it is found.

Many types of vitamins and minerals are very important for the body to function properly and stay healthy. Many people know about vitamin D, B16, protein and iron. But along with this, it is very important to have the right amount of potassium in the body to stay healthy. Potassium is one such mineral. In today's time, everyone's lifestyle is very busy. Energy is needed to handle household and office work. But many people may have a deficiency of vitamins and minerals in the body due to unhealthy food outside or wrong eating habits.

Potassium is necessary for important functions like controlling heartbeat, keeping muscles healthy and maintaining balance of water and minerals in the cells of our body. But very few people know about it. It is very important to keep the amount of potassium balanced in the body. Its deficiency can cause many health related problems. Let us know about it from the experts in this article.

Why is potassium important for our body?

Dr Sumit Kant Jha, Senior General Physician at Chhatrapati Shivaji Subharti Hospital Potassium is an electrolyte, whose main function is to control electrical signals in the body. It is necessary for every cell of the body to function properly. When you do any physical activity such as walking, running, thinking or any kind of physical activity, potassium plays a major role in it. A healthy person needs 3,500 to 4,700 mg of potassium daily.

Potassium is essential for muscle construction, growth and balance. Potassium plays an important role in maintaining muscle function. Without it, muscles can become weak or cramps can occur. Potassium is essential for the heart to function properly. It helps in maintaining a regular heartbeat. Its deficiency in the body can cause heart problems. The third important function of potassium is to control blood pressure. It balances the effect of sodium and is helpful in controlling blood pressure.

Disadvantages of low potassium in the body

If the amount of potassium in the body becomes less or more than normal, it can harm health. Due to very low amount of potassium in the body, many problems can occur such as muscle weakness or cramps, tiredness and lethargy, constipation and gas problems, irregular heartbeat, tingling or numbness, confusion or dizziness. Potassium deficiency is usually caused by excessive vomiting, diarrhea, intake of diuretic medicines or excessive sweating.

Disadvantages of having excess potassium in the body

Excessive amount of potassium in the body can cause slow heartbeat or intermittent heartbeat, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea or weakness, and even cardiac arrest. This condition occurs due to improper functioning of the kidneys, as the kidneys are unable to remove potassium from the body.

Foods rich in potassium

Talking about foods rich in potassium, this mineral is found in many types of foods. Talking about fruits, it is found in banana, orange, kiwi, apricot (also in dry fruits), avocado, mango, while if we talk about vegetables, it is found in spinach, tomato, potato (especially with peel), sweet potato, beetroot, mushroom and other sources include coconut water, pulses (moong, masoor, chana), milk, curd, whole grains, some spices like cinnamon and celery. By including these foods in the daily diet, the required amount of potassium can be fulfilled.

Who should not eat potassium rich foods?

Potassium is very important for the body. But there are some health conditions in which it can also harm health. Kidney related diseases, for those whose kidneys are not functioning properly, it becomes difficult to remove potassium from the body. Due to this, potassium starts accumulating in the body and its excess amount in the body can harm the body. Kidney patients should take potassium only after consulting a doctor.

People taking special medicines for heart disease patients, if potassium rich foods are consumed in large quantities along with these medicines, then the chances of hypercalcemia increases. People with thyroid and hormonal problems, in some hormonal imbalances the body may be unable to control the level of potassium. In such a situation, it is important to include it in the diet as per the doctor's advice.