In addition to the fact that potassium is critical for your body and its functions, it is also able to restore blood pressure levels.
Eating foods rich in potassium can even counteract the effects of sodium, which is known for raising potassium levels in the body. Nutritionist Vasilisa Ponamareva spoke specifically for MedicForumhow it works.
“Hypertension is a precursor to serious health problems, from heart attacks to strokes. That's why it's so important to restore your levels from the danger zone Potassium has two mechanisms that come into play when you're trying to lower high blood pressure.”
The reason why salt is so unhealthy is because it causes your body to retain excess water. This extra fluid puts extra pressure on the blood vessels, increasing your reading speed.
This is where potassium comes into play.
“A precise balance of potassium and sodium is needed to remove excess fluid from the body. When you eat more foods rich in this mineral, you can help restore this balance. This allows your kidneys to work well and lowers blood pressure. The second mechanism is aimed at relaxing blood vessels” , added Ponamareva.
In addition, studies have shown a link between potassium intake and higher blood pressure. People who already have high blood pressure can significantly lower their systolic (peak) blood pressure by increasing their potassium intake when they choose healthy foods. To reach your daily requirement for this mineral, you need 3,500 mg of potassium per day.
You can get all the potassium you need from your diet.
Fruits and vegetables are the obvious choice. In addition, they also contain vitamins and fiber, which usually help maintain good health.
Options with a “particularly high content” of the mineral:
- Tomato juice and tomato puree
- Orange juice
- Bananas
- Apricots
- Currants
- Potato
- Sweet Potato
- Asparagus
- Spinach
- Cabbage
Medicforum previously wrote about how to reduce cholesterol plaques.