Get to Know Some Fun Facts about Potassium

There are many fun facts about potassium that you may not have heard of before. In fact, it could be argued that this mineral is one of the most important minerals in food because all living things need it and cannot produce it themselves. We're going to explore some of the facts about potassium for kids, benefits for adults, and how potassium balances pH levels.

1) All living things need potassium

This is one of the reasons potassium is so important. It's involved in a wide variety of functions, including building proteins for growth and repair, glycogen storage and energy transport, maintaining cell membrane potentials and electrical gradient differences across membranes, activating certain enzymes, regulating the water balance in cells and tissues, controlling the acid-base balance in the blood, synthesizing DNA and RNA.

2) More than 90% of Americans don't get enough potassium

In fact, adults need 4500 mg of potassium a day but only get 30% of that. So what happened? Just look at what most adults eat - loaded with processed foods that are full of sodium (salt).This a fun facts about potassium. These foods are high in sodium which can lead to a loss of potassium. The best way to get enough potassium is to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and (ideally) lots of unprocessed and minimally processed foods.

3) How much potassium do we need?

A 125 lb person needs about 3500 mg of potassium with 50% coming from the diet, 45% from supplements, and 10% from medications. The healthiest diet for building muscle is about 60% of your calories coming from protein with 20-30% coming from carbs (fruits, vegetables, whole grains), and 15-20% coming from healthy fats.

4) Why do we need potassium?

Potassium balances pH levels in the body and blocks the acid-base reactions that cause high blood pressure and heart disease. Low levels of this mineral can lead to a reduction in blood flow to the brain which can cause stroke or slow down brain cell activity. When potassium is deficient it causes muscle spasms, irritability, restlessness, weakness or problems with movement. For example, if you eat a lot of sodium chloride (salt) you will lose some of your body's potassium.

5) What foods contain potassium?

Most people don't get enough potassium because they are eating too many processed foods that are high in sodium (salt). A potassium rich diet should be rich in fruits and vegetables.

6) How much potassium do we need a day?

The average adult needs around 4500 mg of potassium a day. However, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding need about 7000 mg per day. It's easy to get most of your potassium from natural sources no matter what your age. The best sources of potassium include bananas, potatoes, tomatoes, dates, oats, avocados and sweet potatoes.

7) What is the best food for exercise?

If you're someone who wants to build muscle then you'll want to make sure you get a lot of potassium in your daily diet. To build muscle you need to eat lots of protein and good carbs. The best food to get good carbs is fruit. The best natural source of protein is meat. You'll want to mix the two to build muscle although you can also get a lot of potassium from whole eggs (in moderation) and chicken breast too (but only if it's not fried).

8) What are the benefits of potassium?

The best benefits of potassium can be found in the brain, where it maintains electrical signals and boosts energy levels. Potassium is essential for proper cell function, especially for memory, cognition and muscle control. The nervous system uses a lot of energy so it's important doing things like reading or playing video games with proper cognitive function.

9) What are the benefits of potassium for athletes?

When it comes to building muscle and boosting energy levels, potassium is an essential mineral. It helps regulate muscle function by balancing out the acidity or alkalinity in the body (or pH). If you're active and hard working, you'll want to make sure you don't lose too much of this mineral through sweat and then restock with a healthy diet.

10) What are some facts about potassium deficiency?

There can be many symptoms of potassium deficiency including muscle cramps, irritability, heart palpitations and fatigue if you're a working athlete. This mineral is especially important during high intensity workouts.

The above are just a few fun facts about potassium for kids you may not have heard or thought about before. Even with the most balanced diet, all adults can benefit from supplementing with a high quality brand of potassium.