You may be surprised to find out that potassium is essential for your health and that most people are not consuming enough!
Potassium seems to be one of the under-appreciated minerals, yet it is needed for your body to function properly. From fluid balance regulation to its effects on proper nerve function, potassium has a range of functions and definitely deserves some limelight.
Potassium for Performance
It is clear that we need potassium, but what are the health benefits?
Vascular
The contraction and relaxation cycle of your heart relies on potassium. Just think that with every heartbeat, potassium has played a major role. Not only that but potassium helps ease tension in the walls of your blood vessels which is vital for a healthy function heart. This will help reduce blood pressure and lower your risk of a stroke.
Sleep
If you are one of those people who struggles with sleep, then we have some good news for you! Potassium is the king of minerals when it comes to helping you stay asleep. Potassium helps the nerve and muscles communicate. This means that it can help your body to relax and the nerves can signal to your body that you are in a resting phase. A banana a night keeps monsters out of sight. Studies have shown that consuming a potassium supplement before you sleep has a calming effect on your body so that you can have a good night’s rest.
Weight Management
More and more research is being done on how potassium can aid in weight loss. Potassium can help give you the energy to do a physical activity such as training. Not only that but with the right amount of potassium, you will boost your iron levels which will boost your metabolism. Potassium also prevents excess fluid retention as it helps regulate fluids around your cells.
Digestion
Since potassium is one of the minerals responsible for nerve signalling, it helps to send signals from your brain to your digestive system muscles. These signals stimulate contractions. These contractions are called peristalsis and take place in the small intestine. This helps your digestive system function optimally so the food you consume can be digested. By ensuring you have the right amount of potassium in your body, you can ‘eliminate’ waste a little easier.
Muscle Mass
Maintaining muscle mass is so important. Higher levels of muscle mass has been linked to longevity. The older you get; your muscle tissue decreases. Muscle mass is also important if you do any kind of physical exercise. Potassium encourages muscle mass growth and helps to maintain your muscle tissues. Research has shown that potassium is needed for the synthesis of protein needed for you muscle tissue and metabolic balance.
Mood
Last but not least, potassium has the potential to improve your mood and alleviate anxiety. Surprisingly, anxiety can also be brought on if your body feels uneasy. Since potassium treats fatigue and heart disease and keeps your muscles and bones healthy, naturally it will improve your mood and mental health. Potassium has a calming effect on the body. So, if you are feeling a little down in the dumps, start with looking at your nutrition, specifically if you are getting in enough potassium.
Prevent Potassium Deficiency
Here are a few signs to let you know that you may be deficient in potassium. Make sure to consult your doctor if these symptoms are severe or persist.
Prescribing Potassium
When potassium is mentioned, do you think of bananas? What if you don’t like bananas? Need not worry, there are plenty of sources to get potassium from. Here are a few:
However, unless you are one of those people who eats 5–10 servings of fruits and veggies per day, you may be falling short of the required amount of potassium. To reap the full benefits of potassium, it is usually recommended to take potassium in the form of a supplement or electrolyte drink, such as ReVitalise Sugar-Free Electrolytes.
To Sum Up
Potassium is essential for various bodily functions including nerve signalling and muscle contractions. Potassium deficiency can lead to some serious health issues and increases the risk of digestive issues, muscle spasms, high blood pressure, mood disturbances and weight gain.
Unlike the mineral sodium, the body has no mechanism for storing potassium, which means that the body cannot regulate or prevent depletion if you lose fluids, for example through sweat.
Be practical when it comes to potassium. If you struggle to meet the required amount of potassium in your diet, consider incorporating electrolyte drinks such as ReVitalise Sugar-Free Electrolytes. into your diet. It contains the right amount of minerals that your body needs. Be kind to your incredible body and give it what it needs.
