Heart-Healthy: 5 Potassium-Rich Foods
Proper nutrition is one of the most important components of cardiovascular health.
Potassium is one of the most important elements necessary for the health of the heart and blood vessels. Products that contain large amounts of potassium are recommended for those who have the highest predisposition to cardiovascular diseases: the elderly, athletes, dancers, people who have undergone heart surgery.
Which products contain it in the greatest quantities? Let's figure it out.
Dried apricots
Dates and dried apricots. Photo source: 123rf.com
Regular consumption of dried apricots helps strengthen the heart muscle. In addition, dried apricots contain B vitamins and calcium. By the way, the latter prevents potassium from being washed out of the body.
Pistachios
These tasty nuts contain more than a thousand mg of potassium per 100 g. But it is necessary to remember that in order to extract the maximum benefit from this product, it should be consumed unroasted, without salt and other additives. You do not need to eat a lot of pistachios per day, a small handful of about 10 pieces is enough. Of course, if you are not allergic to nuts.
Bananas
Bananas. Photo source: 123rf.com
Perhaps the most famous product containing potassium. Regular consumption of these fruits (in the absence of obesity and diabetes - these diseases are direct contraindications to the inclusion of bananas in the menu) helps to strengthen the heart muscle. Bananas will help to normalize the heartbeat and strengthen the walls of the heart vessels. In addition, they are a natural antidepressant, effectively lift the mood, which in itself improves the condition of the heart.
New potatoes
Baked potato. Photo source: 123rf.com
As a rule, it is eaten with the peel. It is the peel that contains potassium - more than 500 g per 100 g of product. Ideally, potatoes should be eaten without oil, lightly boiled or baked in the oven - this way the beneficial properties of the root vegetable will manifest themselves most clearly.
Greens
We are talking about parsley, dill, all types of leaf lettuce. Each of the above products contains more than 500 mg of potassium per 100 g. This does not mean that you have to eat kilograms of greens in order to improve your health. It is enough to simply add it to salads or decorate ready-made dishes with it (both fresh and dried).