Most Important Mineral for High Blood Pressure

There is one mineral more important to the lowering of blood pressure than any other on earth.

However, researchers estimate that only 2% of Americans are receiving enough of this critical mineral responsible for balancing electrolytes, maintaining healthy electrical signals in the heart, building muscle, and counteracting the effects of high sodium.

This mineral is potassium. Yes, you read that right. Nearly 98% of people are not getting enough potassium in their diets.

According to most experts, 4,700 mg per day is the recommended intake, unless you have another pre-existing condition that requires a lower level.

When most people think of foods that are naturally high in potassium, they think of bananas. That is true; there is about 425 mg of potassium in 1 medium banana.

However, these 5 foods have more potassium than bananas, and boast lower calorie content as well:

Spinach: this is one of those foods that actually improve in nutrient content when cooked. One cup of raw spinach only contains about 170 mg of potassium. However, cooking it sets off chemical reactions that increase the potassium levels. The same 1-cup serving, when cooked, contains almost 850 mg of potassium.

Carrots: Another food that does better when processed are carrots. It’s true that cooking it will diminish its nutritive content to a degree, but juicing it makes it easier to consume and unleashes the powerful nutrients inside. One cup of raw carrot juice has 840 mg of potassium.

Winter squash: Some squash you just have to cook, and winter squash is one of those. However, one cup of cooked winter squash packs 900 mg of potassium. That’s hard to beat.

Avocado: Yes, there are calories in avocado. There is also a higher fat content than in some other foods. However, they are good fats that are packed with antioxidants. One cup of avocado also contains 700 mg of potassium.

White beans: For vegetarians and vegans, or those that do not have access to lean red meats or fresh salmon, getting enough protein is sometimes a challenge. Beans, particularly white beans, fill that void very well. With just half a cup of cooked white beans, you will have 450 mg of potassium.

Supplements with potassium aren’t recommended unless your doctor prescribes it. This is as it is possible to overdose on potassium if you use supplements instead of relying on your diet for potassium sources. So, stick to foods and be safe.

Consuming a lot of potassium is also most likely not enough to get your blood pressure under control (although it takes you in the right direction).

For the easiest and most effective natural way to lower blood pressure, discover how 3 easy exercises can drop your blood pressure below 120/80 – starting today…