Potassium and heart health is important as potassium is a vital
element in our bodies. Our heart requires it to beat properly
and it also regulates our blood pressure. Potassium is needed
for muscle strength and function, if we don’t have the proper
levels we can have cramping, weakness and be tired all the
time.
Fainting can be an issue when the potassium levels get to low
in our systems. Low potassium can also cause heart
palpitations and irregular heart beating. It can bring about
feeling depressed, being confused and sometimes even
hallucinations. Being really thirsty is another possible
symptom that we can have when our potassium is
getting really low.
What are some foods to help us with our potassium
and heart health? Bananas are made of approximately
11% potassium, 20% Vitamin B6, 15% of our Vitamin C,
16% of our dietary fiber we need on a daily basis. They
are also soothing to our stomachs.
Bananas contain that important soluble fiber that
helps to lower blood cholesterol, reduce strokes,
and other cardiovascular heart disease.
Did You know that bananas are sodium free and
that also makes them good for the heart health?
Eating 2 bananas a day will keep our potassium level up.
Bananas help with our stress levels and we can sleep
better when eat bananas every day.
Did you know that bananas are great for those with
diabetes as they help maintain the blood sugar levels
also? Snack on bananas in moderation!
Some other potassium rich foods are grilled salmon,
1 cup of steamed broccoli, 1/2 cup steamed spinach,
1 cup raw cauliflower, 1/2 of an avocado and if you
are a meat eater, 4 oz. beef such a the sirloin for less
fat or about a cup of chopped white meat of chicken.
Most nuts are healthy if left in their natural state,
which means unsalted. The number one nut is the
pistachio nut as its got the most potassium and offers
3o different vitamin, minerals and phytonutrients.
Pistachios are great then to eat to help lower our bad
cholesterol levels and raise the good cholesterol levels.
This video offers tips about potassium and heart
health for all of us:
Pistachios – The Low Fat Low Calorie Nut
www.nutritionalchoice.net Holistic Nutrition Consultant, Karen Roth,
MS, NC talks about the health benefits of pistachios. Pistachios have
been called the Skinny Nut,” because they are one of the lowest
calorie, AND lowest fat nuts; Full of fiber and protein, pistachio
help you feel fuller longer. A serving size is ½ cup with shells on,
or ¼ cup if shelled. One serving of pistachios has 3 grams of fiber.
That’s more than most other snack nuts and more than many
types of whole fruit. Pistachios have more potassium than any
other nut. Did you know a serving of pistachios has more
potassium than half of a large banana? Per serving,
pistachios have more antioxidants than green tea.
Pistachios are a “hearty” snack offering more
cholesterol fighting phytosterols than any other
nut. The green color in pistachios comes from
a compound called lutein which helps
prevent the most common form of blindness
in older adults. Pistachios offer more than 30
different vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients.
Pistachio nuts have also been shown to improve
cardiovascular health. According to a study
published in the American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition, pistachios may lower LDL (bad)
cholesterol levels and increase HDL (good)
cholesterol levels. Pistachios go really good
in salads and you can toss them in your
yogurt or oatmeal.
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