Potassium Rich Foods for Diabetics

Potassium is responsible for the efficiency of many vital functions of the human body. One of its primary functions is to maintain the acidity, basicity and pH balance of our body. It is an essential mineral that regulates the functioning of the heart, digestive system and blood pressure. Also, it is important for efficient functioning of the brain and other neuron functioning. Many a time, due to deficiency of potassium in the body, a number of health problems are experienced. Also, when one suffers from a severe disease, the patient is likely to develop a deficiency of potassium which is called hypokalemia.

Deficiency of potassium leads to weakness, fatigue and lack of muscle coordination. There are many foods that will help to maintain the required levels of the mineral in your body. The most common sources of potassium are fruits and vegetables.

Foods High in Potassium

Fruits and vegetables are the major sources of potassium. Low levels of the mineral lead to many disorders or diseases. Also, it is one of the most common supplements that is prescribed for diabetic patients. It plays an important role in treatment of diabetes. Diabetic patients who consume ample amounts of potassium, have a normal sugar level. In fact, insulin is effectively utilized in the body, if proper potassium levels are maintained. Healing and revitalizing the cells of pancreas is done by potassium. We will discuss some foods that are a rich source of this mineral. Basically, raw foods are more advantageous than supplements. Also, raw foods help to increase the insulin production in the body. Let us discuss the list of some high potassium foods.

List of Potassium Rich Foods

Here is a list of foods for diabetics that are rich in potassium, which will help maintain good health with normal sugar levels. Here is a table that specifies the calories along with the potassium content of some foods rich in the mineral. This will help diabetic patients to decide the amount of foods to be consumed.

Rich Sources of Potassium	Serving Size	Potassium Content	Calories
Bananas	1 cup	594 mg	134
Cooked beetroot	1 cup	519 mg	90
Cooked Brussels sprouts	1 cup	504 mg	65
Lima beans	1 cup	955 mg	209
Baked potato	1 potato	1081 mg	278
Prune juice	1 cup	707 mg	180
Dried prunes	8 prunes	828 mg	161
Raisins	1 cup	1089 mg	493
Tomato products	1 cup	909 mg	25
Plain yogurt	8 ounces	579 mg	154
Cooked spinach	1 cup	839 mg	42
Winter squash	1 cup	896mg	63
Orange juice	1 cup	496mg	100

Some of the other potassium rich foods are listed below. Let us take a look at them.

• Oranges
• Cantaloupe
• Tomatoes
• Apricots
• Dates
• Strawberries
• Watermelon
• Peas
• Mushrooms
• Grapefruit
• Poultry
• Fish
• Avocados
• Figs
• Kiwi fruit
• Milk
• Peanuts
• Carrot juice
• Brazil nuts
• Molasses
• Almonds
• Honeydew melons
• Cauliflower
• Pears
• Nectarines
• Broccoli
• Plums
• Apple cider vinegar

Although potassium plays a vital role in many body functions, sometimes excess of the mineral gets stored in the body due to kidney problems and some diabetic medicines. These medications restrict the kidney's function to excrete the excess potassium, leading to other problems. High potassium levels in blood cause low blood pressure, poor immune system, anxiety, insomnia and irritability.