Potassium well that’s good to know - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

49,263 members31,179 posts

Potassium well that’s good to know

Pollypuss profile image
37 Replies

I love bananas and admit to eating 3 a day: breakfast ,lunch and dinner. I had wondered if this was excessive. However I have just read in the British Heart magazine that Potassium helps to lower blood pressure and that bananas are a good source of potassium. I eat very little salt and am not diabetic and watch my diet otherwise very carefully although I do have the odd piece of cake or ice cream. I have asked two doctors about my consumption . One said 3 was too much while the other said that was nonsense . I know too much potassium isn’t good in other foods .

Written by
Pollypuss profile image
Pollypuss
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
37 Replies
22alfie profile image
22alfie

Great to hear as I eat them everyday but only 1 a day but along with all my other fruits. 👍

AlfredV profile image
AlfredV

A ripe medium banana contains about 27 grams of carbohydrates, of which maybe 2 grams are fibre, the rest being sugar. Three bananas would equate to about 75 grams of sugar (about 15 teaspoons).

There are other good sources of potassium such as nuts, legumes and leafy greens that also carry other health benefits without the sugar rush. Sure, a bit of broccoli isn't as exciting as a banana, but that's primarily because it's not loaded with sugar and the addictive qualities that come with it.

We often think of bananas as healthy and natural, and while it is true that they are an unprocessed whole food, they are a result of a lot of human intervention and bear little resemblance to the bananas that our ancestors used to eat.

AlfredV profile image
AlfredV in reply to AlfredV

Just as an addendum, the sugar content of bananas can vary a lot, depending upon the size and how ripe they are. A green banana has much higher fibre content and less sugar, and consequently doesn't taste as nice. As a general rule of thumb, the sweeter something tastes, the more sugar it contains.

Pollypuss profile image
Pollypuss in reply to AlfredV

Mm. I think added sugar is far worse for you . If I don’t eat bananas for a couple of days I don’t get that “hypo” feeling I would get with food that contains added sugar . That’s why people feel pretty awful when they start a diet

Gumbie_Cat profile image
Gumbie_Cat in reply to AlfredV

That’s good to know that nuts and leafy greens have potassium. I’m on the opposite end of the scale as a banana hater, even the smell of them - and tend to worry about not getting that potassium.

in reply to Gumbie_Cat

I totally agree with you and find Bananas the spawn of the devil, my potassium levels are from pulses and green veg

in reply to AlfredV

Wow that's a lot of sugar I can eat between 1 n 3 a day usually 2 but I'll keep in mind the sugar content I thought sultanas n raisins contained a lot of sugar then I eat too many of those at times must watch it now I'm trying to cut down sugar n caffeine

needlewoman22 profile image
needlewoman22

We need precise amounts of several minerals for the heart to stay in sinus rhythm. Whilst we do not have to worry about the exact amounts as our bodies do that job well, we do have to make sure we are ingesting sufficient for effective operation of the powerhouse-the heart!I suffered a bout of AF in 2017, being hospitalised with a heart rate of 155+ and high BP. This reverted on it's own after a shot of potassium into my tum. Since then I have had the odd ectopic beat, but I read a lot about the operation of the heart and realised that if I don't ensure I have sufficient electrolytes-the minerals that control the beat, that's when I experience the blip!

So I take an electrolyte supplement each day, and haven't had a recurrence! I know we should all be eating a good balanced diet, but dietary likes and dislikes, busy lifestyle and other obstacles usually get in the way. So to be sure, I supplement. Electrolytes are what athletes take after exercise, to maintain the correct balance in the bloodstream, so even though I am not an athlete, I take the supplement to be sure! Worth a try and can't do harm! The heart docs treat the symptoms, not the cause, that's the problem! We are what we eat!!

Pollypuss profile image
Pollypuss in reply to needlewoman22

Sounds wonderful

SkiMonday profile image
SkiMonday in reply to needlewoman22

If I don’t have enough water and electrolytes, I suffer from calf muscle cramps. I therefore take an electrolyte drink with me when I’m running any distance. It’s basically salty water because the body loses more salt than any other mineral through sweat. It also contains some sugar but that’s not a problem because it will go straight to my muscles (I only drink it during or just after a run).

Obviously the heart, being another muscle, needs electrolytes too.

Pollypuss profile image
Pollypuss in reply to SkiMonday

Oh gosh I don’t want to start a problem when I admitted to my banana intake . I discussed taking glucose and salt as I did when I was living in the tropics - with the doctor I now play tennis with. . She wasn’t keen on the idea . Does your doctor know you are taking electrolytes . Strange thing is after my bypass I have no strange aches and pains nearly so much 😹

SkiMonday profile image
SkiMonday in reply to Pollypuss

No worries!

The most accurate quote that I’ve heard about nutrition is: “it’s complicated”! I think your original post demonstrates that!

Regarding salt, I think that most would agree that “not too much and not too little” is the right approach (although that’s not particularly helpful!) Certainly, reducing salt intake can help with high blood pressure. For those of us with normal blood pressure, there seems to be some debate about salt intake. In my case, I’m woken up by muscle cramps if I don’t have enough salt. Just as salt is needed when living in the tropics, it seems that it’s needed to replace what’s lost when running (typically, I only use it when running for more than an hour or when it’s really hot).

Good to hear that your aches and pains have eased off.

statinsinthebin profile image
statinsinthebin

i would be more concerned about the sugar content.

thetidders profile image
thetidders

About 4 weeks After I had a triple heart bypass, 4=years ago, I suffered a serious electrolyte imbalance mainly due to very low potassium & magnesium, I ended up in ICU for 2 weeks & at one point my family were told to expect the worst. I was eventually discharged but I was kept on potassium & magnesium supplements for a while afterwards. I hadn’t realised until then how important the electrolyte balance was so I do try to eat food that I know has potassium in, including bananas at times & nuts & green vegetables. Jean

Classicfan49 profile image
Classicfan49

I recommend the frozen banana. OMG! Delish. Just take the peel off and put it on a plate in the freezer. Not sure how long it takes to freeze but if frozen solid it will soften enough to eat in a minute or so. Lovely in hot weather, like a really good banana ice cream but without the added sugar and fat. Freezing seems to intensify the flavour.

No, they don’t go black.

Can also freeze sliced banana and eat while watching tv like sweets.

Pollypuss profile image
Pollypuss in reply to Classicfan49

Wow will do thanks😸

Lezzers profile image
Lezzers in reply to Classicfan49

Thats a great tip, thank you

1959DarkBurst profile image
1959DarkBurst in reply to Classicfan49

Thank you! Tried this today with some bananas that were definitely passed their best. My God! Absolutely brilliant! Banana Ice Cream.

MountainGoat52 profile image
MountainGoat52

The debate about how to obtain potassium in your diet is interesting. We all seem to have our preferenes. I usually obtain mine by adding raisins or sultanas to my breakfast cereal in addition to other sources such a greens, as I've found it beneficial to my health to maintain a fairly high potassium level. If I have a banana I will have it instead of raisins / sultanas and always restrict myself to one on account of the sugar content.

I once binged on dried apricots which did affect my pulse rate and I felt light headed. I think we have to be careful of such things which seem to be more relevant after a heart event. I guess the maxim, 'moderation in all things' applies. 😀

Pollypuss profile image
Pollypuss in reply to MountainGoat52

Absolutely . I like to eat food as it comes. Remember seeing Jamie Oliver on tv in Italy cooking a newly caught fish on the beach with his Italian host . Jamie suggested a sauce to go with it but the Italian said no what do you need a sauce for it tastes wonderful as it is 😺

MountainGoat52 profile image
MountainGoat52 in reply to Pollypuss

Oh don't get me started.... fish! I absolutely adore Sea Bass and Sea Bream. I had Barracuda on a recent holiday trip which was interesting. Thankfully it wasn't masked in a "chef's choice" sauce, so I could appreciate it for what it was. I even love coarse fish such as Pike and had Perch for the first time on the same holiday. Birds Eye.... eat your heart out (no pun intended!). 😀

BARTLETT1965 profile image
BARTLETT1965

I can eat 6-8 a day and was still told too eat more because potassium is low.

Pollypuss profile image
Pollypuss in reply to BARTLETT1965

Well you really beat me. I once went to a zoo in Edinburgh and saw the daily diet for their inmates. It was so healthy . No junk food but yes bananas if I remember. I’ve eaten them because they don’t give me digestive problems after my op 😺

BARTLETT1965 profile image
BARTLETT1965 in reply to Pollypuss

I was just told to eat more every time I went to see GP. Still couldn’t get my potassium up. Don’t mind bananas but it got to case it was bananas with ice cream, on toast , sandwiches on their own. From waking up to going to bed.

But cut down because it couldn’t raise my leaves.

Hope it all goes well with u.

Robfromwales profile image
Robfromwales

Can I ask needlewoman what electrolyte supplement she takes?

needlewoman22 profile image
needlewoman22 in reply to Robfromwales

This is the one I take. Two tablets provides 40% potassium, 80% chloride, 25% calcium, 27% Magnesium and 200mg sodium-salt- (no daily rec % as we usually all have too much).Dried apricots, lentils, baked potato flesh, kidney beans for example all have more potassium than bananas serving for serving!

label
MydogBrandy profile image
MydogBrandy

Hi I was eating one a day and was told to cut down by my doctor because my potassium levels went up x good luck

Lezzers profile image
Lezzers

Do you get your potassium level checked on a regular basis?

My husband often has high and on occasions dangerously high potassium levels. High levels are as dangerous as low levels & bananas are not the only high potassium food, tomatoes are another along with leafy green vegetables and pretty much most of the heart healthy foods! Even the way you cook potatoes can change the potassium level in them!!

For some people eating 3 bananas a day probably wouldn't be an issue if their potassium levels on ok but for someone like my husband that could potentially be quite dangerous & he has to avoid them completely.

Pollypuss profile image
Pollypuss in reply to Lezzers

Well I have been having regular yearly check ups before my bypass and after and no mention of my potassium level so I’m assuming all is ok 😸

Lezzers profile image
Lezzers in reply to Pollypuss

I would think your level must be ok otherwise you would have been told. Maybe ask the first Dr why he thought 3 bananas were too much? I suppose it could be a case that maybe your potassium level is within range but at the higher end and therefore too much potassium in your diet could tip it over the edge? We always get copies of all test results purely because the GP once phoned to say my husband's potassium level had been slowly creeping up but hadn't been noticed and he had to have an emergency visit to a cardiologist to be checked out!!

Pollypuss profile image
Pollypuss in reply to Lezzers

Well in this case it was a doctor I met on holiday and she said 3 bananas sounded too much the other my friend said that was nonsense. So I give up .

Lezzers profile image
Lezzers in reply to Pollypuss

Then I think I'd take the view that if you've been doing it for years & it's not been a problem before now then I'd carry on, enjoying them! This year, for the first time since 2008, my husband's nurse said he could eat a banana as his potassium was medium range but he wasn't to eat too many. He thoroughly enjoyed it 😋sadly the next test showed his potassium had gone high again, so no more bananas 🍌😭

Prada47 profile image
Prada47

I believe I am correct in saying when you are having open heart surgery, the surgeon stops your heart by an injection of potassium !!!

I have also read it is the main ingredient used in the injection for people on death row in the US. I do stand to be corrected but !!!

When I had Low Potassium the Cardiac Pharmacy in Hospital gave me the foulest tasting drink to bring it back up again. My wife said can I bring him some Bananas the reply was it would take more bananas than you could carry to raise the level !!!

Regards

Pollypuss profile image
Pollypuss in reply to Prada47

Gosh really I didn’t know they actually stopped my heart is that so ?

Gladstone001 profile image
Gladstone001

Hi,HIGH5 ZERO Electrolyte Rehydration Tablets are what I use. I dissolve one per day in water during periods of high temperatures. I find that these plus extra magnesium glycinate caps (500mg) can help prevent imminent AF or calm Af in its first take-up.

Gladstone001 profile image
Gladstone001 in reply to Gladstone001

I find electroytes more powerful in calming AF than my PiP (Sotalol).

Villagelife profile image
Villagelife

Maybe make one of the bananas a green one they are very good for gut health.

You may also like...

Well that’s the 7th Angiogram complete

Potassium in the diet

I know that too much salt in the diet is not good for you, so for many many years I've been using...

Potassium and spironolactone

check the potassium level as spironolactone which is a diuretics. Lets your body hold onto...

High Potassium Levels

had a blood test which I was found to have to much potassium. I am having a repeat blood test...

Entresto/Eplerenone and high potassium

the result of my annual bloods on Monday and my potassium level has come back as 5.5. That’s high...