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 .
Potassium well that’s good to know - British Heart Fou...
Potassium well that’s good to know
Written by
Pollypuss
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
37 Replies
•
Great to hear as I eat them everyday but only 1 a day but along with all my other fruits. 👍
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.
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.
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 toGumbie_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 toAlfredV
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
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• in reply to
Sounds wonderful
SkiMonday• in reply to
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.
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 😹
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.
i would be more concerned about the sugar content.
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
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.
Wow will do thanks😸
Thats a great tip, thank you
Thank you! Tried this today with some bananas that were definitely passed their best. My God! Absolutely brilliant! Banana Ice Cream.
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. 😀
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 😺
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!). 😀
I can eat 6-8 a day and was still told too eat more because potassium is low.
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 😺
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.
Can I ask needlewoman what electrolyte supplement she takes?
• in reply toRobfromwales
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
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
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.
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 😸
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!!
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 .
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 🍌😭
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
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.
I find electroytes more powerful in calming AF than my PiP (Sotalol).
Maybe make one of the bananas a green one they are very good for gut health.
Not what you're looking for?
You may also like...
Is there a home testing kit for potassium levels ?
When I was diagnosed with A F the cardiologist told me to eat foods high in potassium . I followed...
Potassium and spironolactone
Just some more information. Which may be of interest. This is all about lovely blood pressure....
What questions to ask about potassium levels
Hi, this is all very new to me! I was diagnosed with HF 3 weeks ago and since then things have...
Have a Banana, Not Anymore
Good evening,
Eat fruit they say, so I have a Banana most days as part of my breakfast.
Bloods...
High Potassium levels and Palpitations.
I posted last week about having my Entresto and Bisoprolol stopped because of high potassium levels...
Entresto/Eplerenone and high potassium
Potassium levels
Bendroflomazide potassium breathing and heart rate 
