Cebu City - Potassium is an essential mineral needed by all tissues in the body. It helps regulate fluid balance, muscle contraction, and nerve signals. It also helps to ease tension in your blood vessel walls, which helps further lower blood pressure.

Hypertension commonly known as high blood pressure in adults is when you have elevated blood pressure or a blood pressure reading of more than 120/80 mmHg.  When it comes to fighting high blood pressure, the average Filipino diet delivers too much sodium and little potassium. Eating to reverse this imbalance could prevent or control high blood pressure and translate into fewer heart attacks, strokes, and deaths from heart disease.

A number of studies have shown an association between low potassium intake and increased blood pressure and subsequent higher risk of heart attack and stroke. On the other side, people who already have high blood pressure can significantly lower their systolic blood pressure by increasing their potassium intake when they choose to eat healthy foods.

The recommended amount of potassium is 4,700 milligrams (mg) a day. Food that is rich in potassium is watermelon, bananas, sweet potatoes, avocados, tomatoes, mushrooms, oranges, peas, spinach, leafy green vegetables, beans, dairy foods, and starchy vegetables like winter squash.

It is very helpful to consume potassium-rich foods inappropriate amounts for the prevention of hypertension for people having normal blood pressure and controlling the normal blood pressure for those diagnosed with hypertension. Coupled with a healthy lifestyle such as healthy eating, increasing physical activity, avoiding smoking, and reducing intake of alcoholic beverages are your passport to a healthier you. // ND II, Sarah Belle I. Antiola, RND