How to get more heart-healthy potassium
Most people in the U.S. don’t get enough potassium in their diets—which increases their risk for high blood pressure, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases. Teresa Fung, adjunct professor of nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, commented in a June 1 Harvard Health Publishing article on potassium and health.
“Potassium is one of those nutrients that’s not really on people’s radar screens. But it should be,” Fung said. She advised eating more whole, minimally processed foods, particularly fruits, vegetables, and legumes.
Tips in the article included:
- Add legumes to salads, soups, and pasta dishes.
- Eat potatoes with their skin on (French fries don’t count).
- Consume fruit in all its forms but limit juice, which can contain added sugar.
- Eat more dark leafy greens.
Read the Harvard Health Publishing article: The best foods high in potassium — and why you need them
