


Most Americans, however, consume too much sodium and not enough potassium. Potassium and sodium are the main electrolytes involved in regulating fluid balance, and keeping them in balance can be crucial for reducing the risk of hypertension, heart disease, and stroke, according to the CDC. You often hear about electrolytes in sports drinks because they aid with fluid balance and we tend to lose them when we sweat, according to MedlinePlus. It is also one of a group of electrically charged minerals - magnesium, calcium, and sodium are others - known as electrolytes. Research shows that potassium reduces blood pressure in people with hypertension and may lower the risk for stroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Potassium is essential for maintaining normal blood pressure and keeping your heart beating regularly,” says Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN, a New York Times bestselling author and nutrition expert in Brooklyn, New York. It also plays a key role in cardiovascular health. But potassium plays a vital role in health: It helps regulate your body’s fluid levels, aids in muscle function, and keeps your nervous system functioning properly, among other functions, according to MedlinePlus. Outside of chemists, athletes, and anyone with high blood pressure, most people don’t give a lot of thought to potassium, a mineral you probably last heard of when learning the periodic table in chemistry class (where its abbreviation is the letter K).
