Are Bananas Really High in Potassium? (Let’s find out)

Bananas are known for their high potassium content. But is that really true? Are bananas the ultimate potassium bomb? Are bananas actually high in potassium?

Are bananas high in potassium?

Bananas contain a lot of potassium as a small banana contains almost 10% of the recommended daily intake of potassium. That’s much more potassium than in an apple, pineapple, orange or grapefruit, but less than in an avocado, pomegranate and even dates.

How much potassium is in bananas?

A small banana contains about 360 mg of potassium. That’s about 10% of your daily requirement, which is why bananas are generally considered a fruit and food rich in potassium. So it seems that bananas are rightly known for their high potassium content.

Read on to find out how healthy (or not) they are for you and how they compare to avocados, potatoes and apples in terms of potassium content.

Nutritional Information: 1 small banana (3.5 oz/101 g)

• 90  calories
• Total fat  0.3 g 0 %
  • Saturated fat  0.1g 0%
• Cholesterol  0 mg 0%
• Natrium 1 mg 0 %
• Potassium 361.6 mg 10 %
• Total carbohydrate 23g 7%
• Fiber 2.6 g 10%
• Sugar 12 g
• Protein 1,1 g 2 %
• Vitamin C 14 %
• Calcium 0%
• Requirements 1%
• Vitamin D 0 %
• Vitamin B6 20%
• Vitamin B12 0 %
• Magnesium 6 %

Which has more potassium – banana or avocado?

Although bananas are celebrated as the fruit with the most potassium, that title should actually go to the avocado, as it is the fruit (yes, fruit!) with the most potassium. 100g of banana contains 358 mg (10%) potassium, while the same amount of avocado contains 485 mg (13%).

Although it doesn’t seem like a big difference, it is actually noticeable, and people who want to limit or increase their potassium intake should take note.

*Percent Daily Values ​​are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs, your daily values ​​may be higher or lower.

Which has more potassium – banana or apple?

Bananas contain three times as much potassium as apples. A 100g serving of banana contains 358 mg (10% DV) of potassium, while the same serving of apples contains 107 mg (3% DV).

Bananas have incredibly more vitamin C than apples, but also more vitamin B6 and magnesium.

*Percent Daily Values ​​are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs, your daily values ​​may be higher or lower.

Which banana or potato has more potassium?

Potatoes are incredibly healthy when prepared correctly. They also contain more potassium than a banana: 421 mg versus 358 mg per 100g serving. They also contain more vitamin C and iron, but have fewer calories and fewer carbohydrates.

*Percent Daily Values ​​are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs, your daily values ​​may be higher or lower.

Can you get too much potassium from bananas?

Since bananas are potassium-rich fruits, it is easy to consume too much potassium from bananas. We already know that even a small banana contains about 10% of the daily value of potassium.

For low-potassium dieters, who tend to consume 2,000 to 3,000 mg of potassium per day, this rises to 12-18%.

Can you eat bananas on a low potassium diet?

People on a low-potassium diet should only eat small amounts of bananas per day as they are rich in potassium and when combined with other foods can lead to too high a potassium intake.

So how much is recommended? Definitely no more than a few small pieces of banana.

frequently asked Questions

Are bananas good for diarrhea?

Bananas were once recommended as part of the BRAT food group for diarrhea, and the fact is that the fiber in bananas adds bulk and firmness to stools. So yes, bananas can be good for diarrhea.

Are bananas radioactive?

According to the EPA, bananas are actually radioactive due to their high potassium content. However, each banana only emits 0.01 millirem of radiation, which is a tiny amount of radiation.
You would have to eat 100 bananas to be exposed to as much radiation as you get every day from natural radiation in the environment in the United States.

Is a banana a myth for potassium?

Although the media portrayal was largely accurate, it was occasionally oversimplified. Specifically, the headline on Express implies that you only need to eat one banana a day to meet your potassium needs, but in reality one banana only provides around 11% of the 3,500 mg of potassium required by the UK Nutritional Standards.

How can I get 4,700 mg of potassium per day?

The recommended daily intake for most healthy people is 4,700 mg, although few Americans actually consume that much. It is better to get it from foods such as potatoes, spinach, bananas and apricots rather than taking supplements.

Should I stop eating bananas if my potassium is too high?

Bananas provide 422 mg of potassium. So if you’re on a low-potassium diet, you should stay away from it. Each serving of fruits such as oranges, apples and melons provides about 5% of your daily potassium needs. One of the most common sources of potassium in our diet is dairy products.

How can I check my potassium levels at home?

Urine test strips are one of the easiest ways to measure your potassium levels at home. These strips allow you to quickly assess your potassium levels and are easily available in pharmacies. Simply dip the strip into a urine sample and then compare the color difference with the table provided.

Are bananas high in fiber?

Bananas are rich in fiber, as just one small banana contains about 10% of the recommended daily fiber intake. That’s more fiber than in the same amount of potatoes, apples, pineapples or oranges, but much less than in avocados, pears or even raspberries.

Bananas contain a lot of potassium, but also vitamin C and B6. For this reason, they are invaluable to anyone looking to increase their potassium intake.

However, if you eat a low-potassium diet, you should be careful because of the high potassium content in bananas.