Everyone knows the importance of eating a healthy, balanced diet but many people do not understand just how important this balance is to their overall health and wellness. While it may not matter too much if you miss a few servings of fruits or vegetables here or there, some acts of dietary negligence can end up costing you your life. Some vitamins and minerals are essential to maintain the proper functioning of your body. For example, there are many serious side effects associated with potassium deficiency. If you do not get enough potassium in your daily diet you may find yourself falling victim to these unpleasant side effects. So, what can you do? Eat plenty of potassium rich foods every day!

Potassium deficiency, called hypokalemia, can be very serious. Symptoms of this deficiency include muscle cramps, fatigue and weakness, confusion or memory loss, irritability, nervousness and diarrhea. There may also be more serious side effects such as low blood pressure, impaired growth, irregular heartbeat, even cardiac arrest. Potassium deficiency is no laughing matter - do yourself a favor and be sure to include many foods rich in potassium in your everyday diet. If you do not, you may begin to experience some of these symptoms and you may even develop a life-threatening condition like hypertension, cardiovascular disease, or you could have a stroke.

Now that you know how important it is to reach your daily recommended dosage of potassium you might be wondering how to do it. It is quite easy because there are many foods rich in potassium and many of them are quite tasty. Many people know that bananas are a good source of potassium, but it is not as well-known that other fruits like oranges, strawberries, watermelon, and cantaloupe are as well. Many vegetables like tomatoes, potatoes, spinach, and other leafy greens also contain high amounts of potassium. You may not even realize that some of the things you eat everyday are potassium rich foods. Things like beef, fish, poultry, nuts, and raisins are all foods rich in potassium that many people eat on a regular basis anyway. Potassium is the third most abundant mineral in the body and, as such, it plays a vital role in the healthy function of your body. Take good care of yourself by making sure to get enough potassium in your diet - it may be easier to do than you ever imagined!