Your heart thumps in your chest billions of times in your life, and potassium is responsible for each strong beat. Potassium is a mineral essential for muscle contraction -- such as that of your heart and digestive tract -- and the proper functioning of every cell in your body. Sodium levels are kept in check by potassium, making the mineral especially important in the salt-guzzling West. Most people get adequate potassium from a healthy diet including foods like bananas.
Packed With Potassium
The amount of potassium in a banana depends on the size of the fruit. A small banana weighing roughly 100 grams has 362 milligrams of potassium. An extra-large fruit weighing around 152 grams can have up to 544 milligrams of the mineral. Adults need 4,700 milligrams of dietary potassium per day, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Including a banana in one of your meals can help you reach that goal.