High Potassium Drinks To Avoid

We have always been told right from our childhood about the importance of drinking plenty of fluids and how well hydrated is essential to maintain good health generally. However, since excess of anything is known to be bad for us, there are certain drinks having high potassium content which are to be avoided due to certain conditions. This article will help you understand why our body needs potassium, signs, and symptoms of excess potassium along with a list of high potassium drinks to avoid.

Functions of Potassium

Potassium is an essential nutrient required to maintain the total fluid volume, electrolytes and acid-base balance within the body. Some important functions of potassium are listed below

• Maintains Intra-Cellular Osmotic Pressure – Enabling efficient absorption and exchange of other nutrients and gases between blood and tissues and also within the blood itself
• Maintains Intra-Cellular Reactions – Potassium is important for a buffer within cells.
• Helps in the transport of carbon dioxide
• Potassium inhibits cardiac contractions and prolongs relaxations
• It inhibits muscular contractions in general
• An important role in the respiratory system by hastening ciliary movement – Helps to trap and eliminate micro-organisms, foreign objects and particulate matter from the respiratory tract.
• Potassium has an important role in nervous system functions such as:
• Related to the adequate formation and proper action of acetylcholine at nerve synapse (in between two neurons)
• Role in excitability of nerve cells
• Role in conduction of impulses

Normal Reference Range For Serum Potassium: 3.5 – 5.0 mEq/L

Daily Recommended Intake For Potassium: 3500-4700 milligrams for adults

A condition of serum potassium level lower than the normal reference range is called hypokalemia. On the contrary, a condition of serum potassium level greater than the normal range is called hyperkalemia.

Causes For Hyperkalemia

High potassium levels in the blood can be found as a result of the following conditions:

• Excess Production Of Potassium – Due to excess intake of potassium-rich food or drinks or due to excessive breakdown of tissues
• Impaired Excretion Of Potassium – This is mostly due to acute, chronic or hereditary renal disorders
• Medications Inducing Hyperkalemia - For example, spironolactone, NSAIDs, anti-hypertensive drugs including ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, and beta blockers, digoxin, heparin, mannitol, cyclosporines.
• Increased Tissue Breakdown – As in rhabdomyolysis, injuries and severe burns – increased tissue breakdown releases potassium which is stored within the intracellular space
• Other Causes - Include insulin deficiency, poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, Addison’s disease, consumption of salt substitutes or potassium supplements and herbal supplements

Signs And Symptoms Of Hyperkalemia

Since most of the potassium in the body is stored within the cells of muscular tissues, excess of potassium will show relevant signs and symptoms such as:

• Nausea
• Tingling and numbness
• Muscular weakness
• Muscular pain
• Palpitations
• Shortness of breath
• Cardiac Arrhythmia – Can be visualized on an electrocardiogram

Signs and symptoms of high serum potassium do not appear immediately. They develop gradually over a period of a few weeks to even months. Therefore it is relatively difficult to know if you have high potassium levels unless diagnosed previously.

High Potassium Drinks To Avoid

It is important to get adequate potassium along with other nutrients from the diet. It is equally important to avoid an excess of these as they can have deleterious effects on the body. Some of the high potassium drinks to avoid include

1. Fruit Juices

Fruits are known to have high potassium content especially bananas, oranges, mangoes, pomegranates, litchis, etc. One cup of fresh orange juice provides 430-490 milligrams of potassium. Similarly, bananas are known for being rich in potassium and need to be limited if you are suffering from hyperkalemia.

2. Coconut Water

This is a popular and natural drink know for its health benefits since it is rich in electrolytes, potassium is one of those. Coconut water is an excellent drink for rehydrating. Yet, it should be avoided if you have high serum potassium levels or if you have chronic kidney disorders.

3. Vegetable Juices

vegetables such as tomatoes, carrots, and spinach have high potassium content. Juices are often prepared from such vegetables. One cup of freshly prepared carrot juice provides about 650-680 milligrams of potassium. Similarly, a cup of tomato juice provides about 500 milligrams of potassium.

4. Dairy Products

This includes drinks such as buttermilk and full-fat milk taken along with flavoring agents such as chocolate are rich in potassium. One cup of full-fat chocolate milk provides 400-450 milligrams of potassium.

5. Canned Juices

Canned juices need to be avoided if you are looking to avoid high potassium drinks because they contain salt as an added preservative to improve their shelf life.

Reasons To Avoid High Potassium Drinks

Since metabolism and elimination of excess potassium depend largely upon the normal functioning of kidneys, sweat glands, and the gastrointestinal tract, high potassium drinks should be avoided due to the following reasons

• Under normal circumstances, the kidneys can excrete about 2-3 grams of potassium through urine. The amount excreted can, however, vary according to the intake.
• Under conditions of excess dietary intake of potassium-rich food in patients suffering from kidney disorders, the kidneys are unable to regulate serum potassium levels.
• As a result, potassium is not properly eliminated from the blood, fluid and waste products tend to buildup in the body resulting in subsequent sign and symptoms.
• Excess potassium in the blood can alter acid-base balance causing a reduction in pH of the blood. This leads to a condition called Acidosis.
• Two major side effects of excess potassium include shortness of breath and cardiac arrhythmias. Threes two conditions are severe enough to bring a person under a life-threatening situation resulting in sudden cardiac arrest or even death.
• Avoiding or limiting the intake of high potassium drinks under conditions which may cause hyperkalemia reduces the accumulation of waste products and fluid in the body, giving your kidneys enough time excrete these through urine and further prevents damage and development of signs and symptoms.
• Since the signs and symptoms of hyperkalemia develop slowly, it is important to take note of those symptoms and consult a doctor immediately. Abstinence from such drinks and foods lowers potassium quickly.