Suggest Diet That Contains Good Balance Of Sodium And Potassium

Posted on Sun, 27 Apr 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 27 Apr 2014 Answered on

Tue, 13 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I have a problem with dehydration in the mornings. What natural foods and drinks can you suggest which have a good balance of sodium and potassium ? Tea and coffee are said to be dehydrating and I don't like lemon juice. So those are out and just water isn't enough. The chemists' drink Gastrolyte seems to help but I don't want to rely on that daily.

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (2 hours later)

Brief answer.....given below. Detailed answer.... Hello, Thanks for the query. Potassium, sodium and chloride are three electrolytes that regulate muscle contractions, including heart contractions and regulate the amount of fluids in your blood and cells. Maintaining a proper balance of electrolytes in your body is important to nearly all bodily processes. Eating foods that provide potassium, chloride and sodium can help maintain the right balance of electrolytes in your blood. Most of the foods in their natural state contain some sodium and chloride. We must look for foods which are primarily more rich in potassium as they would contain sodium and chloride also. Potassium rich foods are... Sweet potatoes and potatoes,spinach,beans,mushrooms,peas,tomato and tomato juice,bananas,oranges and orange juice,grapefruit juice,prunes and prune juice,apricots and apricot juice,raisins,dates,fat free yoghurt,coconut water etc. I hope it helps however you may revert to me for any further query, Best of luck Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar