Potassium in Florida Orange Juice
An 8-ounce (1 cup/ 236ml) glass of orange juice is a good source of potassium.
What is Potassium?
Potassium is an important mineral that your body needs to be healthy. Potassium is an electrolyte needed by every cell in your body. Electrolytes are important because they maintain the proper flow of water into and out of your cells. They’re also important for transmitting nerve impulses.
Why is Potassium Good for You?
A normal blood pressure and heart beat depend on potassium. Your muscles and kidneys need potassium to work properly too. A healthy diet containing foods high in potassium and low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure, a risk factor for stroke and heart disease.1
Potassium is considered a nutrient of public health concern in Canada and is a nutrient that must be listed on the new Nutrition Facts tables for food.2 If you have kidney disease or high blood pressure, talk to your doctor about the amount of potassium that is right for you.
Sources of Potassium
Potassium is found in a wide variety of foods, particularly fruits and vegetables. Good sources of potassium include 100% Florida Orange Juice, beans, lentils, tomatoes, pork, fish, and potatoes.3 A diet rich in a variety of vegetables and fruit may help reduce the risk of heart disease.4 An 8-ounce serving of 100% orange juice provides 10% of the recommended Daily Value for potassium.
A cup of Florida OJ has the same amount of potassium as a medium banana!5
One 8-ounce (1cup / 236ml) glass of 100% orange juice has as much potassium as one medium banana.5,6
Research Highlights for Health Professionals
Potassium is the major intracellular cation required for normal cell function. Moderate potassium deficiency increases risk of high blood pressure, kidney stones, and osteoporosis.7
Potassium plays an important role in good health. A healthy diet containing foods high in potassium and low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure, a risk factor for stroke and heart disease.8 A diet rich in a variety of vegetables and fruit may help reduce the risk of heart disease.9
Potassium is most commonly found with citrate in whole foods,7 including within 100% orange juice. Citrate is converted to bicarbonate in the body which is used for acid-base balance.7 By aiding in pH balance, potassium citrate reduces the risk of calcium loss from the bones which effects bone mineral density. Citrate may also reduce to the risk of kidney stones by increasing alkalinity of urine (increases pH) and increasing citrate excretion.7,10,11
*Values based on a 2000 calorie diet. Nutrient values may vary based on manufacturer, brand, and product types.
References
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency, 2018 May 11. Health Claims: Acceptable disease risk reduction claims and therapeutic claims.
- Government of Canada, 2017 July 24. Food labeling changes.
- USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 28 (slightly revised). US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Nutrient Data Laboratory; May 2016.
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency, 2018 May 11. Health Claims: Acceptable disease risk reduction claims and therapeutic claims.
- Government of Canada, Canadian Nutrient File, 2015 (food code #1704).
- MedlinePlus. National Institutes of Health US National Library of Medicine.
- Dietary Reference Intakes for Water, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride, and Sulfate. Institute of Medicine. National Academies Press ; Washington D.C. 2005.
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency, 2018 May 11. Health Claims: Acceptable disease risk reduction claims and therapeutic claims.
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency, 2018 May 11. Health Claims: Acceptable disease risk reduction claims and therapeutic claims.
- Urolithiasis. 2016; 44:51-56.
- Prezioso et al. Archivo Italiano di Urologia e Andrologia. 2015; 87(2):105-120.