High potassium levels are mainly found in fruits and vegetables, and many questions arise in the head of a person who should avoid consuming fruits rich in potassium.
Some fruits like bananas are very known to be a high source of potassium, but what about the potassium content of dates? Do dates contain potassium?
Dates are produced from the tree palm; they are cultivated primarily in North Africa and North East.
Dates fruits are mainly commercialized in the dried form, and they are very high in sugar. Other types of dates include Medjool, eaten in fresh condition.
As we might notice, the potassium content of dates is very high, and in case you are following a kidney-friendly diet, with a high probability of chance your renal dietitian will discourage you from consuming it in large quantities, as they can raise the potassium levels in your blood, with severe consequence.
Are dried dates high in potassium?
Dried dates are dates that have been sun-dried to remove the moisture content, avoiding spoilage.
The dried date is the most famous form of date known. It’s either for its sweeter taste or its long shelf life, which can reach more than 12 months.
Dried dates are usually consumed as a snack or integrated into desserts. People who suffer from kidney disease should pay particular attention to the consumption of dried dates, mainly because their potassium content is very high.
High potassium in the blood is also known as hyperkalemia; having too much potassium can be dangerous. It can cause irregularity in the heartbeat and in the worst scenario heart attack.
Suppose you are affected by chronic kidney disease. In that case, it is highly recommended to follow the dietary requirements prescribed by your doctor, avoiding any possible risk that may arise from assuming high potassium foods.
Are Medjool dates high in potassium?
Medjool dates are a variety of dates, primarily cultivated in the region of Morocco, but they can also be found in the USA, Israel, Iran, Palestine, and Jordan.
Medjool dates varieties are both cultivated for consumption or landscaping.
Whatever you can purchase, you have to know that the Medjool dates variety and the others are rich in B vitamins, copper, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium.
Essential nutrients with a positive effect on cardiovascular, muscle, and digestive health.
Medjool dates varieties are higher in potassium than the dried version, and they can act as a threat for people affected by kidney failure.
You migth be interested to know:
Do dates have more potassium than bananas?
Feeding our body with the right amount of potassium is important, mainly because potassium is a mineral that carries out the important task of balancing the heartbeat and muscle movements.
The recommended daily potassium intake for a person of 18 years old is 4,700mg/day. The name hypokalemia refers to peoples that have low potassium.
The leading cause of low potassium may be derived from potassium loss in urine, which is usually a consequence of medication prescribed to patients with high blood pressure or heart disease.
Or it can be derived from low consumption of foods that contain a high potassium content.
It is particularly important to evaluate the potassium content of foods, and in case of problems, be followed by a nutritionist.
Are dates healthy?
One serving of dates (24g) contains 66.5 calories; they have a good amount of vitamin B, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, and folic acid, help increase energy levels and benefit digestion.
Dates are the perfect fruit to integrate into your diet if you are not suffering from kidney disease. Dates are good to be integrated as snacks into your diets because they are rich in fiber too, having the propriety of making you feel full for a longer time, avoiding eating others things.
It is essential to consider that dates are high in calories and that the increased consumption could cause side effects.
Final thoughts
Dates are fruits with an ancient history, they have been consumed for a long time, and still today they are used mainly worldwide, and loved by many peoples. Anyway, it is important to consider that dates are rich in potassium, and they will not fit best into a kidney-friendly diet.
