What Is the Potassium Level in Tofu?
Potassium is a micro-nutrient with important health benefits, discussed in this article. Fresh fruits and vegetables are the best sources of dietary potassium , but most tofu is also a good source.
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Potassium in Tofu
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A collection of nutrients in a lab According to Nutritiondata.com, most brands of tofu are about 0.2 percent potassium. Thus, a 100 gram serving of tofu contains approximately 200 milligrams of potassium, which is about half the amount found in a medium banana.
Benefits
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Measuring blood pressure According to Oregon State University's Linus Pauling Institute, potassium has been linked by several studies to lower blood pressure and lowered risk of stroke and osteoporosis.
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Source
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Soy beans The potassium in tofu comes from the soybeans used to produce it. Tofu, however, contains only a fraction of the potassium found in soybeans. A 100 gram serving of raw soybeans, for example, contains 1797 milligrams of potassium, more than half the Recommended Daily Allowance.
Considerations
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Vitamin pills Not all brands of tofu contain the same amount of potassium. Nasoya Lite Firm Tofu, manufactured by Vitasoy USA, contains no potassium at all, although it does contain much more Vitamin A than other tofu brands.
Warning
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A doctor checking her patient's heart rate Individuals suffering from hyperkalemia (excess potassium in the body) should follow their doctor's advice on eating consuming potassium-rich foods, including tofu.
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References
Resources
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