Potassium Content in One Banana
One medium-sized banana contains approximately 450 mg of potassium, which is equivalent to about 12 mEq (milliequivalents) of potassium. 1
Nutritional Context
- A medium banana provides roughly 12 mmol (or 12 mEq) of potassium, making it one of the most concentrated dietary sources of potassium among commonly consumed fruits 1
- Bananas are classified as high-potassium foods, containing well over 200 mg per serving 1
- This amount represents approximately 10% of the recommended adequate daily intake for adults, which is 4,700 mg/day (approximately 120 mEq/day) 1
Clinical Relevance for Dietary Planning
For patients with normal renal function and hypertension, bananas are an excellent dietary source to help achieve the recommended 4-5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily, which can provide 1,500 to >3,000 mg of potassium 1
For patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 2-5, bananas should be avoided or strictly limited to prevent hyperkalemia, as a single banana can represent a significant portion of the recommended daily potassium restriction 1
Important Clinical Caveats
- Patients taking potassium-sparing diuretics (spironolactone, amiloride, triamterene), ACE inhibitors, or angiotensin receptor blockers are at increased risk for hyperkalemia and may need to limit banana consumption 1
- The World Health Organization recommends a potassium intake of at least 3,510 mg per day for optimal cardiovascular health 2
- Increasing dietary potassium through whole foods like bananas is generally preferred over supplementation for blood pressure management in patients with normal renal function 1