How Much Potassium in Coffee? Here’s the Answer!

Do you think of coffee as a healthy drink? Many people consume coffee because it has a low amount of calories. Besides that, coffee is also a source of energy and many nutrients. One of these nutrients happens to be potassium.

But what is the amount of potassium in coffee? The amount of potassium ranges depending on what type of coffee you are drinking. Regular black coffee tends to have higher potassium than instant coffee.

So what role does potassium play once you consume it? Depending on how much potassium you consume, we can help you determine its effects. So let’s begin by learning more about potassium and how much of it is in your coffee.

Amount Of Potassium In Your Coffee

There are so many food items and drinks that have a good amount of potassium, such as tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, specific beans, and bananas. Coffee is also one of the drinks that have potassium in it. So how much of it do you consume?

1.   Black Coffee

The standard measurement is that if you drink an 8 ounce of black coffee, you are consuming around 116 milligrams, which is easily under the allowed intake for an average human body.

2.   Decaf Coffee

You’ll find a higher amount of potassium in a decaf coffee than in a normal one. The potassium amount of 116 milligrams is increased to 216 milligrams. If you have a condition, then do consider this point.

3.   Instant Coffee

As stated earlier, instant coffee has less potassium, and it’s around 50 to 70 milligrams.

Does Potassium Have Any Health Benefits?

Potassium is a mineral that your body requires. This mineral plays a role in how well your nerves and muscles function. It means that your body needs a certain amount of potassium, but having too much can be dangerous at times.

So what are the key benefits of having potassium in your body?

• Provides energy
• Reduces water retention
• Maintains blood pressure and heart rate
• Helps in the proper functioning of nerves
• Lowers chances of muscle loss

The Risks Of Having Potassium?

Besides being an essential component of the human body, potassium might get fatal if its blood concentration increases.

As discussed earlier, potassium helps in nerves and muscle coordination, but an appreciation of potassium level in human blood can lead to heart-related diseases like heart attack and Hyperkalemia.

Don’t be scared; the best thing about the human body is that a healthy body can consume 2600mg to 3400mg of potassium intake. People with health problems must consult their diet with the doctor.

So Should You Have Coffee?

One question that might be arising in your mind after going through the risks of high potassium is whether or not you should have coffee? To answer the question, you don’t necessarily have to quit coffee just because of its potassium.

Potassium is essential for the human body to work correctly. But the consumers with kidney-related problems and other diseases that require a potassium-free diet, then you must consider quitting.

But luckily, the majority of healthy people would be fine after consuming coffee as it doesn’t exceed the recommended daily intake of potassium for the human body.

When To Consult A Doctor?

Now that you know all about the perks and risks of potassium, let me tell you some common symptoms of Hyperkalemia;

• Weakness or Tiredness
• Nausea
• Trouble breathing

Symptoms may vary among different patients, but you should get it checked by a doctor if you notice any symptoms mentioned above.

Extremely high potassium levels may lead to severe health and life-threatening problems, which is why it is always best to keep a check. If you have Hyperkalemia and your potassium level shoots, do call your local emergency service or, if accessible, go to the nearest medical center.

Takeaway

As you learned, potassium is a mineral that you need to have for your body to function normally. It helps take care of your muscles, your heart, and so much more. For this reason, you should consume at least 3000 milligrams of potassium per day unless you have a condition. 

To have a more detailed look and keep track of your potassium intake, read the description of your coffee packaging. Every company prints the nutritional fact chart to measure the exact amount of potassium and other minerals in your cup of coffee.