The bioavailability of potassium in bananas

ABSTRACT

Bananas are known to have a high K+ content. The bioavailability of the K+ in bananas was compared with that in Slow-K tablets in 5 normal subjects. 24-hr urinary K+ excretion was assumed to be an index of K+ absorbed from the gatro-intestinal tract. The results indicate that the K+ in bananasis available, since 24-hr K+ excretion rose significantly during the period of banana consumption. The rise in K+ excretion while taking Slow-K was however, greater, the difference between the two being highly significant (p<0.01). The possible reasons for this difference are discussed. It is suggested that bananas may be a useful and safer alternative to Slow-K for K+ supplementation in patients in whom the extra calories are not contraindicated (AU)