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Home » Fruits

Are Bananas Really High in Potassium?

aaron l gravelyMedically Reviewed by Aaron Gravely, MD · Written by Rizza Joyce Mira, MD · Updated on February 3, 2023

Nowadays, many people follow specific diets to address different health issues, such as a low-potassium diet for those with kidney problems. Followers of such a diet have to know the potassium content of everything they eat, and bananas are known for their high potassium content.

Are Bananas High In Potassium

But how much potassium do bananas contain? And can they be safely eaten by those with kidney troubles or potassium sensitivity?

Table of Contents
  • Are Bananas High in Potassium?
  • How Much Potassium Is in Bananas?
  • Nutritional Facts: 1 Small Banana (3.5 oz/101 g)
  • Which Has More Potassium, Banana or Avocado?
  • Which Has More Potassium, Banana or Apple?
  • Which Has More Potassium, Banana or Potato?
  • Can You Get Too Much Potassium from Bananas?
  • Can You Eat Bananas on a Low-potassium Diet?
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Conclusion

Are Bananas High in Potassium?

Bananas are high in potassium, with a small banana containing almost 10% of the recommended daily intake. That's much more potassium than apple, pineapple, orange, or grapefruit but less than avocado, pomegranate, and dates.

How Much Potassium Is in Bananas?

A small banana contains around 362 mg of potassium, around 10% of the recommended daily intake. Bananas are one of several high-potassium fruits that people following a low-potassium diet should be aware of.

  • 15 Fruits High in Potassium
Are Bananas High in Potassium? Infographic
Are Bananas High in Potassium? Infographic

Can You Check Your Potassium Level at Home?

The Best Low Potassium Snacks

Nutritional Facts: 1 Small Banana (3.5 oz/101 g)

  • Calories: 90
  • Total Fat: 0.3 g 0%
    • Saturated fat: 0.1 g 0%
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg 0%
  • Sodium: 1 mg 0%
  • Potassium: 361.6 mg 10%
  • Total Carbohydrate: 23 g 7%
    • Dietary fiber: 2.6 g 10%
    • Sugar: 12 g
  • Protein: 1.1 g 2%
  • Vitamin C: 14%
  • Calcium: 0%
  • Iron: 1%
  • Vitamin D: 0%
  • Vitamin B6: 20%
  • Vitamin B12: 0%
  • Magnesium: 6%

Which Has More Potassium, Banana or Avocado?

Banana Vs. Avocado
Banana Vs. Avocado

Avocado has the highest potassium content among fruits, with 100 grams containing 485 mg, around 13% of the recommended daily intake.

100 gBananaAvocado
Calories89160
Carbohydrates23 g9 g
Protein1.1 g2 g
Fat0.3 g15 g
Fiber2.6 g7 g
Potassium358 mg485 mg
Vitamin C (%DV)14%16%
Vitamin B6 (%DV)20%15%
Vitamin B12 (%DV)0%0%
Calcium (%DV)0%1%
Iron (%DV)1%3%
Magnesium (%DV)6%7%
Vitamin D (%DV)0%0%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
  • Are Pineapples High in Potassium?

Which Has More Potassium, Banana or Apple?

Banana Vs. Apple
Banana Vs. Apple

Banana contains three times as much potassium, with 100 grams of apple containing only 107 mg, 3% of the recommended daily intake.

Somewhat surprisingly, bananas also have more vitamin C than apples, along with more vitamin B6 and magnesium.

100 gBananaApple
Calories8952
Carbohydrates23 g14 g
Protein1.1 g0.3 g
Fat0.3 g0.2 g
Fiber2.6 g2.4 g
Potassium358 mg107 mg
Vitamin C (%DV)14%7%
Vitamin B6 (%DV)20%0%
Vitamin B12 (%DV)0%0%
Calcium (%DV)0%0%
Iron (%DV)1%0%
Magnesium (%DV)6%1%
Vitamin D (%DV)0%0%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
  • Is Honey High in Potassium?

Which Has More Potassium, Banana or Potato?

Banana Vs. Potato
Banana Vs. Potato

Potatoes contain more potassium than banana at 421 mg vs. 358 mg per 3.5 oz (100 g) serving. They're also higher in vitamin C and iron but have fewer calories and carbs.

100 gBananaPotato
Calories8977
Carbohydrates23 g17 g
Protein1.1 g2 g
Fat0.3 g0.1 g
Fiber2.6 g2.2 g
Potassium358 mg421 mg
Vitamin C (%DV)14%32%
Vitamin B6 (%DV)20%15%
Vitamin B12 (%DV)0%0%
Calcium (%DV)0%1%
Iron (%DV)1%4%
Magnesium (%DV)6%5%
Vitamin D (%DV)0%0%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Can You Get Too Much Potassium from Bananas?

The potassium in a small banana represents between 12 and 18% of the recommended daily intake for someone following a low-potassium diet of 2,000 to 3,000 mg daily. Therefore, it's certainly possible to get too much potassium from bananas for people on this diet.

  • Is Pork Meat High in Potassium?

Can You Eat Bananas on a Low-potassium Diet?

Plum and Banana Salad with Lime Dressing and Cashews
Plum and Banana Salad with Lime Dressing and Cashews

Low-potassium dieters should eat at most a couple of small pieces of banana daily, if that.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are bananas good for diarrhea?

 

Bananas were once recommended for diarrhea as part of the BRAT food group, and the fiber in bananas adds bulk and firmness to the stool.

Are bananas radioactive?

 

According to the EPA, bananas are slightly radioactive due to their high potassium content. However, each banana emits only 0.01 millirem of radiation, a tiny amount.

You'd need to eat 100 bananas to get the same dosage you get every day from background environmental radiation in the U.S. 

Are bananas high in fiber?

 

One small banana contains around 10% of the recommended daily fiber intake. That's more than potatoes, apples, pineapples, and oranges but less than avocadoes, pears, or raspberries.

Conclusion

Bananas are high in potassium, so they are a great addition to the diets of those seeking to increase their potassium intake. However, those on a low-potassium diet should tread with caution.

Don't know which foods are high in potassium? Read our article 15 Best Food Sources of Potassium. We also have a guide on this important mineral: Potassium 101: All You Need To Know About Potassium.

Source: USDA

Related posts:

  1. 11 Best Banana Liqueur Substitutes
  2. Does Eating Avocado Have Health Benefits? 20 Research Papers Examined
  3. Are Potassium Supplements Necessary or Can I Just Eat Natural Foods?
  4. Why Do Bananas Give Me Heartburn?
  5. Banana Vs Plantain - What's the Difference?
  6. Cafe-Style Banana Bread Recipe

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aaron l gravely

Aaron L. Gravely, MD earned his MD from Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons and BA in Neurobiology from Harvard College.

Aaron has over 5 years of experience revising medical content and scientific language for usage, flow, and clarity in accordance with the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) and the American Medical Association (AMA).

More about us →

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