Garlic is highly nutritious, and just a little added to soups, sauces, and salads imparts a delicious flavor and distinctive pungent aroma. It was used as a medicine in ancient times, and perhaps people then knew what they were doing, as we now know that garlic contains many beneficial compounds and antioxidants.
However, many people suffering from kidney issues follow a low-potassium diet, meaning they must know the potassium content of different foods and stay within the daily intake recommended by their doctor.
Is garlic a safe dietary addition for those on such a diet?
Table of Contents
Is Garlic High or Low in Potassium?
Garlic is low in potassium and is usually eaten in small amounts, so it's safe for those on a low-potassium diet.
It's highly nutritious and contains many beneficial compounds and antioxidants, so it's an excellent addition to any diet.
How Much Potassium Is in Garlic?
Three cloves contain only around 36.1 mg of potassium, and garlic is also low in calories and fat.
Is Garlic Healthy?
Garlic contains manganese, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and selenium, so adding a clove to your meal adds more than just flavor.
The compounds in garlic boost your immune system, and one study found that daily garlic supplementation over 12 weeks reduced the number of cold infections in the study group.
Garlic also contains active compounds that can lower your risk of cardiovascular disease. These compounds reduce your blood pressure almost as effectively as medication when consumed regularly.
Garlic contains potent antioxidants, which flush out harmful free radicals, preventing oxidative stress and cellular damage.
Oxidative damage has been linked to an increased risk of chronic conditions like diabetes and cancer.
The antioxidants in garlic may also reduce blood pressure and cholesterol, lowering your risk of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other cognitive disorders.
Many people take garlic supplements to reduce heart rate and enhance exercise capacity.
Can You Get Too Much Potassium from Garlic?
Everyone needs some potassium in their diet, but it would be almost impossible to get too much from eating garlic.
Is Garlic Powder High in Potassium?
One tablespoon of garlic powder contains around 90.8 mg of potassium. It's also low in calories and contains some vitamin B12, phosphorus, selenium, and thiamin.
Garlic powder is lower in sodium than some spices; too much sodium can raise your blood pressure.
Is Garlic Butter High in Potassium?
One tablespoon of garlic butter contains around 6.9 mg of potassium. However, it's high in calories and fat.
Conclusion
Garlic is a delicious, nutritious addition to anyone's diet, including those with potassium sensitivity or kidney problems.
Don't know which foods are high in potassium? Read our article, 15 Best Food Sources of Potassium. We also have a guide to this important mineral: Potassium 101: All You Need To Know About Potassium.