Potassium for Humans and Plants

Prof. M Zahidul Haque

Prof. M Zahidul Haque

Recently a research has found that taking potassium from natural sources regularly can lower blood pressure in humans. Potassium is the silent powerhouse of health—fueling every heartbeat, energizing every muscle, and balancing every cell.

Potassium is an essential element often referred to as a "macronutrient” plays a critical role in the biological processes of both humans and plants: it is indispensable for sustaining health, growth, and productivity.

A human being needs to take potassium either from natural sources or from supplements for maintaining a good health. Potassium performs the following key roles:

-- Regulation of Fluid Balance

-- Nerve Signal Transmission

-- Muscle Contractions

-- Blood Pressure Regulation

-- Bone Health

Potassium helps relax the walls of blood vessels, promoting lower blood pressure. It also counteracts the effects of excess sodium—a major contributor to high blood pressure—by aiding its elimination through urine.

Recommended potassium intake for average adult men is: 3,400 milligrams per day and women: 2,600 milligrams per day.

Meanwhile people with kidney disease plus some other medical disorders should consult with their physician before taking potassium supplements.

Humans can take Potassium from the following sources:

Foods such as bananas, oranges, potatoes, spinach, avocados, and beans are rich in potassium. A balanced diet containing these foods can help meet daily potassium requirements.

Like as potassium powers the heartbeat in humans, it fuels the lifeblood of plants—strengthening roots, boosting growth, and ensuring every leaf and fruit thrive with vitality In plants, potassium is one of the three primary macronutrients—Nitrogen,

Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK). It is vital for plant health and agricultural productivity. Potassium is indispensable element for plants because it ensures Enzyme activation, Water regulation, Disease resistance, Photosynthesis and energy production, increased yield and quality.

Plants absorb potassium from the soil in the form of potassium ions (K⁺).

Farmers often use fertilizers like potassium chloride or potassium sulfate to replenish soil potassium levels and ensure healthy crop growth.

Finally, it is to be concluded that Potassium is a cornerstone nutrient for life on Earth, essential for the health and vitality of both humans and plants. The health of humans and plants is intricately linked through potassium. Humans rely on plants as a primary source of dietary potassium, while plants depend on potassium-rich soil for growth. From promoting heart health in humans to enhancing crop yields in agriculture, potassium stands as a pillar of vitality—nurturing life, fostering growth, and sustaining harmony in the web of life.

(Prof. M Zahidul Haque is a former Faculty and Dean of Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Bangla Agriculural University and regular contributor to the GreenWatch, Dhaka)