The bioavailability of potassium in bananas

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 gastro-intestinal tract. The results indicate that the K⁺ in bananas is 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+ supplementation in patients in whom the extra calories are not contraindicated.