This mineral, working in concert with sodium, maintains the body's fluid balance — a vital function. Potassium is also believed to catalyze carbohydrates and protein metabolism.

Deficiency symptoms can result in anxiousness, drowsiness, weakness, nausea, irrational behavior, and irregular heartbeat. Spectators are used to watching marathon runners swig cups of fluid on the run to help them replace bodily fluids lost through sweating. Actually, far less potassium is lost through sweat than through prolonged vomiting, diarrhea or diuretics used to treat hypertension.