Potassium is a mineral and electrolyte that is necessary for your body. Potassium works with sodium to maintain cell membrane potential, which is needed for muscle contraction, the processing of the heart and nerve impulse transmission. Some enzymes also need potassium to enable them to carry out their functions; this includes an enzyme that is necessary to metabolize carbohydrates for energy. Potassium also might decrease your risk of stroke, osteoporosis, high blood pressure and kidney stones. Soybeans are a strong dietary source of potassium.
Adequate Intake
The Institute of Medicine sets adequate intake amounts for nutrients. It recommends an potassium intake of 4,700 mg per day for both male and female adults aged 19 and older. Pregnant women aged 14 to 50 still need 4,700 mg. Breastfeeding women of those ages need an additional amount; they should obtain 5,100 mg per day.
Potassium Content in Soybeans
Soybeans contribute a significant amount of potassium toward the daily adequate intake. One cup of raw green soybeans contains 1,587 mg of potassium, according to the USDA Nutrition Database. The same serving size cooked loses some of those nutrients, but still contains a significant amount of potassium with 970 mg.
Soybean Nutrition
Soybeans provide an abundance of nutrients in addition to potassium. A half-cup serving of green soybeans has 110 calories, 3 g of fat and no saturated fat or cholesterol. It provides 1 g of fiber, 11 g of protein and 10 percent of the daily value each of vitamin A, calcium and iron. Soybeans are a complete protein that includes all nine essential amino acids, unlike most plant foods, which lack some of the amino acids.
Comparison
Soybeans provide more potassium toward your daily goals than many other sources. For example, one medium baked potato with the skin contains 926 mg of potassium, 1/2 cup of raisins has 598 mg, 1/2 cup of dried plums provides 637 mg, one medium banana has 422 mg and 6 oz. of tomato juice gives 417 mg.
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