Prevent kidney stone formation
Potassium is important for many body processes, including preventing kidney stones. These are small and hard deposits that form in the kidneys. They can cause pain and other problems if they get too large or block the urinary tract.
Potassium helps prevent kidney stones by keeping calcium in the bloodstream. Calcium is one of the main ingredients of kidney stones. When there is too much calcium in the blood, it can bind with other substances and form stones. By keeping calcium in the blood, potassium helps prevent kidney stones from forming.
Potassium also helps to break down kidney stones that have already formed. Stones that are broken down are more likely to be passed out of the body before they cause any problems. Potassium helps keep the urinary tract clear so that stones can be passed out of the body more easily.