Your Body's Main Electrical System

Sodium and potassium. Sodium and potassium form the body's main electrical system.

Sodium stays outside your cells, potassium stays inside. And your cells pump

them back and forth thousands of times per second. Constant swapping creates the electrical

charge that keeps your nerves firing, muscles contracting, and heart beating. Too much sodium

or too little potassium can disturb the balance. This makes your blood pressure rise

and puts extra strain on your heart. Sodium mainly comes from salt and processed foods.

Potassium is richest in bananas, avocados, spinach, and beans.