How Much Potassium Is in Parmesan Cheese?

Parmesan cheese contains a good amount of calcium and protein.

Parmesan cheese contains a good amount of calcium and protein.

Parmesan cheese is rich in several vitamins and minerals, but potassium isn't one of them. You'll get a minuscule amount of potassium, but add Parmesan cheese to your diet for the other nutrients it contains. Just don't eat too much of it, because it can be high in saturated fat and sodium.

Potassium in Parmesan Cheese

An ounce of Parmesan cheese contains just 26 milligrams of potassium. That's less than 1 percent of the 4,700 milligrams of this crucial mineral that you need to have each day.

Function of Potassium

Potassium is an electrolyte that works closely with sodium, chloride, calcium and magnesium to conduct electricity in your body. When this is done properly, your body is able to carry out many of the functions necessary for survival, such as maintaining a normal heart rhythm and digesting food. Potassium also contributes to a strong skeleton. A nutritious and well-balanced diet usually supplies all of the potassium you need, but being sick or getting dehydrated can cause low levels. Symptoms of low potassium include weakness, fatigue and muscle cramps. Certain medical problems that interfere with normal digestion, such as Crohn's disease or celiac disease, might cause low potassium, too. Dangerously low potassium causes an abnormal heart beat and can be life-threatening.

More Nutrients

One ounce of Parmesan cheese supplies 336 milligrams of calcium. That's 34 percent of the 1,000 milligrams you need each day for strong bones and healthy teeth. The same portion of Parmesan cheese delivers 197 milligrams of phosphorus, which is 28 percent of the 700 milligrams you should aim for on a daily basis. Phosphorus works with calcium to build and maintain bone mass. A serving of Parmesan cheese supplies small amounts of vitamin A, iron and vitamin B12, too.

Eating Parmesan Cheese

Parmesan cheese contains saturated fat and sodium, both of which increase your risk for high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. One ounce of the cheese has 7.3 grams of fat, of which 4.7 grams are saturated. The same portion of Parmesan cheese contains 454 milligrams of sodium. If you're healthy, that's 20 percent of the 2,300 milligrams of sodium you should limit yourself to each day. If you have heart disease or are over the age of 50, you shouldn't have more than 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day, and a serving of Parmesan cheese clocks in at 30 percent of that limit. Look for reduced-fat and low-sodium versions to improve the nutritional value. Sprinkle these healthier versions over pasta, tossed green salad or soup. Shave Parmesan cheese into a sandwich or scatter it over scrambled eggs or quiche.

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