Sweet potatoes are not the same thing as yams, although you might find them labeled as such in stores. Yams usually come from the Caribbean and are light in color, whereas sweet potatoes are deeply hued and range from orange to dark purple -- traits that reflect their antioxidant content. They're also a respectable source of potassium, an electrolyte of which healthy adults should get about 4,700 milligrams per day.

Potassium in Sweet Potatoes

One 5-inch raw sweet potato contains about 438 milligrams of potassium. A large, cooked sweet potato in the skin contains more than 850 milligrams. A medium banana, by comparison, contains about 440 milligrams of potassium and a cup of coconut water has about 600 milligrams. Potassium, along with other electrolytes such as calcium, magnesium and sodium, helps regulate your body's fluid balance, muscle contraction and heart function.

Other Nutrients

A 5-inch sweet potato provides about 112 calories, mostly contained in its 26 grams of carbohydrate. It also contains about 4 grams of fiber, 2 grams of protein and virtually no fat. In addition to potassium, notable vitamins in sweet potatoes include about a third of your daily requirement of vitamin C and more than four times your daily requirement of vitamin A.

Hypokalemia

Potassium deficiency is a concern for athletes and heavy exercisers, who deplete their levels through sweating, as well as for people suffering with fever, heat exhaustion, vomiting, diarrhea, an eating disorder, kidney disease or circumstances that can lead to dehydration. Low-carb dieters are also susceptible to low potassium because they avoid the fruits and vegetables that tend to be the best sources. Early symptoms of potassium depletion, or hypokalemia, include muscle cramping or fatigue, especially during exercise. Severe potassium loss can be life-threatening. Seek immediate treatment if you suffer heart arrhythmia, a loss of muscle control or paralysis.

Prevention