15 Various Health Benefits of Minerals
Minerals are required for good health. They play a vital role in many of the body’s functions, including cell function, fluid balance, and metabolism. Minerals are found in food and water, and they are absorbed by the body through the gut.
There are many different minerals, and each has a specific role in the body. For example, calcium is necessary for strong bones and teeth, while iron is needed for healthy blood cells. It is important to eat a balanced diet that includes a variety of foods to ensure that you get enough of all the essential minerals. (1)
Top 13 Foods Highest in Minerals
We need many minerals that cannot be made by the body, so must be obtained through diet. Minerals are found in both plant and animal foods and are needed for a number of functions, including: building bones and teeth, maintaining fluid balance, aiding in muscle contraction, and helping to conduct nerve impulses.
There are two types of minerals: macro minerals and trace minerals. Macro minerals are needed in larger amounts and include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, and sulfur. Trace minerals are needed in smaller amounts and include iron, manganese, copper, iodine, zinc, selenium, fluoride molybdenum. It is best to get minerals from food sources because the body can more easily absorb them than from supplements.
- Meat
- Nuts
- Milk
- Dairy products
- Fruits
- Green leafy vegetables
- Fish
- Cereals
- Legumes
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Beans
- Lentils