What are Minerals and Their Properties
What is a mineral?
As with vitamins, we hear about minerals all the time. You can know many things or not about iron, zinc or manganese. But do you really know their properties and how there are important for your health? Are there the same of the minerals we can find on Earth?
First of all, yes, minerals available on Earth, are the same as we have in our body. But in a different form, thanks to mother nature (raw minerals are dissolved in plants, eating by animals and by us). These minerals are essentials for us due to their contribution in the human health.
We can find 16 types of essential minerals for our body. And, it’s time to go into details of those minerals and their properties. And for you to become more knowledgeable and healthier at the end of this article.
Calcium:
Calcium is a grey and white metal. It’s the fifth most abundant element of the earth’s crust. Calcium plays an important role in the development of our body, more precisely in the development of our bones and teeth. Indeed, for an adult, it helps to keep them healthy. You can generally find it in dairy foods, greens (broccoli, cabbage) and nuts.
Phosphorus:
You can find natural phosphorus in different colours: white and yellow, red and purple and black. Such as calcium, its principal property is the development of bones and teeth. Then, protein-rich foods like meats, nuts and dairy products contain phosphorus.
Potassium:
Potassium is a white alkaline metal naturally found in other elements in sea water and in many minerals. The property of Potassium is its power to reduce cerebral attack and to lower blood pressure. According to a study, high potassium reduces by 20% the overall mortality. You can find the study in the part sources of this article at the end.
Fruits are a very good source of potassium (bananas, oranges, apricots).
Sulfur:
Sulfur is a yellow crystal found in volcanic area. It’s the third most abundant mineral in your body. Sulfur has an antibacterial power for the body.
Finally, you can find it in garlic, onions and broccoli.
Sodium:
Sodium is a silvery alkaline metal. It’s very abundant in form of chemical compounds, especially in cooking salt. Sodium helps to increase blood volume.
However, excess of sodium is dangerous for the body due to the increase of blood. Thus, the heart has to work more. Sodium can be found generally in salted foods and frozen meats.
Take care of your consumption of salty food then.
Chloride:
This is an electrolyte found in sea water and rainwater. The property of chloride is the good repartition of water in the body.
Chloride can be found in different foods such as tomatoes, rice, celery or olives.
Magnesium:
Magnesium is an alkaline earthy metal. It acts in close collaboration with sodium, potassium and calcium. Magnesium is essential for the heart function. Indeed, it could help the body for getting or repairing muscles.
Moreover, avocado, quinoa, dark chocolate and whole grain have magnesium into them.
Read –> 8 foods that you love which are surprisingly healthy
Iron:
Iron is a metal. It’s the most common mineral in daily life. Furthermore, iron makes red blood cells in the body which carry oxygen around it. Nuts, beans, dried fruits and meats are a good source of iron.
Lack of iron can lead to anemia which is a sickness where you feel tired. So, make sure you have enough to be in good shape!
Zinc:
Zinc is a metal which looks like magnesium by several aspects.
This is an indispensable mineral for human health. Zinc can also boost your immune system. You can find Zinc in red meat and fish.
Copper:
Copper is a bronze colour metal. So, the main property of copper is its faculty to make red blood cells. Also, it helps the immune system. Copper is found in organ meats (such as liver), nuts, seeds and leafy greens (kale, spinach…).
Manganese:
Manganese is a transition metal. It’s an essential mineral because of its power in the brain function and nervous system. Also, it has other properties such as the improvement of bones health. Seeds and leafy green vegetables contain manganese.
Iodine:
Uncommon in the natural environment, the iodine is a metallic grey solid with purple vapours. The main property of this mineral is its faculty to make thyroid hormones. Which are essentials for growth and development of your body. You can generally find iodine in seafoods, dairy products, tuna or eggs.
Selenium:
Find in a muddy substance, the selenium is a black element. It plays an essential role in the immune function. Indeed, it helps the body in reproduction and thyroid hormones. You can find a good source of selenium in seafoods, beans, nuts, mushrooms.
Molybdenum:
Molybdenum is a silvery-white metal. It can be found directly in copper (about 0,01 to 0,5%). The main function of molybdenum is the build of amino acids which helps body to make proteins. Then, vegetables as lentils or leafy vegetables can contain this mineral.
Chromium:
Chromium is a silvery mineral which plays an important role in the development of carbohydrate and lipid in your metabolism. You can find chromium in broccoli, potatoes or red wine.
Fluoride:
Like the others, fluoride is an essential mineral for human health. Its main role is in dental and skeletal health. Indeed, fluoride reinforce them. You can find fluoride in water, avocado and fruits such as apple or strawberries.
Conclusion:
As you can see, there are a lot of minerals which have different properties and functions for the human body. Although there are all essential for your body. But don’t be afraid, you may not have any deficiencies if you have a healthy and various nutrition. We recommend you to eat some superfood daily to be sure you have enough of all these important minerals.
Now, you can say that you are an expert about Minerals and their properties.
Read –> How to organise and build your healthy meal
Sources and further readings:
HFA: https://www.hemophiliafed.org/news-stories/2010/11/essential-nutrients-vitamins-minerals/
HelpGuide: https://www.helpguide.org/harvard/vitamins-and-minerals.htm
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