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Minerals are the essential elements present in the food. Minerals in Food are useful for the proper functioning and development of our body. Some of the well-known minerals present in the food are calcium, iodine, iron etc.
- Minerals are important for our body's muscles and bones too.
- They are divided into two types based on the dosage our body needs of those inorganic substances.
- The deficiency of minerals in food leads to several syndromes and deficiency diseases and so does their excess.
Key Terms: Minerals, elements, inorganic substances, body, food, biology, micro minerals, macro minerals, calcium, iron, deficiency
What are Minerals?
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Minerals in food are the various inorganic substances present in the food we eat. These minerals are necessary for our body to get strength and function properly. Minerals also give us energy.
The human body needs a certain amount of minerals in food daily to ensure that the body is developing in a full-fledged manner and that different body parts are getting what they need. Minerals are divided into some types as per the requirement of the body. The examples of minerals in food are as follows:
Minerals in Food
Read More: Deficiency Diseases
Types Of Minerals
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All these minerals in food are divided into two types based on the amount of each, as required by the body. The minerals which are required in large amounts are known as macro minerals. Meanwhile, minerals that are required in small amounts are known as microminerals.
- Macro minerals: Macro minerals in food are essentially important to maintain the metabolism level of the body. Sodium, calcium, chloride, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and sulfur are the minerals kept in the category of macro minerals. Our bodies cannot produce these minerals on their own. That is the reason why we need to get them by consuming healthy and nutritious food. Macro minerals in food are mainly the minerals that our body requires regularly and in large quantities.
- Micro minerals: Microminerals, also known as trace minerals, are minerals in food that are necessary for the body but only in small amounts. Copper, cobalt, fluoride, iodine, iron, manganese, selenium, and zinc are trace minerals. Since these minerals are required in small quantities, therefore, consuming them in large quantities can cause minerals excessively.
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Minerals Deficiency
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Not getting minerals in food daily for a longer period can develop certain diseases in the body that are critical to deal with. Hence, their importance for the human body cannot be ignored. The lack of minerals in the body is known as a mineral deficiency.
A deficiency of minerals in food may lead to several diseases such as anemia, diarrhoea, bad bone and teeth, goitre, osteoporosis, etc.
Functions of Minerals
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The following are some typical minerals found in food and an explanation of how they work in the body.
- Calcium
Calcium act as aids in blood clotting.
- Calcium acts as aids in nerve and muscle contraction.
- It is necessary for the development of strong and healthy bones.
- Chloride
Chloride keeps our body fluids' pH, blood pressure, and blood volume at a healthy level.
- Copper
Copper is useful in red blood cell production.It helps the neurological system to operate properly.
- Iodine
Iodine mineral in food encourages the thyroid to operate normally.
- It acts as an aid in maintaining optimal brain function.
- It encourages cells to grow and develop normally.
- Iron
Iron act as aids in the delivery of oxygen to every region of the body. It generates and stores energy for other metabolisms.
- Magnesium
Magnesium minerals in food gives healthy bones structure.
- It utilizes the food molecules to produce energy.
- It maintains the neurological and muscular system operation.
- Manganese
Manganese maintains the balance of the water. It controls the transmission of nerve impulses.
- Phosphorus
Phosphorus acts as an aid to the body in storing and using energy. It acts as an aid in the development of strong, wholesome bones and teeth when combined with calcium.
- Potassium
Potassium minerals in food controls muscular contractions and nerve impulses.
- It helps in keeping the body's fluid balance.
- It maintains the neurological and muscular systems' normal operation.
- Sodium
Sodium maintains the osmotic pressure inside cells. It helps in maintaining the body's fluid balance, blood pressure, and volume of blood.
- Sulphur
Sulphur is involved in the production of proteins
- It prevents harm to your cells.
- It helps in encouraging skin loosening and shedding.
- Zinc
Zinc helps in the healing of wounds.
- The immunological system is supported.
- It helps in the development of sturdy bones.
- It controls how the nervous system's sensory organs operate.
- It is crucial and fundamental process of cell division and reproduction of cells.
Sources of Minerals
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The following are food sources of minerals:
- Calcium: Almonds, Broccoli, Canned Fish, Carrots, Cashews, Garlic Milk, and Papaya.
- Chlorine: Liver, Milk, peanuts, Table Salt, Soy Sauce, and Unprocessed Meat.
- Copper: Crab, Lobster, Mussels, Nuts, Oysters, Whole Grains, and Yeast extracts.
- Iodine: Iodised Salt, Seafood, and Seaweed.
- Iron: Baked Potato, Beans, Meat, Eggs, Dried Fruits, Green Leafy Vegetables, and Whole and Enriched Grains.
- Magnesium: Artichokes, Almonds, Honey, Seafood, Tuna, Chocolates, Pineapple, Pecans, and Green Leafy Vegetables
- Manganese: Cereals, Nuts, Oils, Whole Grains, and vegetables.
- Sodium: Cheese, Milk, Table Salt, Soy Sauce, and Unprocessed Meat.
- Sulfur: Cheese, Cucumbers, Corn, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Eggs, Fish, Nuts, Turnips, Onions, and Wheat Gram.
- Phosphorus: Almonds, Beans, Cashews, Carrots, Fish, Mushrooms, Meat, Oats, Squash, and Pecans.
- Potassium: Apples, Brussels Sprouts, Figs, Spinach, Oranges, Tomatoes, Papaya, Bananas, Lemons, Celery, Cucumbers, Mushrooms, Pecans, Raisins, Pineapple, Rice, Strawberries, and Legumes
- Zinc: Beans, Beef, Chicken, Cashews, Almonds, Dark meat, Pork, Peanuts, Split Peas, and Lentils.
Problems due to excessive minerals
Consuming too many minerals is also not helpful. It can cause severe problems to the human body.
- Calcium: Though an extremely important mineral but if it is consumed in excess then it can cause constipation and kidney stone problems.
- Iron: can result in cardiovascular problems, infertility, impotence, and liver disease.
- Sodium: blood cells increase the risk of stroke, other heart-related disorders, and Hypernatremia.
- Zinc: Excess consumption can cause diarrhoea, heart problems, kidney malfunction, and vomiting.
Things to remember
- Minerals in food are required for the proper functioning and development of the human body.
- Calcium, Iodine, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Sodium are some examples of minerals in food.
- Minerals are divided into two types- micro and macro minerals.
- Microminerals are also known as trace minerals.
- Lack of minerals may lead to several diseases such as anemia, diarrhea, bad bone, and teeth, Goiter, Osteoporosis, etc
Sample Questions
Ques. What among the following is a type of mineral? (1 Mark)
1. Riton
2. Calcium
3. Possum
4. Anaemic
Ans. Option 2. Calcium is the correct answer.
Explanation. Among the above-provided options, only calcium is a mineral. An anemic patient is a person suffering from anemia. Therefore, option b Calcium will be the correct answer.
Ques. Minerals are (1 Mark)
1. Essential components found in food
2. Children's learning practices
3. Flowers and their types
4. None of these
Ans. Option 1. Essential components found in food is the correct answer.
Explanation. Minerals are found in food and are necessary for the functioning of the body. Therefore, option a is the correct answer.
Ques. These are trace minerals except (1 Mark)
1. Selenium
2. Chromium
3. Phosphorus
4. Iron
Ans. Option 3. Phosphorus is correct.
Explanation. All others i.e. Chromium, Iron, and Selenium except Phosphorus are names of trace minerals that are also known as microminerals. Therefore, option c is the correct answer.
Ques. When our body is low in or missing an essential nutrient this is called a: (1 Mark)
1. Disease
2. Illness
3. Deficiency
4. Dearth
Ans. Option 3. is the correct answer.
Explanation. When our body is low in or missing an essential nutrient it is called a Deficiency and that's the correct answer.
Ques. Roughage is also known by what name? (1 mark)
Ans. Roughage is sometimes known as "dietary fibers."
Ques. What functions do carbohydrates serve in the body? (1 mark)
Ans. Our bodies get and mention their energy from carbohydrates.
Ques. List a few typical carbohydrate sources. (2 marks)
Ans. Sweet potatoes, sugar, wheat, honey, rice, maize, millet, and other foods are examples of typical sources of carbohydrates.
Ques. Give the names of two foods that are high in water. (2 marks)
Ans. Melons and tomatoes are the two foods that have a high water content. They are mainly used for keeping our bodies hydrated. It is usually found in the summer season.
Ques. What kinds of Minerals are present in the food? (2 marks)
Ans. The body needs two different sorts of minerals to be completely nourished. These minerals are:
Macrominerals include calcium, sodium, and chloride. Meanwhile, Iodine, manganese, fluoride, and others are microminerals.
Ques. What kinds of nutrients are present in the food? (2 marks)
Ans. Minerals, Fats, Carbohydrates, vitamins, water, and Protein are the nutrients present in food.
Ques. What are the negative effects of consuming too many minerals? (3 marks)
Ans. Specific disorders might develop in the body as a result of the excessive mineral consumption. Kidney issues and constipation can result from consuming too much calcium in the diet. Dietary excesses of zinc can cause diarrhea, cardiac issues, kidney dysfunction, and vomiting. The risk of stroke and heart-related conditions such as hypernatremia is greatly increased by the excess sodium in blood cells. Infertility, impotence, liver illness, cardiovascular issues, and impotence are other effects of too much iron.
Ques. What are a few examples of minerals in food? (3 marks)
Ans. The following are some examples of minerals that can be found in food. Vegetables, legumes, and milk products as well as milk itself contain calcium. Fish, pork, poultry, and eggs all contain phosphorus. Eggs, beef, beans, and baked potatoes all contain iron. Beef, almonds, pork, and wheat germ all contain zinc. Beans, nuts, and seeds all contain copper.
Ques. What Negative Effects Can Mineral Overconsumption have? Explain. (5 marks)
Ans. The human body always reacts negatively to excessive consumption of one particular food. Including too many minerals in your diet can cause some health problems.
- Constipation and renal issues can result from consuming too much calcium in our diets.
- Our diets may contain too much zinc, which can lead to heart issues, kidney troubles, vomiting, and other health issues.
- Blood cells with too much salt in them raise the risk of hypernatremia, stroke, and other heart-related issues.
- A high iron intake can cause impotence, liver disease, cardiovascular issues, and infertility.
- Mineral deficits are prevented by a balanced diet. To avoid any negative effects, vitamin and mineral supplements should not be used.
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