Minerals are essential (= vital) inorganic nutrients that the organism cannot produce itself. They must be supplied through food.

We need minerals for metabolism, growth and reproduction, for example. To keep our body healthy and functioning properly, we need to supply it with vital minerals every day through food or in the form of food supplements.

The mineral content of our food depends, among other things, on the nature of the soil on which the plant used to produce it was grown. The mineral content of meat, dairy products and eggs depends on how the animals from which the products come were fed.

The processing and preparation of food can lead to significant losses of minerals.

Distinction

Based on their concentration in the human body and their quantity in daily requirements, minerals are divided into two groups.

1. In the so-called quantity elements or macro elements and
2. the trace elements or microelements.

The macroelements can be distinguished from the trace elements because they make up more than 0.01% of the body weight.

The essential minerals or macroelements include:

• Calcium
• chloride
• potassium
• magnesium
• sodium
• phosphorus

These minerals have important functions in the human body. They play an important role in water and electrolyte balance, nerve function and muscle mobility. They are also essential for the development of bones and teeth.