What is manganese and why do we need it?

When it comes to the essential nutrients in foods that we are all familiar with, the first ones names are the likes of iron, potassium, calcium and magnesium. But how about some of the lesser known nutrients, minerals such as manganese for instance?

This short post is going to provide an explanation as to what manganese is, and why it is just as important as the vitamins and minerals that we hear about everyday on the television through various forms of advertising and advice. I am also going to let you know some foods that contain manganese, to highlight exactly how easy it is to get enough in your diet each day.

Manganese is what is known as a trace mineral, and this means that although you require it regularly, the amount that is needed is less than essential minerals such as potassium.

We all have about 12 milligrams of manganese in our bodies, and this level should be kept up by making sure we get 2.3 milligrams per day through our diet, according to the nutritional recommendations of the U.S National Academy of Sciences.

Top sources of Manganese:

* Oat Bran
* Whole grain wheat flour
* Almonds
* Walnuts
* Raisins
* Avocados
* Seaweed
* Spinach
* Beans
* Broccoli - To find out more about broccoli nutrition facts please click here.

As you can see, there are a wide range of foods that are able to provide you with this mineral, and this means that including at least some, or even one, of them in your diet, should not be a problem.

If you like nuts then just 100 grams of almonds will provide you with all of the manganese you need in a day, as will the same serving of walnuts.

Why do we need manganese?

So what exactly does manganese do for your body? Like all of the other nutrients that the body craves to work properly, manganese plays specific roles in the making sure your body ticks along. These have been listed below:

* Manganese helps the body to convert fats and proteins into energy
* It is stored primarily in the bones, and helps their strength and growth
* Helps the body to absorb other nutrients such as Thiamin, also known as vitamin B1
* Manganese plays a primary part in the upkeep of your immune system
* Manganese is vital to the function of your nervous system
* Manganese helps to regulate your blood sugar levels
* As well as helping the development of your bones, manganese also plays a part in forming and lubricating fluid in your joints
* It helps the clotting of your blood
* Manganese has antioxidant properties
* Manganese helps your digestive system by stimulating enzymes that help your body to digest the food that you eat

The list above shows that this mineral really is something that is vital to your well being, without it your body would begin to break down in a number of ways. Making sensible choices when it comes to your diet is the primary way to ensure that your body is not lacking in manganese, or any other vitamin or mineral for that matter.

So that is what manganese is and exactly why we all need to make sure it is a feature in our diets.

If you would like to find out more about the vitamins and minerals that are found in foods, and why they are good for your body, please check out my website via the link below:


http://www.vitamins-minerals-in-food.com/