Minerals Found Naturally in Food

Many minerals are very important to our bodies and help them function properly everyday. Although supplements are always available that contain minerals, it is also important to find them naturally in foods that you like. Here are some common minerals, what they do, and what foods you can find them in:

Sodium

-Maintains fluid and electrolyte balance, supports muscle contraction and nerve impulse transmissions

-Found in: salt, soy sauce, bread, milk, meats

Calcium

-Formation of bones and teeth, supports blood clotting

-Found in: milk, yogurt, cheddar cheese, Swiss cheese, tofu, sardines, green beans, spinach, broccoli

Potassium

-Maintains fluid and electrolyte balance, cell integrity, muscle contractions and nerve impulse transmissio

-Found in: potatoes, acorn squash, artichoke, spinach, broccoli, carrots, green beans, tomato juice, avocado, grapefruit juice, watermelon, banana, strawberries, cod, milk

Iron

-Part of the protein hemoglobin (carries oxygen throughout body's cells)

- Found in: artichoke, parsley, spinach, broccoli, green beans, tomato juice, tofu, clams, shrimp, beef liver

Zinc

-A part of many enzymes, involved in production of genetic material and proteins, transports vitamin A, taste perception and wound healing

- Found in: spinach, broccoli, green peas, green beans, tomato juice,lentils, oysters, shrimp, crab, turkey (dark meat), lean ham, lean ground beef, lean sirloin steak, plain yogurt, Swiss cheese, tofu, ricotta cheese

Fluoride

-Involved in the formation of bones and teeth, helps to make teeth resistant to decay

-Found in: fluoridated drinking water, tea, seafood

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