Mineral salts are a category of micro-nutrients derived from rocks found in foods in their natural form. They are found in many foods of plant origin as well as in mineral water or in spring water.
Characteristics of inorganic salts:
- The main mineral salts are calcium, iron, magnesium and sodium
- Enter the constitution of the majority of foods
- Mineral Requirements Covered by a Varied and Balanced Diet
- A lack of intake can lead to various and more or less serious consequences depending on the mineral in question
Why consume foods rich in minerals?
Mineral salts: definition and benefits
They all have basic roles in the body: cardiac activity, maintenance of hair or skin or regulator of blood circulation. The role varies depending on the mineral salt concerned, in all cases it is essential to the body and must be provided in adequate quantity.
Where to find mineral salts in the diet?
The following table presents the main mineral salts and foods rich in these mineral salts:
Name | Main Sources |
Calcium | Dairy products Leafy green vegetables Legumes Oilseeds |
Iron | Offal Poultry Meat Fish and crustaceans Soybeans, tofu |
Magnesium | Cocoa Green vegetables Whole grain cereals Oilseeds Certain mineral waters |
Phosphorus | Dairy products Wheat germ Cocoa Oilseeds |
Potassium | The banana Legumes Soluble coffee Milk |
Sodium | Table salt Soy sauce Charcuterie Cheese |
Sulfur | Offal Meat Fish and Seafood Sprouts |
How to properly use mineral salts?
Use of mineral salts
Each of the mineral salts gives rise to a specific nutritional recommendation according to the population. To improve its intake of minerals, it may be interesting to vary the mineral water consumed to cover optimally all inputs. Similarly, a varied and balanced diet can meet the need for dietary minerals.
In case of increased need for minerals or difficulty in meeting the needs of the diet, it may be advisable to consider supplementation. There are complete dietary supplements that can help effectively cover the needs. Be careful though, a dietary supplement never replaces the benefits of a varied and balanced diet. It is simply additional help and punctual.
Undesirable effects of dietary minerals
Consequence of a deficiency or an excess in mineral salts
The symptoms of mineral deficiency or excess are specific to each mineral salt. A blood test can highlight a deficiency in mineral salts.
Interactions (with other nutrients)
There is a very close link between an adequate supply of minerals and the metabolism of other micronutrients in the body. For example, iron promotes the absorption of vitamin B12 and improves the bioavailability of cobalt and phosphorus. Similarly, a sufficient phosphorus intake improves the assimilation of vitamins B12, B6 and silicon. This is why we must ensure that we have a diet that can cover all the dietary minerals needs.
Chemical Properties
Mineral salts are chemical elements found in foods of animal and vegetable origin. They are systematically in ionic form, cations or anions depending on the mineral in question. Here are the symbols of the main minerals essential to the organism:
Name | Chemical Symbol |
Calcium | Ca |
Iron | Fe |
Magnesium | Mg |
Phosphorus | P |
Potassium | K |
Sodium | Na |
Sulfur | S |