Minerals are very important nutritive components of food. Minerals are helpful for health and general development of the body, proper functioning of the muscles, formation of teeth, clotting of blood and in maintaining the balance of acid and base in the body. The main minerals are stated below:
Calcium: Calcium is helpful in the formation of teeth and bones. It helps in clotting of blood. It also maintains the balance between acid and base. Its deficiency causes numerous diseases like asthma, rickets and skin diseases like scabies, eczema and chilblains etc. Milk, cheese, yolk, orange and green vegetables have rich amount of calcium.
Phosphorus: Phosphorus is helpful in the formation of teeth and bones. It is found in egg, fish, meat, milk, liver and in unpolished rice.
Iron: Iron has an important role to play in the human body. It plays an important function in the formation of haemoglobin. It is also helpful in metabolising fats, carbohydrates and protein. Its absence in body may cause anaemia. The main source of iron is liver. Besides this, it is found in enough quantity in meat, egg, dry fruits and green vegetables.
Iodine: For the creativity as well as activity of thyroid gland, the iodine is essential. The deficiency of iodine may cause goitre disease. Its deficiency may hinder the growth and development. A child may remain a dwarf. The skin becomes rough and fatty. Its deficiency may stop the growth of hair. Generally, iodine is not taken in sufficient quantity by those persons who live too far from the sea. It is found in rich quantity in sea fish. Iodized salt is the main source of iodine.
Sodium: Sodium maintains the balance of acid and base. It also maintains the balance of water in the body. Sodium also helps in the contraction of muscles. Sodium is available in enough quantity in common salts. Besides this, it is found in milk and milk products, meat, eggs, etc.
Potassium: The deficiency of potassium weakens the muscles of the body and the individual becomes lethargic. An individual may fall prey to Addison’s disease. It is mostly found in carrot, beet root, onion, tomato, orange, mango, banana and apple, etc.
Sulphur: It is helpful for the cells of body. It is also helpful for the formation of hair and nails. It is found in egg, radish, pulses, carrot, peas, spinach, tomato, cabbage and cereals.
