Minerals are chemical elements necessary for the normal functioning of the body, where they occur as free ions or as part of a specific organic compound (hormones, enzymes). The body needs minerals in the same way as it needs vitamins, and each mineral in the body has a specific role.
Role of minerals in the body:
● Regulate chemical reactions
● Promote the building of bones, muscles, nerves
● Necessary for the transmission of nerve impulses and muscle contraction
● Maintain fluid balance in the body
● Production and digestion of energy
Minerals are divided into:
● Macronutrients – these include calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, sulfur…
● Trace elements – these include chromium, copper, iron, iodine, zinc…