4 Super Macromineral Foods

The macrominerals are a group of seven nutrients (calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and sulphur) that are essential for good health. They help maintain fluid balance in your body, keep your blood healthy, support your vital organs and much more. But which foods contain the highest levels of these important nutrients? In this article I discuss four super macromineral foods.

1) BUTTER:- Despite margarine being touted as the healthy option, butter is actually the more nutritious food and is rich in two important macrominerals. 100 grams (g) gives you 1300 milligrams (mg) of chloride and 840mg of sodium. Chloride has various roles in the body which include assisting in the absorption of certain minerals whilst sodium also has numerous functions in the body which include supporting muscle and nerve contractions. On top of this butter contains high levels of saturated fat (which despite the negative press can actually keep your vital organs healthy and prevent heart disease), vitamin A (which supports healthy vision) and vitamin D (which helps your body absorb calcium and phosphorus).

2) BRAZIL NUTS:- Brazil nuts contain very high levels of three key macrominerals; magnesium, phosphorus and sulphur. A 100g portion provides you with 70mg of magnesium, 590mg of phosphorus and 290mg of sulphur. Magnesium has a number of roles in the body including promoting proper circulation whilst phosphorus works with calcium to build strong, healthy bones and sulphur helps keep your joints and skin healthy. Brazil nuts are also packed full of dietary fat (which protects your body from numerous diseases), vitamin E (an antioxidant which protects your body from oxygen related damage) and selenium (another antioxidant which protects your body from oxygen related damage).

3) MILK:- Milk is an excellent source of two macrominerals; calcium and phosphorus. A 100 millilitres (ml) serving supplies you with 11.4mg of calcium and 100mg of phosphorus. Calcium is essential for the construction of strong bones and teeth. On top of this milk is rich in vitamin A, vitamin B2 (which helps your body break down food for energy), vitamin B7 (which helps your body break down food for energy) and vitamin D.

4) SPINACH:- Spinach is a super macromineral food containing high levels of four of the seven. A 100g portion gives you 136mg of calcium, 87mg of magnesium, 490mg of potassium and 90mg of sulphur. Potassium has a number of roles in the body which include supporting healthy metabolism and muscle growth. Spinach also contains good levels of dietary fibre (which reduces constipation and improves blood glucose control), vitamin A, vitamin B2, vitamin B6 (which helps the body break down protein), vitamin B9 (which assists in the production of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA)), vitamin C (which is essential for the proper healing of wounds), vitamin K (which is essential for proper blood clotting), iron (which supports energy production and oxygen distribution) and manganese (which activates a number of important enzymes).

If you feel your diet is lacking macrominerals then try some of the foods listed in this article. Not only are they great macromineral foods but they are also rich in many other nutrients making them a key part of any healthy diet.