Like vitamins, minerals keep the body healthy. Also like vitamins, they require you to stick to a healthy diet! It is not a good idea to overdo certain minerals. A good example of this is sodium, as many people eat large amounts of sodium without even realizing it!
There are two kinds: macrominerals and trace minerals. Your body needs more macrominerals than trace minerals. They are listed below along with some (not all) of the foods rich in each mineral:
Calcium: For healthy bones
Dairy, leafy greens, orange juice
Phosphorus: Strong bones, repairing cells
Tomato, banana, potato, yogurt
Magnesium: Supports 300+ biochemical reactions in the body
Beans, whole grains, nuts
Potassium: For healthy muscles and nervous system
Salmon, sweet potato, avocado, spinach
Sodium: Nutrient absorption, muscle and nerve function
Found in most foods (people overdo their sodium intake often)
Sulfur: Collagen production
Veggies, dried fruit, dairy
Chloride: Aids in digestion
Table salt
Trace Minerals (your body only needs a little bit, but they are just as important as macrominerals):
Iron: Transports oxygen
Meat, tuna, eggs, beans
Manganese: Plays a role in metabolism
Whole grains, leafy veggies, tea
Copper: Plays a role in metabolism and provides energy
Leafy greens, summer squash, nuts, seeds
Iodine: For a healthy thyroid
Yogurt, strawberries, cheese
Zinc: Healthy immune system
Dark meat, nuts, legumes
Cobalt: To help absorb b12▪
Oats, fish, leafy greens, nuts
Fluoride: For healthy teeth
Tea, grapes, walnuts
Selenium: Disease prevention
Tuna, sardines, beef, chicken, some nuts
Always consult your physician before beginning any nutrition or fitness program, especially if you are currently being treated for any illness or medical condition, taking prescription medication, or following a doctor recommended diet.