Sci241

Mineral and Water Function Essay

SCI 241

November 21, 2013

Our body needs a number of things in order for us to stay healthy and essentially to stay alive. Nutrients and minerals are one of them. These things can be found in all the foods we eat and drink including water. We can eat fruits, vegetables, red meat, poultry, pork, or grains. The body needs many minerals; these are called essential minerals. Essential minerals are sometimes divided up into major minerals (macro minerals) and trace minerals (micro minerals). These two groups of minerals are equally important, but trace minerals are needed in smaller amounts than major minerals. The amounts needed in the body are not an indication of their importance. Some sources of minerals are sodium which is needed for proper fluid balance, nerve transmission, and muscle contraction. Sodium can be found in soy sauce, table salt, breads, and vegetables. Another type of mineral is calcium. Calcium is Important for healthy bones and teeth, helps muscles relax and contract, it is important in nerve functioning, blood clotting, blood pressure regulation, immune system health. Calcium can be found in milk and milk products, canned fish with bones (salmon, sardines), fortified tofu and fortified soy milk, greens (broccoli, mustard greens), and legumes. Other minerals that are important for our body is chloride, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, sulfur, iron, zinc, iodine, selenium, copper, manganese, fluoride, chromium, and molybdenum.

Without water in our system, we cannot survive for more than a couple of days. Whereas when it comes to food, we can go weeks about it. That just comes to show how important water is for us to live healthy and survive. Water keeps our body moisturized. What I mean by this, without water in our system we would look like dried up lake. Our skin will crack and when you scratch your body for skin will begin to turn white and flake off. That is because your body is dehydrated and is...