Manganese — A Life-Changing Mineral
When we hear about plant-based diets in popular culture, media sources often zone in on nutrients that are deficient in a diet free of animal products. Most people know the popular trope regarding a lack of vitamin B12 and calcium attributed to a vegan diet. However, the ironic thing about this view is that, in reality, the Standard American Diet is actually deficient in many vital nutrients and minerals that are readily available in a plant-based diet!
One of these amazing minerals is manganese. Found in nuts and seeds, wheat germ, whole grains, legumes, and pineapple, manganese is an essential mineral that plays a role in everything from fertility to blood sugar regulation. 37% of Americans don’t get the recommended daily value of manganese. Choose a plant-based diet rich in naturally occurring nutrients and minerals like manganese, and you will feel the difference in your body almost immediately. Appropriate levels of manganese consumption have been linked to:
- Reduced bone loss. This is of special importance to older women, as bone health often begins to deteriorate and tend towards fractures and osteoporosis as women age.
- Improved fertility rates. Manganese helps to regulate hormones and can consequently positively affect fertility.
- Helps the body metabolize carbohydrates. Manganese plays a key role in metabolic functions and can help your body process carbohydrates effectively and maintain more even blood sugar levels.
- Alleviation of PMS symptoms. Manganese can help to decrease PMS symptoms, including cramps, headaches, and mood swings.
More generally, manganese’s high antioxidant content has been linked to reduced levels of inflammation in the body (inflammation is a precursor for most major diseases, including cancer and heart disease) and a lessening in common signs of aging. All too often, we’re quick to turn to pills, cosmetics, and other expensive options as solutions for these health problems that manganese can solve. Explore including beans, whole grains, nuts and seeds in your daily diet with the help of Thistle’s convenient plant-based meal delivery service and discover your body’s ability to heal and care for itself when fueled with nature’s best foods.
