Chapter 6: Mineral Salts

After studying this chapter, you will be able to:

(a) list the sources of mineral salts and explain their functions in the body.

(b) plan a diet to cater for common mineral intake imbalances in the body.

(c) describe the factors that affect the absorption of mineral elements.

Keywords

1. Absorption
2. Inorganic
3. Macro-elements
4. Micro-elements

Introduction

Your body needs mineral salts in small quantities. Does this mean that they are not important? No! They are very essential to the formation of body structure and maintenance of health. If they are not included in the diet, various deficiency diseases may occur. They are all water soluble and therefore care must be taken during preparation and cooking of foods to minimise loss. By so doing, you will be able to retain the nutrients during food preparation.

Cook food containing mineral salts in little water and use the remaining water (stock) to prepare sauce or soups. This ensures their intake and therefore, prevention of imbalances. Foodstuffs containing mineral salts should not be soaked in water for long to avoid leaching of the mineral. Heat and food processing do not affect the mineral content of food.

Activity 6.1 Finding out the meaning of mineral salts

1. In small groups, find out the meaning of mineral salts.

2. Give some examples of mineral salts you know.

6.1: Sources and functions of mineral salts in the body

The different mineral salts have got specific functions in your body therefore you cannot generalise their uses. A well balanced diet will supply all the mineral salts in sufficient amounts to your body.

Activity 6.2 Researching on the sources and uses of mineral salts in the body

1. In small groups, use the internet, textbooks and find out the food sources of the mineral salts and explain their functions in the body.

2. Fill in the table below.

Activity 6.3 Conserving mineral salts when preparing vegetables

1. In groups, use locally available vegetables to prepare a salad to demonstrate how you can retain nutrients.

2. In small groups, design a leaflet to explain ways of conserving mineral salts when preparing vegetables. Include the foods that richly provide specific minerals in the diet.

Some recipes for vegetable salads

Mixed vegetable salad

Ingredients

• 2 tomatoes
• 1 cucumber
• 2-3 finely sliced cabbage
• 1 carrot
• 1 onion
• 1⁄2 tablespoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of vinaigrette sauce

Method

• Boil water and add a 1⁄2 teaspoon of salt.
• Wash whole vegetables in the salt water.
• Neatly cut the vegetables into small desired shapes. Use a sharp knife.
• Alternative slides of tomato, carrot, onion and cucumber.
• Sprinkle with vinaigrette sauce.

Tomato salad

Ingredients

• 200g of tomatoes
• 1/4 lettuces
• 1 teaspoon of vinegar
• 10g chopped of onions

Method •

• Chopped parsley or mixed herbs.
• Peel tomatoes if required.
• Place the lettuce leaves on a plate.
• Slice thinly and arrange without over handling on lettuce leaves.
• Sprinkle with vinegar, onion and parsley.

Russian Salad (Vegetable salad)

Ingredients

1. 100g of carrots
2. 50g of turnips
3. 50g of French beans .
4. 50g peas
5. 125ml of mayonnaise or yoghurt
6. Salt and pepper to taste
7. 1 tea spoon of vinaigrette

Method

• Peel and wash the carrots and turnips and dice them (1⁄2 cm).
• Cook separately in salted water, refresh and drain well.
• Top and tail the beans and cut in 1/2 cm dice, cook, refresh and drain well.
• Cook the peas, refresh and drain well.
• Mix all the well-drained vegetables with mayonnaise or yoghurt.
• Correct seasoning and dress neatly.

6.2: Mineral deficiency

When a body lacks minerals, we call this deficiency. Mineral condition, mineral deficiencies can lead to a variety of health problems, such as weak bones, fatigue, or a decreased immune system. No single food will provide all the mineral salts in your body but a good mixture of foods in a diet will supply all the mineral salts in sufficient amounts. The common mineral salts usually lacking in a diet are calcium and iron and iodine.

Figure 6.1: Deficiency of Calcium

Activity 6.4 Researching about symptoms of mineral deficiency

1. Visit the nearby health centre/ hospital and find out whether there are any people suffering from any nutritional deficiencies.

2. Interact with the medical officer/nurse to find out the deficiency and the symptoms of those particular diseases related to mineral deficiency.

3. Research using the library books, and internet for any other effects of mineral deficiency and present this to the class.

6.3: Plan a diet to cater for common mineral intake imbalances in the body

After looking at the different sources of mineral salts you can make a good mixture of those foods to cater for the imbalances. A meal for a person with inadequate calcium would have plenty of milk, vegetables and fish with soft bones. Some examples of meals rich in mineral salts are:

Breakfast

(i) A cup of milk

(ii) Bread sandwich with an egg and salad leaves.

(iii) A slice of pawpaw

Lunch/dinner

(i) Creamed irish potatoes

(iii) Pineapple drink

(iii) Mixed vegetable salad

(iv) Fish in tomato sauce

Activity 6.5 Planning a meal to cater for an imbalance in calcium and iron in a five year old child

In groups plan atleast one meal(lunch or breakfast) for the above child.

Did you know that the status of your body may determine the nutrient uptake? It may be different when you are sick. Also one’s age group determines the amount of minerals absorbed in the body. Even one’s physical status determines how much mineral elements are needed in the body. The form in which the mineral element is, may influence the absorption of the mineral salt.

Activity 6.6 Explaining differences in the absorption of mineral salts in the body

Design a leaflet for parents or caretakers which explains the (variations) differences in mineral salt absorption in a body.

6.4: Effects of imbalanced intake of minerals in the body and their management

Figure 6.2: Imbalanced intake of minerals in the body

Activity 6.7 Managing different conditions of mineral imbalances in the body

Explain how you would manage the different conditions that arise from failure to take the right amounts of minerals like calcium, iron and iodine in the body.