What is food mineral?

Minerals are inorganic elements that originate in the earth and cannot be made in the body. They play important roles in various bodily functions and are necessary to sustain life and maintain optimal health, and thus are essential nutrients.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Minerals in corn

Corn kernels are composed of four distinct parts: endosperm, germ, pericarp and tip cap. Corn kernels contains a total of 1.1 to 3.9% minerals. The endosperm contains about 0.3% while the germ contains about 10% minerals.

Corn is high in potassium (0.38%) and provides a significant amount of phosphorus (0.2%). Other include magnesium (0.17%), sulfur (0.14%) and calcium (0.03%) are the major dietary minerals present in corn kernel.

Corn has very low sodium content which is helpful to persons on a low sodium diet. Corn contains good amounts of iron, important for healthy blood, and magnesium, which helps regulate blood pressure and play a role in nerve and muscle function.

About 75% o the total phosphorus is present in the form of phytic acid, and exists probably as the trimagnesium salt.

The variability in minerals content of corn caused by growing conditions, soil fertility, and storage makes these differences in nutrient content of minimal significance to nutritionists.
Minerals in corn

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