Summary
Besides proteins, carbohydrates and fats as primary sources of energy, minerals, vitamins and water form the second class of food components. As with the three main sources of energy, there can be a shortage of minerals with associated symptoms. It is important to differentiate between an absolute deficiency due to undersupply as a result of reduced intake and a relative deficiency, which can occur, for example, in situations of increased demand while the intake remains constant and is normally sufficient.
It is important to know that minerals belong to the essential food components. Essential food components (vitamins, minerals, some amino acids and some fatty acids) cannot be produced by the body itself. However, since they take over important functions in the human body’s metabolism, they must be supplied to it from outside.
The most important minerals are iron, iodine, copper, zinc, calcium, potassium, magnesium and sodium. In principle, a balanced mineral balance can be achieved quite well with mineral-containing drinks in combination with a balanced diet. In this context, the quantities indicated on the respective bottles must be observed.
