Why is it so important for our bodies? Our nutrition expert Prof. Nicolai Worm provides the answers.
Necessary for energy metabolism Involved in digestion. Aids digestion. Important for transmission of nerve impulses.
Ensures healthy bones, teeth and muscles. Important for blood circulation
Adults: 800 mg. Increased requirement for adults over 50 years of age, pregnant and breast-feeding women: up to 1,200 mg.
Calcium is a mineral and its chemical designation is Ca2+. It must be consumed daily as the body cannot produce it.
Calcium is quantitatively the most represented mineral in the body. 99% of calcium is stored in bones and teeth (approx. 1 kg).
All minerals play important roles in your body. However, calcium has several particularly important roles. 99 percent of calcium (approx. 1kg) is stored in your skeleton – it is quantitatively the most important mineral in your bones and teeth enamel. It also plays an important role in blood clotting, digestion, transmission of impulses through the nerves and energy metabolism, all of which make calcium a true all-rounder mineral for a healthy body.
Your body cannot produce calcium and so you need to consume it daily via food and beverages. For the average adult, the recommended daily calcium requirement is 800 mg per day. Children and adolescents need somewhat more while they are growing. Both pregnant and breast-feeding women also have a higher requirement. For these groups, a daily calcium intake of up to 1,200 mg is recommended. It is recommended that calcium intake should not exceed 1,500 mg of calcium per day.
In addition to mineral water, milk and dairy products in particular, but also several types of vegetables, such as broccoli, kale and fennel are considered to be good suppliers of calcium. These food products are, however, increasingly being neglected, deliberately avoided (too high fat content or due to the caloric content) or not tolerated (intolerance). The consequence: according to a national consumption study, the recommended daily intake is often not attained due to an unbalanced diet (Source: Max Rubner Institute (ed.), National Consumption Study II, Evaluation Report, Karlsruhe 2008)
Your body absorbs more calcium when it is consumed in small amounts over time, so drinking mineral water throughout your day can increase your daily consumption. Another bonus is because mineral water’s nutrients are already dissolved; your body more readily absorbs them. Numerous studies have shown that the bioavailability of calcium from mineral water is just as good as that from milk. In fact, several studies indicate that mineral water is a better calcium source. Mineral water is an ideal source of calcium for those who are lactose intolerant and as mineral water is calorie-free, it is also ideal for those on a calorie-controlled diet
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A sporty woman wearing a turquoise shirt is listening to music while jogging: GlobalStock / iStockphotos, Mann mit Bücherstapel (Hochformat): GlobalStock / iStockphoto
