8 Foods You Must Have To Prevent Zinc Deficiency

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Zinc is an essential element required in small quantities in the body. It is a component of every cell, bone, organ and tissue of the body and plays a major role in neurological functions, immunity, fertility and overall energy levels of the body.

Why Does the Body Need Zinc

Zinc is also an anti-oxidant and prevents cell damage by oxidation damage.  Zinc is a component of over a hundred enzymes of our bodies that help in various bodily functions. It is also found in the mucous membrane of lungs and throat and has anti-microbial properties.It helps in proper immune function, maintaining skin health, and in promoting sexual health in males and females. Adult males require around 11 mg and females require 8 mg per day.

What Are The Symptoms Of Zinc Deficiency

Some symptoms of zinc deficiency are low energy, chronic fatigue, decreased immunity, inability to focus, slow wound healing, white marks on nails, thinning hair, acne and ringing in ears. Pregnant and lactating women are especially at higher risk of zinc deficiency.

How Can Zinc Deficiency Be Prevented?

The best way to prevent zinc deficiency is to add foods that are rich in zinc. As part of natural intake, zinc can be found in high quantities in sea fishes and dark meats. Vegetarians need to be conscious to include other sources of zinc like chickpeas and spinach in their diets. Given below are some common food items and their zinc content:

1 . Pumpkin Seeds

½ cup pumpkin seeds can give you 8.4 mg of zinc. For vegetarian eaters this is a great option which tops the list with Zinc forming 57% of the Dietary value of pumpkin seeds.  It can be a great healthy snacking option.

2 . Kidney Beans

Rajma or kidney beans are a great non-meat source of Zinc, which is good news for vegans and vegetarians looking to get the Zinc requirements met They can be eaten as a side dish by themselves or added to any entree to boost fiber intake and add additional protein. Serving Size (100 grams), Zinc (2.79 milligrams), 127 calories.

3 . Egg Yolk

Egg yolks contain a good zinc content besides containing  all the vitamins that are in an egg as well. So by eating the yolk you may be getting more fat but you’re also getting Vitamins A, E, D and K, as well as additional amounts of minerals, which more than make up for any potential drawbacks. Serving Size (100 grams), Zinc (4.93 milligrams), 322 calories.

4 . Sea Food

Sea food is known to be  rich source of zinc.Crab meat contains 6.5 mg of zinc in every 8.5 gm. This is a good source of zinc for non-vegetarians.Lobster meat contains 3.4 mg of zinc per 85 gm. They are not so easily available especially for non-coastal areas. For non-vegetarians living in coastal areas this is a good option.

5 . Dark Chocolate

Cocoa present in chocolates especially dark chocolates is a rich source of zinc with 8-9 mg zinc in every 85 gm. So now you have an excuse to sink your teeth into those sinfully tempting packet of chocolates!

6 . Mushrooms

Mushrooms have a good zinc content which makes them an ideal add-on to any meal.. They have a healthy assortment of vitamins and minerals, and several types of mushrooms have been shown to have anti-cancer benefits. Serving Size of Shiitake mushrooms (100 grams), Zinc (7.66 milligrams), 34 calories.

7 . Chickpeas

 Chickpeas are an excellent source of fiber and minerals including zinc. 1 cup of cooked chickpeas can give you 2.5 mg of zinc. In addition to this, chickpeas are high source of protein and fiber.

8 . Sesame Seeds

Sesame seeds are packed with Zinc as well as healthy polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. Those are the good fats that your body needs in order to burn off fat. Add sesame seeds to your salads and desserts or to your breakfast Serving Size (100 grams), Zinc (7.75 milligrams), 573 calories.

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.So, go ahead and add these foods to your daily diet to ensure that you get a daily dose of zinc naturally. Eat Healthy, Stay Healthy!

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