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What Is Manganese? Why Is It Important?
A trace mineral, manganese is found mostly in the bones, kidneys, liver, and pancreas. The mineral helps the body form the connective tissue, bones, and sex hormones. It also plays an important role in calcium absorption and blood sugar regulation in addition to aiding carbohydrate and fat metabolism. The mineral is also necessary for optimal brain and nerve function (1). It even helps prevent osteoporosis and inflammation. More importantly, manganese is vital for numerous bodily functions like the production of digestive enzymes, nutrient absorption, immune system defenses, and even bone development. Well, that is why the mineral is important. But you must know if you are getting enough of this mineral. Are you?
Are You Getting Enough Of Manganese?
A deficiency of manganese can lead to the following symptoms:
anemia hormonal imbalances low immunity changes in digestion and appetite infertility weak bones chronic fatigue syndrome
There are no set recommended dietary allowances for manganese that have been established. Which is why we look at another guide, called the Adequate Intake (AI) – which is the estimated amount of the nutrient consumed by a group of healthy people and assumed to be adequate (2). That’s the recommended adequate intake of the mineral. What if you aren’t getting the required dosage? That’s when you walk straight into your kitchen.
What Are The Foods High In Manganese?
Some of the richest sources of manganese are:
Oats Wheat Pecans Soybeans Rye Barley Quinoa Garlic Cloves Brown rice
1. Oats
Serving size – 1 cup (156 g) Manganese – 7.7 milligrams DV% – 383 Apart from being one of the richest sources of manganese, oats also enjoy the reputation of being rich in antioxidants and the super-fiber, beta-glucan – which may help prevent and treat metabolic syndrome and obesity (3). Oats are one of the healthiest breakfast options and play a role in lowering blood cholesterol levels and improving heart health.
How To Include In Your Diet
Have a bowl of oats for breakfast. You can also add fruits to make your morning meal far more nutritious.
2. Wheat
Serving size – 1 1/2 cups (168 grams) Manganese – 5.7 milligrams DV% – 286 Here, we mean whole wheat and not the refined variety. Whole wheat also contains a whole lot of fiber that regulates blood sugar and blood pressure levels and works great for heart and abdominal health. Whole wheat also contains lutein, an antioxidant important for eye health.
How To Include In Your Diet
Have whole wheat bread toast for breakfast. Add peanut butter and probably a bowl of fruit for extra benefits.
3. Pecans
Serving size – 1 cup, chopped (109 grams) Manganese – 4.9 milligrams DV% – 245% They are rich in B vitamins too, which boost brain function and enhance cell metabolism.These vitamins also help form red blood cells (4).
How To Include In Your Diet
You can have a handful of raw almonds in the morning along with your breakfast. Or add chopped almonds to your evening smoothie.
4. Soybeans
Serving size – 1 cup (186 grams) Manganese – 4.7 milligrams DV% – 234 In addition to manganese, soybeans are also an excellent source of plant-based protein. Soy protein intake has been linked to a modest decrease in cholesterol levels (5). Soybeans also contain decent amounts of soluble and insoluble fibers, which improve gut health and can even prevent grave ailments like colon cancer.
How To Include In Your Diet
You can add textured soy protein to soups and stews. However, keep your soybean intake in check if you have thyroid issues (especially hypothyroidism) as soy has been found to reduce thyroid functioning (6).
5. Rye
Serving size – 1 cup (169 grams) Manganese – 4.5 milligrams DV% – 226 Rye is often quoted to be better than wheat in terms of the overall health benefits. It is also higher in fiber than wheat, making it better in controlling appetite and inflammation. Also, rye flour contains less gluten than whole wheat flour – and can be more beneficial for gluten-intolerant individuals. The insoluble fiber in rye also reduces the risk of gallstones (7).
How To Include In Your Diet
You can include rye bread in your breakfast. Rye is also available as rye flakes, which can be included in your morning smoothie.
6. Barley
Serving size – 1 cup (184 grams) Manganese – 3.6 milligrams DV% – 179 Other minerals barley is rich in are selenium, niacin, and iron – vital for body functioning. Barley is also a good source of fiber, the benefits of which you already know. Barley also contains antioxidants called lignans, which are often linked to a lower risk of cancer and heart disease – as they help reduce inflammation, which is one of the causes of these ailments.
How To Include In Your Diet
One of the best ways is including barley in your evening soup. You can also cook some barley and have it along with a splash of milk and some honey for breakfast (works much better with oatmeal).
7. Quinoa
Serving size – 1 cup (170 grams) Manganese – 3.5 milligrams DV% – 173 It is gluten-free and high in protein, which makes it one of the most popular health foods on the planet. In fact, just to give you a perspective of its reputation – NASA has considered quinoa to be a suitable crop to be grown in outer space, given its high nutrient content and ease of cultivation and use (8).
How To Include In Your Diet
The simplest way to add quinoa to your diet is by boiling it in water (with a pinch of salt, preferably). But ensure you rinse it with water first to get rid of the saponins (compounds found in the outer layer that can impart a bitter flavor).
8. Garlic
Serving size – 1 cup (136 grams) Manganese – 2.3 milligrams DV% – 114 Most of the beneficial stuff from garlic can be attributed to the compound allicin. This compound travels to all parts of the body, exerting its potent biological effects. Garlic can combat sickness and the common cold. It may regulate cholesterol levels and protect the heart.
How To Include In Your Diet
You can simply have 1 to 2 cloves of garlic in the evening or along with your lunch or dinner.
9. Cloves
Serving size – 1 tablespoon (6 grams) Manganese – 2 milligrams DV% – 98 Clove is probably also spelled A-Y-U-R-V-E-D-A. Often used in Ayurvedic medicines, clove also possesses antifungal, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties. It is also a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. Cloves might help temporarily reduce the intensity of a toothache. They can also reduce inflammation and enhance digestion.
How To Include In Your Diet
You can simply chew on a raw clove. Or add a few cloves to steamed rice preparations.
10. Brown Rice
Serving size – 1 cup (195 grams) Manganese – 1.8 milligrams DV% – 88 Several studies have linked the consumption of brown rice to a decrease in bad cholesterol levels. The rice also cuts the risk of cancers of the colon, breast, and prostate. Adequate intake of brown rice also aids diabetes treatment as the rice helps cut blood sugar levels too.
How To Include In Your Diet
You can substitute white rice with brown rice in your everyday rice preparations.
11. Garbanzo Beans (Or Chickpeas)
Serving size – 1 cup (164 grams) Manganese – 1.7 milligrams DV% – 84 Thanks to their high fiber content, garbanzo beans enhance satiety and digestion. The beans also balance unhealthy cholesterol levels and protect against heart disease. And yes, just like soybeans, they are a great source of plant-based protein.
How To Include In Your Diet
You can add the beans to your evening soup and up its nutritional content.
12. Pineapple
Serving size – 1 cup, chunks (165 grams) Manganese – 1.5 milligrams DV% – 76 Pineapples are also a rich source of vitamin C, the nutrient that improves immunity and combats lethal ailments like cancer. And their high fiber and water content promotes regularity in bowel movement and improves the health of the digestive tract. The vitamin C in the fruit also improves skin health – it protects the skin from sun and pollution and helps reduce wrinkles and fine lines.
How To Include In Your Diet
You can add some pineapple slices to your evening salad. You might also want to add the fruit to your favorite kebabs.
13. Tofu
Serving size – 1/2 cup (126 grams) Manganese – 1.5 milligrams DV% – 74 Tofu is made of soybean curd, which makes it naturally gluten-free and low in calories. With negligible cholesterol, tofu is also an excellent source of calcium and iron. It has been found that consuming tofu instead of animal protein can lower the levels of bad cholesterol, consequently preventing heart disease.
How To Include In Your Diet
You can add cubes of firm tofu to soups – they can simmer just like meat does. You can also stir fry it and have for breakfast.
14. Raspberries
Serving size – 1 cup (123 grams) Manganese – 0.8 milligrams DV% – 41 Apart from manganese, raspberries are also rich in ellagic acid, a phytochemical that may help prevent cancer. Raspberries also contain anthocyanins, antioxidants that prevent heart disease and age-related mental decline (9).
How To Include In Your Diet
Include raspberries in your evening fruit salad. You can even have them in your breakfast smoothie. Adding raspberries to yogurt is also a wonderful idea.
15. Corn
Serving size – 1 cup (166 grams) Manganese – 0.8 milligrams DV% – 40 Corn is also a good source of protein. And it contains more antioxidants than most other common cereal grains – a couple of those antioxidants are lutein and zeaxanthin, both of which are important for vision health.
How To Include In Your Diet
You can boil corn and have it as a healthy evening snack.
16. Beet Greens
Serving size – 1 cup, 1” pieces (144 grams) Manganese – 0.7 milligrams DV% – 37 Beet greens are also rich in vitamins A and K. Vitamin A plays a role in good vision, ideal skin health, and even enhanced immunity. Vitamin K controls the clotting factors of your blood. Beet greens are also rich in vitamin C that acts as a coenzyme to synthesize amino acids. And yes, vitamin C, as we know, also builds immunity and skin health.
How To Include In Your Diet
Add beet greens to your vegetable salad.
17. Bananas
Serving size – 1 cup, mashed (225 grams) Manganese – 0.6 milligrams DV% – 30 Bananas are loaded with potassium, a mineral that helps lower blood pressure and eventually wards off several serious diseases like heart attack. And the dietary fiber in bananas improves digestive health. Interestingly, bananas might also improve the health of your kidneys (10).
How To Include In Your Diet
Eating the whole fruit is the best way. You can have one whole fruit in the night before bedtime (it induces sleep). You can also add chopped bananas to your breakfast smoothie.
18. Strawberries
Serving size – 1 cup, halves (152 grams) Manganese – 0.6 milligrams DV% – 29 The anthocyanins in strawberries protect the heart from disease. These antioxidants may inhibit tumor growth and inflammation and aid cancer prevention. Also, being a low glycemic index food and high in fiber, strawberries are also good to prevent diabetes.
How To Include In Your Diet
Eat the fruit as it is as a part of your evening snack. Or include some of the berries in your salad. Even better, add chopped strawberries to yogurt and consume it before hitting the bed or in the morning for breakfast.
19. Kale
Serving size – 1 cup, chopped (67 grams) Manganese – 0.5 milligrams DV% – 26 Kale is rich in manganese, but its most beneficial property lies in its ability to fight inflammation. It also is a natural detoxifier – it helps remove toxins from the body.
How To Include In Your Diet
Raw kale can be added to your evening vegetable salad. You can also have it roasted or sautéed.
20. Turmeric
Serving size – 1 tablespoon (7 grams) Manganese – 0.5 milligrams DV% – 26 Turmeric needs no introduction. Time and again, science has been backing it up for its wondrous properties. The curcumin in turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory that may prevent cancer and arthritis. The spice also increases the antioxidant capacity of the body, along with improving brain health and protecting against numerous neural issues.
How To Include In Your Diet
Adding a pinch of turmeric to the dishes you prepare can do wonders. You can also mix half a teaspoon of turmeric in milk and drink it before going to bed.
21. Black Pepper
Serving size – 1 tablespoon (6 grams) Manganese – 0.4 milligrams DV% – 18 Firstly, black pepper improves the absorption of turmeric. Hence, taking both together can give you the best of both the foods. And a higher dose of manganese. Black pepper is also rich in potassium that improves intestinal health and digestibility. And yes – the outer layer of black peppercorns is known to break down fat cells. So, if you have weight loss goals in mind, you can include black pepper in your routine.
How To Include In Your Diet
You can simply add black pepper to your food preparations, whether it is for breakfast or lunch or dinner. The pepper goes especially well with hot foods.
22. Pumpkin Seeds
Serving size – 1 cup (64 grams) Manganese – 0.3 milligrams DV% – 16 In other words, pumpkin seeds are a nutritional powerhouse coming in a small package. The seeds also may help prevent certain forms of cancer – including that of the stomach, breast, prostate, lung, and colon (12). In addition to manganese, pumpkin seeds are also rich in magnesium – the mineral required for more than 600 chemical reactions in the body.
How To Include In Your Diet
You can make your own pumpkin seed butter by blending the raw seeds in a food processor. Spread this butter on your breakfast toast. You can also add these seeds to a salad to make it crunchier.
23. Spinach
Serving size – 1 cup (30 grams) Manganese – 0.3 milligrams DV% – 13 There is a reason Popeye relied on spinach, big time. Spinach also contains antioxidants that relieve oxidative stress and fight free radicals. And then, we have lutein and zeaxanthin, two antioxidants in spinach that are important for vision health.
How To Include In Your Diet
Spinach can make a wonderful addition to your evening vegetable salad.
24. Turnip Greens
Serving size – 1 cup, chopped (55 grams) Manganese – 0.3 milligrams DV% – 13 Turnip greens are also rich in iron, one nutrient that prevents hair loss and keeps the body functions happening optimally. These greens also help keep anemia at bay. Turnip greens are also rich in vitamin K, which helps prevent osteoporosis.
How To Include In Your Diet
Salad is one great way. You can also add the greens in sandwiches or wraps.
25. Green Beans
Serving size – 1 cup (110 grams) Manganese – 0.2 milligrams DV% – 12 Green beans are also rich in iron, and the nutrient, apart from preventing hair loss, also improves fertility in women. And a quick tip – you can take iron-rich foods with foods rich in vitamin C as the latter improves the absorption of the former.
How To Include In Your Diet
You can usually eat green beans raw. Or you can top fresh green beans with marinara sauce and sprinkle with Romano cheese – it makes for a healthy evening snack. Those are the top foods high in manganese. But why just foods? Even supplements work well, right? Or do they?
What About Manganese Supplements? Any Good Brands?
A supplement is necessary only when you are not getting enough of a particular nutrient through food. Remember, it is a supplement. Not a substitute. And if you are not getting enough of a particular nutrient, a supplement is a good way to bridge the deficiency. The sooner, the better. Manganese supplements are generally safe. But be careful about the intake. Doses of manganese higher than 11 milligrams a day can cause serious complications. Some of these include neurological issues, muscle tremors, loss of balance and coordination, and bradykinesia (difficulty starting or completing movements). Excess manganese can also cause allergies like itching, rashes, or hives. Also, people with liver problems need to exercise caution before taking manganese supplements – an unhealthy liver removes manganese from the blood more slowly than that of a healthy one. Do consult your doctor or nutritionist before going for the supplements. And talking about the brands – it is best you go by what your personal health care provider suggests. They would know your condition better. And now, to the big question.
How To Increase Your Manganese Intake?
We have a simple answer. Include the above-listed foods in your diet. And just in case you have more concerns…
Any Interactions With Manganese One Must Know About?
Manganese might interact with antibiotics. The mineral can decrease how much antibiotic the body absorbs. This can be especially true if you take manganese along with antibiotic medication. A few such antibiotics include Cipro, Penetrex, Noroxin, Zagam, Raxar, and Trovan. Other antibiotics (or tetracyclines) that manganese can interact with include Declomycin, Minocin, and Achromycin. Are eggs high in manganese? No. Eggs contain about 0.028 mg of manganese per 100g (11). Does green tea contain manganese? No. Green tea contains about 0.184 mg of manganese per 100g (12). What are the symptoms of too much manganese? Manganese toxicity may lead to nervous disorders that seem like Parkinson’s disease. Common symptoms include cardiovascular and respiratory difficulties, postural deficiencies, shuffling gait, and speech difficulties (13). Does boiling water remove manganese? No. The boiling process does not affect manganese. Nevertheless, boiling may cause some water to evaporate, concentrating the manganese levels.
