Description

Magnesium is a mineral that's crucial in performing various body functions. It is one of seven essential macrominerals. It’s involved in hundreds of chemical reactions in your body and helps you maintain good health. Magnesium is widely distributed in plant and animal foods and in beverages. Green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, are good sources. In general, foods containing dietary fiber provide magnesium. Magnesium is also added to some breakfast cereals and other fortified foods.

Health benefits

• Magnesium may improve bone health both directly and indirectly, as it helps to regulate calcium and vitamin D levels, which are two other nutrients vital for bone health. ⁽¹⁾
• The body needs magnesium to maintain the health of muscles, including the heart. Some research also suggests that magnesium plays a role in hypertension. Increasing magnesium intake may lower a person’s risk of stroke. ⁽¹⁾
• Magnesium may also play a role in premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Studies suggest that taking magnesium supplements along with vitamin B-6 can improve PMS symptoms. ⁽¹⁾
• Diets with higher amounts of magnesium are associated with a significantly lower risk of diabetes, possibly because of the important role of magnesium in glucose metabolism. ⁽²⁾