Calcium – What is it, Importance and Care!
- In the skeleton, the “storage” where 95% of the calcium in the cells is stored;
- In the blood, where it circulates to the cells and organs that need it.
Our bodies cannot manufacture calcium , so all of it comes from food (or supplements). In addition to milk , cabbage is also one of the most remembered foods when it comes to the amount of this nutrient.
Traditional accompaniment to feijoada, cabbage should also be present in the most varied preparations – this is because the vegetable provides essential nutrients for health. Among them, the high concentration of calcium stands out , important for the maintenance of bones.
Cabbage has a good amount of magnesium and calcium and, together, they work to improve sleep and help with weight loss. When associated with Vitamin D , they also contribute to bone health. According to nutritionists, the recommended daily amounts of calcium for adults are 800g, for pregnant women 1200mg and 1500mg for menopausal women .
The Importance of Calcium: In the human body, 99% of calcium is stored in bones and teeth. Along with Phosphorus , it is an important structural component. The 1% that remains is involved in blood clotting, in regulating the heartbeat – therefore, it helps to control blood pressure – and in the transmission of nerve impulses between neurons.
Abundant Mineral in Cabbage: When talking about a source of calcium , what inevitably comes to mind is Milk – a drink rich in the mineral. However, what few people know is that Cabbage also leaves nothing to be desired, that its amount of calcium is equivalent to that of Milk . Milk and its derivatives represent the best known and most abundant sources of calcium .
Vegetables such as kale , arugula , watercress , broccoli and cauliflower seem to be the best sources of vegetable calcium . Studies show that the absorbable portion of Kale is greater than that of Milk , requiring four 65g servings of Kale to equal the amount of calcium in 240ml Milk .
Substitute: Milk is an excellent source of calcium , but the whole version loses to Cabbage in terms of the amount of fat. Therefore, always prefer semi-skimmed or skimmed versions. Another problem that can occur with the consumption of milk is the intolerance of some people to lactose (sugar present in milk ), making it impossible for them to enjoy this source of the mineral.
To replace the drink, Cabbage is a great option. The increasing occurrence of intolerances developed by the reduction of the lactase enzyme, such as the food joys of milk protein , the increase in mineral needs and hyperproteic diets (rich in proteins) are leading to the search for alternative dietary sources to calcium Studies have proven that Cabbage is a great option for this.
Some Cautions: When opting for vegetablesources of calcium such as Cabbage , it is important to be aware of the consumption of foods that inhibit the absorption of calcium by the body. A relevant factor in relation to plant sources of calcium is the presence of the so-called anti-nutritional, such as phytates and oxalates, substances that make calcium insoluble. Oxalate, the most potent inhibitor of calcium absorption , is present in spinach , sweet potatoes and beans , therefore, it is necessary to consume the mineral ‘away’ from these foods.
Other Sources of Calcium: