Minerals & Water 2
Food Preparation & Nutrition: AQA GCSE, topic 2.2.4
Minerals - Fluoride and Iodine
Fluoride and iodine are both trace elements, which are types of minerals. We only need very tiny amounts of trace elements.
Fluoride
- We get fluoride from dental products, like mouthwash and toothpaste, as well as some water supplies, seafood and tea.
- The NHS suggests brushing teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste to meet daily requirements.
- We need fluoride to maintain healthy teeth, as fluoride helps to strengthen teeth, fight off tooth decay and harden enamel.
Excess and too little fluoride
- Excess fluoride is poisonous and can cause discoloured teeth, cancer as well as problems with bones.
- Not getting enough fluoride can cause teeth and enamel to weaken, eventually leading to tooth decay.
Iodine
- We get iodine from vegetables, dairy products and seafood.
- We need iodine to make certain hormones.
- A serious iodine deficiency can lead to goitre (swelling of the neck) as well as complications in unborn children.
Water
Water makes up a large part of the body. Approximately 60% of the human body consists of water. Water is found in body fluids, like saliva, sweat and blood, as well as body cells.
Why do we need water?
- We need water to:
- Keep skin and mucous membranes healthy.
- Remove waste (for example, for excretion).
- Control our body temperature (for example, through sweating).
- Support digestion.
- Help with chemical reactions in the body.
Sources
- We get water from both food (e.g. milk, meat, fish, eggs, fruits and vegetables) and drinks.
- Water is added to foods too, like soups, pastries and pasta.
Losing water and dehydration
- We lose water from our bodies through breathing, urinating, excreting faeces and sweating.
- Drinking too little water (to make up for water loss) causes dehydration. Dehydration causes:
- Overheating.
- Feeling weak and nauseous.
- Reactions to slow down.
- Confusion.
- Thickening of the blood (it's more difficult for the heart to pump thick blood around the body).
- Change in heart rate and blood pressure.
Quantities
- A person should try to drink around 2 litres of water per day.
- A person should drink more than 2 litres if it's particularly hot or if they're exercising.
Overhydration
- Drinking lots and lots of water in a short space of time can have serious consequences. Symptoms can include:
- Feeling confused or nauseous.
- Headaches.
- Diluting substances in the blood and the body's concentration of nutrients.
- Organ failure (e.g. kidney and heart).
Test yourself on Minerals & Water 2
Which of the following is NOT a trace mineral?
Why do we need fluoride?
Which of the following conditions can be caused by a serious iodine deficiency?
Why do we need water?
According to the NHS, how much water should each person drink on an average day?