We eat food not only to ease our appetite but also to keep our body healthy. The food that we eat has a number of vital nutrients which benefit our body in one or the other way. Minerals and vitamins are also part of a healthy diet. Calcium is also one of the many minerals that we consume. Though taken in very small quantity, it forms an important constituent of our daily diet. Calcium provides following benefits to our body.

Calcium is naturally present in our bones and teeth.  It increases bone density and strengthens the bones. If adequate amount of calcium is not present in the body, the bones will become fragile. Bones will become more prone to accidents leading to frequent fractures, even in case of minor injuries or pressure on bones. Calcium deficiency gradually leads to joint pains and muscular cramps. In children, its deficiency can cause softening of bones eventually causing rickets. Osteoporosis in women is common among women advancing towards menopause. They also require taking in more calcium to avoid the condition.

Apart from being good for the bones, calcium is a benefactor in many other ways. Calcium is also important for maintaining the proper functioning of heart and blood vessels. It keeps the blood pressure under control. A number of dental problems can be avoided by regular intake of calcium as it makes teeth and gums stronger. Taking calcium in required amounts also reduces the risk of colon cancer and development of polyps causing colon cancer in the body.

Recommended Intake Of Calcium For Different Age Groups:

Men and women aged between 9 and 18 years à 1,300 mg

Men and women aged between 19 and 50 years à 1,000 mg

Men and women aged 51 and over à 1,200 mg

Calcium is available in the form of supplements or tablets. Some food items rich in calcium are Swiss cheese, almond, cheddar cheese, parsley, brewer’s yeast, pumpkin seeds milk, and cooked dried beans. Many people even prefer having coral calcium or calcium carbonate as it also prevents acidity in stomach. It contains 40% calcium which is readily absorbed in the bloodstream. Chewable calcium tablets and liquid calcium supplements are also available for children. Taken in any form, adequate amount of calcium should be taken in the diet by enriching our diet with calcium rich supplements.