Zinc is a trace mineral which is required in small quantities by the body but found in every cell of the body. It is more concentrated in muscles and bones. The semen and prostate gland in men also contain significant amounts of zinc.
10 Reasons to have Zinc in your diet:
1. | Immunity : Help in building immunity |
2. | Good for Skin: It is involved in collagen synthesis and thus helps repair skin. It maintains skin integrity as well as slows the aging process |
3. | Antioxidant: Acts like an antioxidant and fights the harmful free radicals |
4. | Fights Cancer: Acts as anti-inflammatory agent and also aids in fighting cancer |
5. | Hormone Production: Involved in energy metabolism and hormone production including testosterone in males and female sex hormones involved in releasing of egg from the ovaries. |
6. | Pregnancy : It is essential for rapid growth of cells during pregnancy. |
7. | Hair : Promotes hair strength. |
8. | Diabetic Friendly : It helps control diabetes by aiding in blood sugar regulation. |
9. | Good for Heart : It helps reduce inflammation and thus promote heart health. |
10. | Good for Eyes: It is essential to treat night blindness. Zinc helps in the activity of an enzyme in our body that helps produce vitamin A, which is useful in treating night blindness. |
The main symptoms of zinc deficiency are
• Reduce concentration
• Rough skin
• Hair loss
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Fragile bones
• Growth retardation
The RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) for Indians is
Group | RDA for zinc (mg/d) |
---|---|
Adult Man | 12 |
Adult Woman Adult Woman (Pregnant / Lactating) |
10 12 |
Children (1-3 yrs) (4-6 yrs) (7-9 yrs) (10-12 yrs) (13-15 yrs) (16-17 yrs) |
5 7 8 9 11 12 |
The major vegetarian sources of zinc are
1. Pumpkin Seeds are extremely high in Zinc and best eaten raw as roasting them can deplete some of the zinc intake. Also Sesame Seeds are high in Zinc. Try Tahini Paste and Tahini Dip
2. Nuts like Almonds, Cashewnuts, Sesame Seeds, Peanuts and Walnuts.
3. Whole grains like Bajra, Barley, Jowar, Ragi (Nachni), whole wheat etc. Refining leads to loss of zinc. So avoid maida and its products.
4. Pulses like Chick Peas (kabuli chana), chawla, Moong, Rajma Soya etc.
5. Dals like Urad Dal, Chana Dal, Toovar Dal, Masoor Dal etc.
However the grains and pulses have phytates in them which hinder zinc absorption. Hence nuts are a better source of zinc in vegan diets.
For a complete list of Zinc rich foods, see High Zinc Veg Food Sources