Tag: Mineral digestion

A 2022 review from the National Institutes of Health clarifies that minerals are not broken down during digestion, unlike carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. This reveals the fundamental truth that humans don't digest minerals, but rather absorb them in their elemental forms to be used for vital bodily functions.

Over 79% of food fortification cases reported to poison control centers involve iron, sparking concern about its forms. But **can humans digest iron filings**? The answer depends entirely on the form and quantity of the iron, with small, specially prepared filings in fortified foods being processed differently than large, raw metallic pieces.

The human body typically absorbs only a fraction of ingested calcium, with efficiency ranging from about 25% for a typical adult to as high as 60% in infants. Understanding **how is calcium digested and absorbed?** is crucial for anyone looking to optimize their intake and support strong bones throughout life.