Boron – Uses, Benefits, Sources
Boron is a mineral that is found in food such as nuts and the environment. Boron is used for building strong bones, treating osteoarthritis, as an aid for building muscles and increasing testosterone levels, and for improving thinking skills and muscle coordination.
People take boron supplements as medicine. Women sometimes use capsules containing boric acid, the most common form of boron, inside the vagina to treat yeast infections.
Health Benefits Of Boron
Research suggests that boron is involved in vitamin D and estrogen metabolism and may influence cognitive function. In alternative medicine, boron supplements are sometimes said to help with bone mineral density and prevent and/or treat the following health problems:
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Menopausal symptoms
- Osteoarthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Psoriasis
Important Sources Of Boron
Your body doesn’t produce boron on its own. But the good news is, there are many foods you can add to your diet to increase your intake of boron such as:
Raisins, 4.51 mg of Boron/ 100 g
In addition to being potassium-rich, raisins are high in fiber, magnesium, and iron.
Almonds, 2.82 mg of Boron/ 100 g
Almonds are full of boron, magnesium, and phosphorus. Plus, almonds contain a lot of calcium! So almonds are excellent for us on THIS life journey. They help build and maintain strong teeth and bones.
Raw Cashew Nuts, 1.15 mg of Boron/ 100 g
Never mind the fat content– the nutrition in cashews more than makes up for it. Significant amounts of calcium, magnesium, and potassium all help to prevent bone loss. Yet, even more, minerals like calcium, together with vitamin K, help shield you against bone fractures and osteoporosis.
Hazelnuts, 2.77 mg of Boron/ 100 g
First Nations people in North America have a rich tradition of healing with nuts, berries, and roots. It’s said that they would brew tea with hazelnuts to treat hives and fever. Rich in magnesium, hazelnuts also increase bone mass. So they can contribute to osteoporosis prevention and treatment.
Peanut Butter, 1.92 mg of Boron/ 100 g
Unsweetened, low-salt peanut butter is your friend. Full of vitamin E (an antioxidant), magnesium (good for bones), potassium (good for muscles), vitamin B6 (good for immunity), and more. Eating 2 tablespoons a day might even reduce the risk of diabetes and other chronic diseases by almost 30%!
Dried Apricots, 2.11 mg of Boron/ 100 g
During the drying process, some vitamins such as vitamin C are lost. But the GREAT news is that other nutrients become more concentrated (proteins and minerals, including calcium and zinc for your bones). Eat this dried fruit and you’ll get 4x more energy than from fresh fruit. Be careful not to eat too much, as it expands in your tummy.
Dates, 1.08 mg of Boron/ 100 g
Dried dates are chewy, sweet and oh so healthy! Use dried dates in baking instead of refined sugar. They are just as sweet, tastier, and create awesome texture. They’re good on their own too. More exciting is the high amount of minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and more. Excellent for your bones and even bowel movements!
Side Effects Of High Intake Of Boron
Side effects of boron include:
- Blue/green discoloration of feces
- Dermatitis
- Diarrhea
- Upper abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Rare side effects of boron include:
Renal impairment (high dose)
Conclusion
Boron can have a slight impact on your testosterone levels, and you may very well notice some differences. But it’s less likely that you’ll see any changes in symptoms of ED.
It doesn’t hurt to try as long as you follow the suggested dosing guidelines. Talk to a healthcare provider about other possible treatments, both natural or medical, for symptoms of low testosterone levels or ED.
