Why is sulfur so important to our health? What are its benefits and in which food is it most present?
In today’s article, we will find out the answers to all these questions.
Why sulfur is important for our body
It is very interesting to note that sulfur is believed or not to be the third most common in our body, as a percentage of total body weight.
Sulfur is also the sixth most abundant mineral in breast milk by volume.
This important mineral has a direct impact on energy metabolism.
With the help of sulfur, for example, the liver removes alcohol much easier, as well as removing various toxins and chemicals from our body.
With a normal amount of sulfur in our body, we enable the better function of the connective tissues, muscles, and nervous system.
As for its daily recommended dose, sulfur does not cause any major side effects or toxicity.
However, a daily intake of about 1 gram of sulfur is recommended.
Primarily because of its benefits for our body, which we will discuss later in today’s article.
Foods rich in sulfur
Foods rich in sulfur are eggs, red meat, chicken, fish, vegetables, milk, and dairy products.
As for vegans, they satisfy their sulfur intake by consuming products such as soy, seeds, nuts, and cereals.
Sulfur in vegetables
Vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, asparagus, kale, cabbage, and others contain excellent amounts of sulfur substances known as glucosinolates.
All these vegetables have a characteristic smell and slightly bitter taste.
Processing glucosinolates become compounds known as isothiocyanates and indoles, which have potential anticancer properties that are still being investigated.
Sulfur is a sulfur compound that in the mentioned vegetables has a very important property to reduce oxidative stress.
Sulfur in meat
Meat is rich in proteins that are necessary not only for bodybuilding, skin, and hair, meat is also a good source of sulfur.
Specifically, these are two sulfur amino acids present in meat, cysteine , and methionine. They are a source of sulfur for our body.
The meat, depending on its processing, provides us with between 166-395 mg of sulfur in 100 grams.
We should emphasize that game meat, as well as lamb, are a very good source of sulfur.
Eggs as a source of sulfur
Eggs are a healthy dietary option, which is why we consume them daily.
We often hear that 2 eggs are a great substitute for 100 grams of meat.
Eggs are a rich source of protein, but also of sulfur, especially here the egg white stands out.
For example, one boiled egg contains approximately 190 mg of methionine and 35 mg of cysteine.
100 grams of egg white contains about 182 mg of sulfur, and the same amount of yolk contains about 164 mg of sulfur.
Egg white is certainly a healthier part of the egg because the yolk can cause an increase in cholesterol levels in the body.
Dairy products are an important link for sulfur intake
Milk and dairy products are important sources of sulfur amino acids.
For example, different types of cheese provide us with between 186 and 321 mg of sulfur per 100 grams.
Milk is also a good source of sulfur but in smaller quantities.
For example, a glass of milk provides about 200 mg of methionine and about 50 mg of cysteine.
Sexually, we should mention that by heating the milk, many of these ingredients are lost, especially in pasteurized milk.
Sulfur in fish and seafood
Seafood, which includes many species of fish and seafood, is an excellent source of methionine and cysteine.
For example, if you take the samples for example they contain between 171 and 270 mg of sulfur per 100 grams of fish.
Mussels are an even better source of sulfur as they contain between 265 and 401 mg of sulfur per 100 grams.
Other properties of sulfur
Sulfur misses a number of benefits that can help us improve our health.
These include:
- Improves the quality of our skin
- successfully lowers cholesterol
- improves the cardiovascular system
- reduces muscle pain
- possesses excellent anticancer properties
- has a very beneficial effect on brain function
Signs of sulfur deficiency
As we have already said, the recommended daily dose of sulfur is about 1 gram.
How do you know if you have a sulfur deficiency in your body?
The following symptoms are most common:
- Arthritis
- acne
- brittle nails
- depression
- immune dysfunction
- memory problems
- pneumonia
- slow wound healing
Conclusion
Sulfur is the third most abundant mineral in our body.
With sulfur, we get many benefits for our bodies and health.
It helps lower cholesterol, improves skin, reduces muscle soreness, has anti-cancer properties, and more.
In the diet, it is mostly present in vegetables, fish, dairy products, eggs, and more.
The daily dose needed by our body is about 1 gram.
Sulfur deficiency can cause arthritis, acne, depression, lung problems, and other health problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sulfur in food bad for you?
Sulfur is very useful for our health, of course, if consumed in normal amounts of 1 gram.
Do eggs contain sulfur?
Eggs are one of the best sources of sulfur in the diet, along with fish, dairy products, and vegetables.
