Magnesium is a mineral that occurs
in both plant and animal tissue. It is essential as an enzyme activator
and is involved in the formation and maintenance of body protein.
Magnesium plays
an important role in regulating the neuromuscular activity of the heart
by maintaining normal heart rhythm. Magnesium is also necessary for proper
calcium & Vitamin C metabolism by converting blood sugar into energy.
A deficiency of magnesium may result in calcium depletion, heart spasms,
nervousness, muscular excitability, mental confusion, and/or the formation
of kidney stones.
The lists of
plants following are two kinds: quantitative and alphabetical. The quantitative
list presents plants and plant products containing significant amounts
of the nutrient involved, in approximate order from highest to lowest content
for a given weight. Plants marked with an asterisk (*) contain significantly
more of the nutrient than do the unmarked plants. Those marked with a double
asterisk (**) contain considerably more than those with a single asterisk.
Unless otherwise noted, all items are fresh and unprocessed. Dried fruits
are often included without their fresh equivalents because the dried versions
weigh considerably less and
therefore contain more nutrients than
the same weight of fresh fruit.
1.*Cashews, *soybean (dried), *almonds, *Brazil nuts, lima beans (dried),
barley (whole), peanuts, kidney beans (dried), rye (whole), pecans, wheat
(whole), oats, hazelnuts, peas (dried), English walnuts, Indian corn, beet
tops, rice (brown), figs (dried), coconut (dried), apricots (dried), dates,
collards, chard, spinach, prunes (dried), okra (without seeds), chestnuts,
avocados, parsley.
