Fantastic Benefits of Boron!

1. Increases Concentration and Brain Function

Research shows low levels of boron can contribute to a sluggish brain, poor cognitive development, and trouble learning or retaining information. Boron is often thought of as a “brain nutrient” because it can help with task performance, better motor control, attention and even short-term memory.

2. Helps Reverse Arthritis

Boron plays an important role in the integration of calcium into the joint’s cartilage, which helps prevent joint deterioration and arthritis pain. Research shows people with lower boron concentrations in their bones and synovial fluid experience higher rates of arthritis than those with higher levels. Other study observations show evidence that bones of patients using boron supplements are much harder to cut than those of patients not using supplements.

3. Strengthen Bones

Boron uses also include the ability to prevent bone loss by facilitating calcium, the main mineral involved in bone mineralization, directly into the bones, where it helps prevent porous and weak bones from developing. Boron also protects bones because of its role in regulating estrogen function.

Additionally, studies show boron can help the body produce and use vitamin D better, which is a crucial nutrient for healthy bone formation, in addition to many other things like immune function and cognitive processes.

4. Balances Hormones

As a mineral that can help balance levels of sex hormones in both women and men, including estrogen and testosterone, boron helps relieve menopause symptoms as well as PMS, and also for increasing fertility. In animal studies, boron depletion is linked with fertility problems and birth defects, which suggests that boron can play a role in healthy reproduction and fetus development.

5. Promotes Healthy Muscle Mass

Certain vitamins and minerals are better absorbed and utilized by the body when boron levels are higher, which is important for building muscle, burning fat and preventing pain by recovering muscle-tissue tears following exercise. And because boron helps promote healthy testosterone production, it might lead to higher energy levels and quicker strength gains.

6. Prevents and Treats Yeast Infections

Boron is an active ingredient in tablets used to treat yeast infections in women. Boron, in the form of boric acid, is used as a natural alternative to messy over-the-counter yeast infection medicines or creams. Boric acid is considered safe and effective when inserted into the vagina to speed up healing of painful infections.

7. Heals Skin and Prevents Infections

Boron uses include acting as an astringent to help prevent or treat infections on the skin, so it’s useful for lowering redness, inflammation, pain and other signs of irritation. For the same reason, some people also use boron as a natural eye wash to help kill bacteria that can lead to sties and other infections.

8. Fights Diabetes

Animal studies show that low levels of boron can increase physiological effects tied to diabetes, including changes in blood glucose (sugar) levels and triglyceride concentrations. It appears that boron can help with the metabolism of carbohydrates and the production of insulin from the pancreas that better controls stable blood sugar levels, so in the future we might see that boron uses include acting as a treatment for forms of insulin resistance.

Best Food Sources of Boron

While a comprehensive list of boron content within common foods isn’t yet available, below are 18 of the highest sources of boron. Another fun fact about boron uses? Boron acts as a natural food preservative within foods, because boron helps diminish bacteria growth, it’s a natural way to prevent crops from spoiling. During World War I and II it was added to foods to prolong their freshness and reduce food pathogens when refrigeration wasn’t always possible.

  • Beans
  • Artichokes
  • Berries   
  • Cherries
  • Sweet potatoes    
  • Onions
  • Pecans    
  • Walnuts
  • Figs    
  • Prunes/plums
  • Peaches   
  • Apricots
  • Cocoa
  • Avocado
  • Apples   
  • Pears
  • Grapes      
  • Oranges
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