If you haven’t heard of manganese before, then don’t worry - it’s hardly a word that we hear in everyday conversation! That being said, it is, in fact, a rather important mineral that plays a critical role in helping the body to function properly.

So, let’s go into more detail and find out exactly what it is and why it’s important for your child’s health.

What is manganese?

Manganese is a mineral that our bodies use to provide us with energy and to protect cells from damage. What’s more, manganese helps your child’s bones to grow big and strong, aids the formation of blood clots, and supports a healthy immune system.

We absorb manganese from a variety of foods, including whole grains, mussels, nuts, legumes, rice, leafy vegetables, coffee and tea, black pepper, and even from drinking water.

So, what happens if my child isn’t getting enough manganese?

Manganese deficiency is extremely rare in developed countries, but it can lead to weak bones and poor growth in children.

Now you may be asking, is it possible for my child to take in too much manganese? While the manganese found in food and drink hasn’t shown any signs of harm, it is possible to develop manganese toxicity by other means. Manganese toxicity is sometimes caused by drinking water containing very high levels of manganese or from inhaling large amounts of manganese dust during welding or mining work.

Symptoms of manganese toxicity include tremors, hearing problems, insomnia, depression, loss of appetite, muscle spasms, and more. But we would again like to stress that as long as your child is eating a healthy, balanced diet, and drinking from clean, approved water sources, it is very unlikely that they will develop manganese toxicity.

So, how much manganese does my child need?

While the recommended daily manganese intake for babies under the age of 1 has not yet been established, there are guidelines for older children and teenagers.

Children aged 1 to 3 need 1.2 mg of manganese per day.

Children aged 4 to 8 need 1.5 mg of manganese per day.

Children aged 9 to 13 require between 1.6 and 1.9 mg per day.

And teens upwards of 14 years old need between 1.2 and 2.2 mg per day.

What is manganese, and how much does my child need?