No, Jelly beans are not a good source of minerals. They do contain small amounts of some essential nutrients like potassium, phosphorus and magnesium, but in very low concentrations that don’t really make them a viable dietary choice for increasing these types of nutrient intake levels. Additionally, they often contain excess levels of sugar and artificial coloring, components which have been linked to an increased risk of disease and other health problems. Therefore, while jelly beans may be enjoyable every once in a while as part of a balanced diet, they should not be relied upon as a primary source of mineral nutrition.
Introduction
What do jellybeans and minerals have in common? While it may seem that these two items don't necessarily go together, there is actually a surprising amount of minerals to be obtained from eating the popular sugary snack. Regarded as an unhealthy snack due to its high sugar content, many people are unaware that jellybeans also contain trace amounts of important minerals such as potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, phosphorus and copper. This paper seeks to explore the benefits of consuming small amounts of these essential nutrients from jelly beans as well as potential side effects related to over-indulging in this sweet treat.
Analysis
A one ounce serving of original flavor Jelly Belly jelly bean contains approximately 29 grams of carbohydrates and 10 grams of sugar– providing about 42 calories per serving. Although immediately recognizable for their overwhelming sweetness and long shelf life, the candy itself does not boast a variety of beneficial vitamins. However, surprisingly enough jelly beans still contain minute traces of essential minerals mentioned above which are beneficial for proper metabolic functioning and can help reduce chronic illness when consumed as part of a balanced diet.
Potassium
An integral component of bodily functions like muscle contractions and nerve signals transmission, potassium plays a crucial role in controlling blood pressure. Found in limited amounts within jelly beans (a measly 6 milligrams), potassium can provide helpful levels of daily vitamin supplementation when added as part of your regular meals. Regular intake of potassium helps to stave off cardiovascular diseases including reducing the risk for stroke – plus poses little to no threat of adverse reactions due to overdose or sensitivity.
Magnesium
This mineral is present in much higher concentrations than potassium; contributing 8 mg of magnesium within the same one ounce portion. Magnessium has been associated with many health benefits ranging from improved bone density, strengthening the immune system, enhancing energy production and even regulating blood glucose levels — offering prevention against type 2 diabetes. With too much taken however, side effects such as diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal cramps may ensue making pill overdosing something to avoid.
Iron
In terms of supplementing dietary Iron, nearly 1/8th teaspoon of jellybeans provides necessary elements on top of a healthy meal plan – enabling easier transport throughout the body while being a vital component of hemoglobin and myoglobins. Having the correct level of iron content sustains oxygenation with the bloodstream travelling through each organs muscles tissue promoting good circulation and preventing anemia. It should be known however, an excessive input of iron into the system runs the chance of protein buildup in the vital organs leading to further complications down the line so pills should always be monitored properly.
Zinc
While zinc exists naturally within the human body, additional external sources cannot hurt—extractable from plants, fruits and fungi as well as 1/10th teaspoon worth of Jelly Bellys. A beneficial hormone regulator and anti-microbial defense, zinc promotes faster wound healing times during injury and contributes towards augmenting hormones responsible for hair growth, sexual development and immunity. And unlike other fatal consequences posed by other excess dosage instances, experiences caused by zinc poisoning range from nausea, vomiting, stomach aches, headache and dizziness.
Phosphorus
Boasting the most nutritional value among all the featured ingredients, 27% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) refers to 3.2mg found embedded inside Jelly Beans compared to 255mg when weighed equally as an adult male. As an element involved in bone structure and energy metabolism processes, phosphorus aids in creating and sustaining strong bones while bearing iron and zinc uptake with hastened efficiency. Too much ingestion meanwhile, could lead to oxidative damage amongst vulnerable organs positioning digestive issues in spots for muscle fatigue and joint pain plus potential renal failure.
Copper
Finally, although Copper wields few advantages specifically attributed to jelly belly consumption, nonetheleses 11mcg involvement still infiltrates some kind of nourishment with regards to aiding antioxidant properties combating free radicals damaging cells over time. Obtainable from foods like grains and legumes at 23mcg, nonetheless exceeding 110 mcg carries undesirable implications for long before developing vivid discolorations, unusual taste disinterest’s and dementia linked seizures.
Conclusion
Although tasty and convenient, jelly beans offer negligible quantities of minerals when divided evenly into a nutritiously balanced day plan complete with detailed monitories avoiding detrimental dosages alerting surprise visits from dreaded symptoms. The slightly available amounts found within a handful however prove worthwhile once divvied out between various foodstuffs underlying productivity improvements innate general wellbeing concerning digestion, endurance and optimal performance.
Calcium | 0.003 grams |
Daily Value 1.3 g
|
Iron | 0.13 mg |
Daily Value 0.018 g
|
Magnesium | 0.002 grams |
Daily Value 0.4 g
|
Phosphorus | 0.004 grams |
Daily Value 1.25 g
|
Potassium | 0.037 grams |
Daily Value 4.7 g
|
Sodium | 0.05 grams |
Daily Value 2.3 g
|
Zinc | 0.05 mg |
Daily Value 0.011 g
|
Copper | 0.03 mg |
Daily Value 0.9 mg
|
Manganese | 0.04 mg |
Daily Value 0.0023 g
|
Selenium | 0.0011 mg |
Daily Value 0.055 mg
|