The 11 Best Sources Of Plant-Based Calcium

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Calcium is the most plentiful mineral in the human body, which makes it one of the most important nutrients for good health. Here’s everything you need to know about this essential chemical element, including which plant-based foods and ingredients to find it in.

Why does the human body need calcium?

"Calcium is an essential mineral vital in various bodily functions," Karine Stephan, registered nutritional therapy and lifestyle medicine practitioner and founder of Happy Living Nutrition, tells Plant Based News (PBN). "It is a critical component of bones and teeth, providing strength and structure to the skeletal system."

Healthy adult humans contain between 1.2 and 1.4kg of calcium. Up to 99 percent of the body’s calcium is stored in the bones and teeth, but it also contributes to effective muscle movement and supports the heart, brain, nerves, blood pressure, clotting, and more.

According to the Mayo Clinic, some research indicates that the combination of calcium and vitamin D together may also protect against diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer.

While calcium consumption is usually associated with dairy, it's a myth that you need to consume milk or cheese to get it. Many plant-based foods are also rich in the essential mineral. Regardless of lifestyle, it's important to ensure you’re consuming - and absorbing - enough calcium along with all other micro and macronutrients.