Cakes aren’t considered the healthiest desserts, but they do offer some health benefits if eaten in moderation. The main reason is that they’re a great source of protein and calcium.
They also contain potassium, which is an important mineral for healthy body functions. It is known to help maintain normal body growth, control acid-base balance, build proteins and regulate digestive functioning.
Vitamin A (82 IU)
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that your body absorbs via digestion, after which it sends it to the liver for storage in the form of retinol or retinoic acid. It’s an antioxidant and a key component of your immune system.
There are many ways to get your daily dose of this vitamin, including food sources. Butter, eggs, liver, fortified milk, cream and cheese are all rich in this nutrient.
It’s also available in stand-alone supplements, and some multivitamins may contain it. Amounts can vary widely, but 3,000 mcg RAE (333% of the DV) is common.
In a nutshell, Vitamin A is the most important vitamin your body needs. It helps you grow and maintain healthy skin, eyes, hair and digestive tract. It also protects against heart disease and cancer. It’s also the best vitamin for improving memory. A deficiency can lead to night blindness and fatigue. Other symptoms include an impaired immune system and susceptibility to infection. It can be dangerous if taken in high amounts (more than 3,000 mcg RAE per day), which is often the case for pregnant women and those who are lactating.
Vitamin B-9 (14 mg)
Vitamin B-9, also known as folate, is one of the eight water-soluble vitamins that help convert food into fuel. It is essential for energy production and brain health. It also helps break down homocysteine, an amino acid that can increase risk of heart disease and cancer if it is too high in the body.
Folic acid is found naturally in many foods, but it’s best to take a supplement or fortified food if you don’t get enough from your diet. It’s especially important for pregnant women and women trying to conceive.
The Office of Dietary Supplements recommends talking with your health care provider about folic acid supplements. If you have a gene called MTHFR, your body may not be able to use folate properly.
You can find a variety of fortified foods and supplements that contain folic acid, including multivitamins, children’s chewable and liquid drops, and B complex vitamins. It’s especially important for pregnant women to get enough folic acid to prevent neural tube birth defects in their babies.
Vitamin C (0.2 mg)
Vitamin C is a vital nutrient that aids the growth and development of your body. It also promotes immune health and protects against the development of certain diseases.
It helps in boosting energy, maintaining skin and hair and maintaining healthy bones. It is also a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals.
The main functions of Vitamin B2 are to convert vitamin B6 and vitamin B9 into active forms, neutralize ‘free radicals’ that damage cells and produce energy.
Another important water-soluble nutrient is vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), which is a powerful antioxidant and helps to strengthen your immune system, enhance blood hemoglobin level and metabolize toxic substances. It is a very important component of the diet for people who are pregnant and lactating.
The main function of this nutrient is to maintain blood clotting, prevent heart disease and build strong bones. It is also a powerful antioxidant and helps to reduce the risk of developing cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes. Besides, it improves digestive health, reduces stress levels and controls diabetes.
Vitamin K (3.1 ug)
Vitamin K (3.1 ug) is an essential nutrient that helps your blood clot properly and reduces the risk of excessive bleeding. It also aids in preventing heart disease and builds strong bones.
Several forms of vitamin K are available as supplements. These include phylloquinone, the most common dietary form of vitamin K; menaquinones; and phytonadione.
The body can convert phylloquinone to menaquinones via a natural process in the digestive tract. Foods that contain phylloquinone, such as leafy green vegetables, are the best sources of this nutrient.
Menaquinones are unsaturated isoprenyl compounds that come in a variety of side chain lengths. Some are produced by bacteria in the gut; others are found in certain animal products, such as egg yolks and butter.
MK-4, which is the most bioavailable form of vitamin K, is a short-chain menaquinone. Other vitamers, which are longer chains of isoprenyl, are more difficult for the body to absorb. These include MK-5 to MK-15, which are produced by bacteria in the gut or in fermented foods like natto.
Copper (0.04 mg)
Copper is a good example of a trace mineral that can make a big impact on your health. This mineral helps to regulate various physiologic pathways like iron metabolism, connective tissue maturation and energy production.
It can also help to improve your brain function and boost your mood and sleep patterns. It may even help to prevent certain cancers.
Another useful nutrient is phosphorus, which plays an important role in brain and kidney function as well as the formation of proteins and hormones. It is also a key component of healthy bone formation.
In conclusion, there are many other vital nutrients that can benefit your body ranging from vitamins to minerals. Some of the best known include Vitamin A, B-12 and C. The Sodium, Phosphorus and Potassium are also worthy of a mention.
The best way to get these essential vitamins and minerals is by consuming foods that contain them. A healthy diet includes a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. This will provide your body with the nutrients it needs to keep you happy and healthy.
Manganese (0.05 mg)
Manganese is a trace mineral, required in small amounts to maintain cellular processes. It is a key component of energy metabolism and plays a role in the production of nerve cells and protein synthesis. It also regulates the immune system and reduces stress.
The average person needs a daily intake of 0.05 mg of manganese. It is important for normal body growth, cell reproduction, and regulating acid-base balance.
Magnesium is another essential mineral for the body as it helps in storing energy and supporting a number of chemical reactions throughout the body. It is necessary for bone growth and health, muscle development, digestion, blood clotting, and the control of diabetes.
Sodium is another mineral that is essential for the human body as it allows electrolyte creation, regulated nerve impulses, and a normal heart rate. It is also needed for normal kidney function and bowel movement regulation, as well as maintaining proper bone growth. It is also a risk factor for high blood pressure and hypertension. It can also cause swelling in the extremities and high levels of cholesterol.
Vitamin E (0.1 mg)
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect cells against free radical damage and prevents the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. It can also help lower the risk of heart disease and cancer.
Naturally occurring vitamin E is available in eight chemical forms (alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocopherol and alpha-, beta-, gamma-, delta-tocotrienol). However, the only form that is recognized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as meeting the daily recommendation for the general population is the synthetically produced all rac-alpha-tocopherol, which has the highest bioavailability.
The nutrient is also available as an esterified version in dietary supplements and fortified foods. These esters are absorbed just as efficiently as the synthetically produced all rac-alpha-tocopherol.
The nutrient is also found in a variety of other foods, including vegetable oils and fortified grain products. It is a water-soluble vitamin that can be stored in the body and distributed in small amounts throughout the body. It is known to lower the risk of developing heart disease, cancer and age-related eye diseases. It is also good for bone and joint health.
Vitamin B-12 (0.04 mg)
Vitamin B-12 is a water-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in foods and available as a dietary supplement or prescription medication. It is essential for normal growth, development and cell function in the body. It also acts as a cofactor in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and proteins.
This vitamin is found mainly in meat, fish, eggs and fortified dairy products. It can also be found in some fermented foods like tempeh and in some vegetarian foods that are fortified with it, such as plant milks and breakfast cereals.
However, it is important to understand that high doses of B12 supplements have been shown to promote cancer. This is especially true in men, with male smokers at the highest risk.
Although research on vitamin B12 is limited, it seems that a higher intake might increase the risk of some cancers, including gastric cancer and prostate cancer. In one study, people who were given a supplement with 400 mcg/day of folic acid and 500 mcg/day of vitamin B12 for 2 to 3 years had a higher risk of colorectal cancer than the control group, but not of other types of cancer.