Determination of Minerals in Herbal Infusions Promoting Weight Loss

Abstract

The study aimed at determination of the mineral composition of slimming herbal teas and estimation of the coverage of their total intake with infusions in women’s daily diet. The content of Na+, K+, Ca+2, Mg+2, Zn+2, Cu+2, Fe+2, and Mn+2 was determined in infusions and mineralisates obtained from the slimming herbal teas. Among macroelements, the highest content was recorded for Ca—on average 3.73 mg·100 ml−1 in its infusion. Mn was a microelement with the highest concentration amounting to 0.20 mg·100 ml−1 in the infusion. The investigations revealed that, referring to the dietary reference intakes (DRIs), weight loss herbal infusions cover the recommended daily intake of manganese for women to the highest extent (on average 54 %), which suggests that they can be a major source of this microelement for the organism. Herbal teas only to a slight extent (to approx. 4 %) covered the recommended daily intake of magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, zinc, copper, and calcium in the daily diet.