15 Plant-Based Recipes With The Benefits of Manganese
Manganese doesn’t seem as flashy as other popular health buzzwords like vitamin C, fiber, protein , and healthy fat , but manganese absolutely deserves its place and its spotlight in the health world.
This trace mineral — meaning “your body needs very small amounts of it — is an essential […]
Manganese doesn’t seem as flashy as other popular health buzzwords like vitamin C, fiber, protein, and healthy fat, but manganese absolutely deserves its place and its spotlight in the health world.
This trace mineral — meaning “your body needs very small amounts of it — is an essential compound required for various critical bodily functionsand is “stored in the bones, kidneys, and pancreas.” Along with working as an important part of bodily functions, proper manganese consumptionhas been linked to better bone health by increasing bone density, it helps “enzymes carry out their functions,” is essential for the “metabolism of cholesterol, carbohydrates, and protein,” and is a component of the “antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD).” On top of that, recent studies have revealed that manganese deficiency may play a role in diabetes.
As important as manganese is, it’s also important to make note that manganese, while similar to magnesium, is a different mineral altogether. While manganese “helps regulate your blood sugar and supports the health of your nervous system,” as well as aid in the absorption of calcium, the breaking down of carbohydrates and fats, and the synthesis of bones, “endocrine hormones, connective tissue, the proteins necessary for blood coagulation and the enzyme superoxide dismutase, a powerful antioxidant,” magnesium also “plays a role in bone health and energy metabolism,” it also “triggers the activity of over 300 enzymes, helps maintain the electrochemical balance your neurons and muscles need to work and aids in the production of DNA and RNA.”
You need both of these for a healthy body, but for today, let’s focus on getting that manganese with these recipes from the Food Monster App!
1. Chicken-Fried Tofu With Orange-Scented Sweet Potatoes
Go traditional-with-a-twist with this meatless Chicken-Fried Tofu With Orange-Scented Sweet Potatoes recipe by Megan Sadd. With 10 ounces of manganese-rich firm tofu, a fourth cup of vitamin C rich orange juice, and a long list of spices, this is the perfect summer-weekend meal that can cross-over into lunch for work the next day.
2. Sweet Potato Mash With Dill Avocado Sauce
Mashed potatoes are a wonderful comfort recipe, but if you’re also looking for a boost in magnesium, try this Sweet Potato Mash With Dill Avocado Sauce recipe by Michele Elizabeth. Elizabeth adds a dash of healthy fat-filled avocado drizzled atop this sweet treat making it the perfect balanced meal.
3. Smoky Southern Collard Greens
Collard greens aren’t just a southern staple, but they also happen to top the nutrient-dense veggie list. This Smoky Southern Collard Greensrecipe by Molly Patrick features a pound of collard greens offering a boost in manganese!
4. Stir-Fried Okra
This Stir-Fried Okra recipe by Rinku Bhattacharya is great for okra beginners! A simple mix of subtle, delicious, and Asian-cuisine inspired flavors — such as turmeric, red onion, ginger, cayenne, and cumin — enhances the naturally neutral manganese-rich okra in this 30-minute dish!
5. Chocolate Fudge Pine Nut Cookies
Looking for something to quell that sweet tooth of yours? This Chocolate Fudge Pine Nut Cookies recipe by Helyn Dunn is not only rich manganese-filled pine nuts, but it opts for natural sugar from dates and maple syrup over can sugar and healthy fats such as almond butter and almond flour to make these brownies your new favorite treat!
6. 6-Ingredient Tahini, Hemp Seed, and Basil Dressing
Getting manganese doesn’t have involved a full meal. Instead, whip up this super easy 6-Ingredient Tahini, Hemp Seed, and Basil Dressing by Olivia Budgen, which uses manganese-rich hemp seed. Drizzle it over your salad, stir fry, or even substitute it instead of mayonnaise on a sandwich.
7. Raw Hazelnut, Praline, and Caramel Cheesecake
Hazelnuts pack a punch of semi-sweet, earthy flavor that is great for dessert recipes such as this Raw Hazelnut, Praline, and Caramel Cheesecakerecipe by Holly Jade. Plus, hazelnuts happens to be a great source of manganese!
8. Stuffed Lentil, Quinoa and Mushroom Capsicum
Never heard of capsicum? This lovely, gentle pepper is great to stuff such as in this Stuffed Lentil, Quinoa and Mushroom Capsicum recipe by Judy Moosmueller. Along with manganese-rich quinoa, this gluten-free recipe offers a dose of fiber-rich lentils, naturally sweet corn, and flavorful garlic!
9. Oil-Free Sweet Potato Basmati Brown Rice Casserole
This Oil-Free Sweet Potato Basmati Brown Rice Casserole recipe by The China Study Family Cookbook is a manganese gold mine with both sweet potato and brown rice! This recipe is incredibly filling and is one of those great meal prep dishes that can last you throughout the week without getting stale!
10. Mediterranean Baked Lima Beans
Oftentimes forgotten about, lima beans — also called butter beans — are a great source of manganese and get their name from their buttery texture. This Mediterranean Baked Lima Beans recipe by Pavani Nandula gets creative with tradition by integrating a splash of maple syrup, nutmeg, and carrot to this Mediterranean dish.
11. Pecan Blueberry Muffin
Looking to wake up with something slightly sweet, easy to pack, and nutrient-dense? Try these Pecan Blueberry Muffin recipe by Robin Runner. The pecans are rich in manganese, the blueberries pack a punch of antioxidants, and the flaxseed and oats will give you that fiber to keep a digestive system healthy.
12. Asparagus and Pea Soup
Pea soup is one of those staples that melds to the season. Heat it up for those wintry nights or keep it chilled on those summer afternoons! This Asparagus and Pea Soup recipe by Harriet Emily is super simple and yet flavorful with a blend of asparagus, onions, garlic, peas, celery, vegetable stock, and your choice of dried herbs.
13. Tempeh, Lemongrass, and Broccoli Coconut Curry
This Tempeh, Lemongrass, and Broccoli Coconut Curry recipe by Amarilis Moldes is a bold vegan and grain-free Asia-inspired meal. It’s nutrient-dense with manganese-rich tempeh, delicate lemongrass, cruciferous broccoli, and vibrant coconut!
14. Spicy Garlic Edamame
This Spicy Garlic Edamame recipe by Adam Merrin and Ryan Alvarez is a wonderful side dish to any meal! Prep it for the week to snack on throughout the day, serve it as a party appetizer, or keep it as an easy addition to stir-fries.
15. Indian Spiced Sweet Potato Fries With Parsley Cashew Dip
Another great side dish or snack option, this Indian Spiced Sweet Potato Fries With Parsley Cashew Dip recipe by Crazy Vegan Kitchen also packs a sweet-potato punch of manganese. Crazy Vegan Kitchen uses a slew of vibrant, traditional Indian flavors including cayenne, coriander, cumin, and ground masala to infuse the sweet with savory!
What is manganese?
Manganese is a naturally occurring element and an essential mineral nutrient. It’s important for maintaining good health, though manganese can be toxic at high levels.
Manganese deficiency is rare but can happen, especially with certain medical conditions. Read on to learn what manganese does and what it means if you have a deficiency.
What does manganese do?
Manganese is important for several functions in your body.
Metabolism
Your body contains numerous proteins called enzymes. Enzymes help to speed up chemical reactions. Manganese is a necessary component of several important enzymes in your body that work to process carbohydrates, amino acids, and cholesterol.
Antioxidant properties
An antioxidant stops harmful free radicals from damaging your cells. A manganese-containing enzyme present in your cells is the main detoxifier of free radicals.
Bone health and development
Manganese is essential for enzymes that help form bone and cartilage.
Wound healing
Manganese is present in an enzyme that provides an amino acid called proline. Proline is necessary for the production of collagen in your skin cells. Collagen formation is essential to wound healing.
What are the symptoms of a Manganese deficiency?
Since manganese is found in many foods within our daily diets, reports of manganese deficiency are rare.
A person that does have a deficiency in manganese could experience the following symptoms:
- poor bone growth or skeletal defects
- slow or impaired growth
- low fertility
- impaired glucose tolerance, a state between normal glucose maintenance and diabetes
- abnormal metabolism of carbohydrate and fat