The body needs essential minerals; these are divided into two major minerals which are macrominerals and microminerals. The functions of minerals are different depending on what the mineral is like sodium’s function is used for proper fluid balance, nerve transmission, and muscle contraction and its sources are table salt, soy sauce, small amounts in milk, vegetables and unprocessed meats. Chloride’s function is it is needed for proper fluid balance and stomach acid and sources are about the same as sodium like table salt and soy sauce. There is also potassium which is needed for nerve transmission and can be found in meats, milk, fresh fruits, whole grains, and vegetables. Calcium is important for healthy bones and teeth this is found in milk and milk products such as cheese, canned fish with bones, and soy milk. Phosphorus important for bones and teeth as well and is found in poultry, fish, eggs, and milk processed foods. Some of the microminerals are iron which function is carrying oxygen in the body and found in organ meats, fish, poultry, and shellfish. Zinc needed for making protein and found in fish, meats, and poultry. And there are several others as well so minerals are pretty much found in all types of foods and if you’re not eating enough of these foods you can also buy some of the pills to help your body. The function of water in the body is it is used as a carrier of our essential minerals to get through the body, water removes waste products that include toxins through urine, it helps to break down the food we eat, and water is a large heat capacity which helps limit changes in the body’s temperature. Dehydration has many effects on the body which include decreased metabolism, rapid heartbeat, headaches, dizziness, and poor concentration. I have learned that it is really important to make sure you have enough intakes of minerals and water daily because it is extremely important for your body to function correctly. It is very easy to become dehydrated, sweating can cause dehydration and not drinking enough water can also cause dehydration.