A survey of 384 patients with pruritus (itchy skin) by American scientists showed that 27.7% of them had low levels of manganese in their bodies. The survey also found that when patients consumed more foods rich in manganese, their rate of improvement significantly increased. In recent years, research has shown that manganese is involved in the body's material metabolism. It acts as an oxidant promoter, enhancing the absorption and utilization of protein in the human body, and helps in the excretion of harmful substances from protein breakdown products that can irritate the skin.
Nutritionists believe that as long as one does not have a picky eating habit and maintains a balanced diet, there is no need to take manganese supplements to maintain the body's manganese balance.
Foods rich in manganese include tea. Among grains, there are rice, millet, and flour. In beans and tubers, there are soybeans and their products, mung beans, and sweet potatoes. In animal-based foods, there are animal livers, lean meat, and eggs. In fruits, there are apples, oranges, and apricots. In vegetables, there are spinach, celery, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, carrots, and tomatoes.