The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is asking scientists their opinion on adequate dietary levels of manganese for adults and children.
Trace amounts of manganese in the diet are essential for wound healing, to prevent skeletal deformations and for healthy brain and nerve development. It is also an antioxidant (as part of the enzyme SOD) which helps protect against free radical damage.
Manganese can be found in many foods such as green vegetables: e.g. kale, mustard greens and spinach. It is also present in nuts and whole grains. The current recommended daily intake stands between 2-5 mg.
This Scientific Opinion is part of the EFSAs ongoing work on dietary reference values.