[Skip navigation]
[Home page]
[Search]
[Site Map]
[Privacy]
[Disclaimer]
[About Us]
[Contact Us]
[Access Key Details]
Manganese
Main navigation
[Skip navigation]
[Healthy diet]
[Ages and stages]
[Health issues]
[Keeping food safe]
[Food labels]
Manganese is a trace element found in a variety of foods. These include bread, nuts, cereals and green vegetables (such as peas and runner beans). It's also found in tea, which is probably the biggest source of manganese for many people.
On this page
How much do I need?
You should be able to get all the manganese you need from your daily diet.
What does it do?
It helps make and activate some of the enzymes in the body.
What happens if I take too much?
Taking high doses of manganese for long periods of time might cause nerve damage and neurological symptoms such as fatigue and depression.
What is FSA advice?
You should be able to get all the manganese you need by eating a varied and balanced diet. But if you decide to take manganese supplements it's a good idea not to take too much because this could be harmful.
For most people, taking 4 mg or less of manganese supplements a day is unlikely to cause any harm.
For older people, taking 0.5 mg or less of manganese supplements a day is unlikely to cause any harm. This is a lower amount because older people may be more sensitive to manganese.
Healthy diet
Visit www.food.gov.uk for all the latest news and in depth information from the Food Standards Agency
Search
Settings
[Change Text Only Settings]
[Graphic version of this page]
[Top]
Main navigation
[Healthy diet]
[Ages and stages]
[Health issues]
[Keeping food safe]
[Food labels]
[Top]
© Crown copyright