Several minerals are necessary for humans to normal functioning
of the body. Although the adequate intake of most minerals is
usually achieved, low intakes for extended periods of time can
cause deficiency signs. Nowadays, severe cases of iron (Fe) and
selenium (Se) deficiency still exist all over the world, and the
dietary intake of other minerals such as calcium (Ca), magnesium
(Mg), iodine (I) and zinc (Zn) may be inadequate in several
countries (Li et al., 2013; Stein, 2010). The introduction of the
Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs), defined as “the levels of
intake of essential nutrients that, on the basis of scientific
knowledge, are judged by the US Food and Nutrition Board to
be adequate to meet the known nutrient needs of practically all
healthy persons” was a very important milestone in human
nutrition science. RDAs are established based on the estimated
average requirements (EAR), taking into consideration the incomplete
utilization of the ingested nutrient (bioavailability) and
integrating a safety factor to account for inter-individual variability
(FNB/IOM, 2006).