Vegetables for sale at a farmers market.

Image Credit: Dangubic/iStock/Getty Images Silicon is a mineral that, like calcium and vitamin D, can help improve the strength of your bones and lower your risk for osteoporosis, according to an article published in the “International Journal of Endocrinology” in 2013. Plant foods tend to contain more silicon than animal foods, so vegetarians often have higher silicon intakes than meat eaters do.

  Advertisement
 
Common Dietary Sources

Red wine, beer, raisins, whole-grain bread, bran cereal, brown rice, green beans and mineral water are some of the more common sources of silicon. Other common sources are barley, oats, whole wheat, nuts, dried fruit, bananas, root vegetables, spinach, seafood and organ meats. Although beans tend to be lower in silicon, red lentils contain a significant amount of this nutrient. Drinking water may also contain some amount of silicon.

  Video of the Day
  
  Advertisement
 
  Advertisement
 
  Advertisement
  
  references
  
      Journal of Nutrition, Health &ampamp; Aging: Silicon and Bone Health
    
      British Journal of Nutrition: A Provisional Database for the Silicon Content of Foods in the United Kingdom
    
      International Journal of Endocrinology: Silicon: A Review of Its Potential Role in the Prevention and Treatment of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis
       




  references
  
      Journal of Nutrition, Health &ampamp; Aging: Silicon and Bone Health
    
      British Journal of Nutrition: A Provisional Database for the Silicon Content of Foods in the United Kingdom
    
      International Journal of Endocrinology: Silicon: A Review of Its Potential Role in the Prevention and Treatment of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis
    




Vegetables for sale at a farmers market.

Image Credit: Dangubic/iStock/Getty Images

Image Credit: Dangubic/iStock/Getty Images

      Journal of Nutrition, Health &ampamp; Aging: Silicon and Bone Health
    
      British Journal of Nutrition: A Provisional Database for the Silicon Content of Foods in the United Kingdom
    
      International Journal of Endocrinology: Silicon: A Review of Its Potential Role in the Prevention and Treatment of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis