A trace mineral found in fruit, vegetables and nuts.
Why it’s used: Works alongside calcium, magnesium and vitamin D in the body; research is ongoing.
Boron is a trace mineral found in many plant foods, including fruit such as raisins and peaches, prune and grape juice, avocados, potatoes, and legumes such as peanuts, beans and green peas. Drinks such as coffee and milk also contain some. Because it comes mostly from plants, how much you get depends largely on how much fruit, vegetables and pulses you eat.
Unlike the vitamins and minerals with authorised roles, boron is not considered an essential nutrient, because scientists are not yet certain what role it plays in the body. It works alongside calcium, magnesium and vitamin D in the body, and researchers have studied it in relation to bone and joint health in small trials. More research is needed before any firm conclusions can be drawn, so it carries no authorised health claims.
Supplements use several forms, including boron citrate, boron glycinate, boron aspartate, boron gluconate and calcium fructoborate. Scientists do not yet know whether one form is better than another. Amounts are listed in milligrams (mg) of boron.
3 findings behind this ingredient. Hover a card for the detail and the source.
Double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 60 adults with knee discomfort taking 110 mg calcium fructoborate twice a day for 14 days. WOMAC and McGill pain scores fell significantly more than placebo, with a WOMAC difference of -13.73 at day 14 (P<0.0001).
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in healthy adults given 112 mg or 56 mg calcium fructoborate a day for 30 days. The 112 mg dose cut CRP by 31.3% and LDL by 9.8% from baseline and reduced IL-6, IL-1β and MCP-1.
Double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial; 72 adults with primary knee osteoarthritis started and 60 completed 15 days of calcium fructoborate or placebo. Inflammatory markers (CRP, fibrinogen, ESR) improved versus placebo, with slight changes in blood lipids.
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Not officially. Scientists are not yet certain what role boron plays in the body, so it is not classed as essential and has no recommended daily amount. It is found naturally in many plant foods, and researchers continue to study it.
Calcium fructoborate is one of several forms of boron used in supplements, alongside boron citrate, glycinate and aspartate. The NIH notes that scientists do not yet know whether one form of boron is better than the others.
EFSA has set a tolerable upper intake level of 10mg of boron a day for adults, counting all sources. Supplements commonly provide between 0.15mg and 6mg, so check the total if you take more than one product.
Information only, not medical advice. If you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, speak to your GP or pharmacist first.
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