Minerals and trace elements are essential components of our diet. But what roles do they play and where can they be found? They connect us to the Earth and other living beings and have various functions in metabolism. They regulate fluid balance, help store light energy from food, and support cognitive functions. They are rarely tasted or seen. The amounts necessary for human nutrition are quite small, but their absence can have significant effects. Following the basics of minerals, there is a chapter on the regulation of acid-base balance. The main part consists of descriptions of individual minerals and trace elements, their occurrence in soil, plants, animals, and humans, as well as in food. What foods provide adequate amounts of these micronutrients? The book is based on a holistic approach.