Boron is an essential nutrient for plants, and may be for humans too.  It is a trace mineral, stored predominantly in bones and tooth enamel, whose role in human health is now being actively explored.  Research suggests that boron may play roles in metabolism and bone health.

Since it’s not well-understood what boron does for our health, it’s also not clear how much of it we need.  Boron deficiency may be related to conditions of poor bone health, such as osteoporosis and arthritis.  It also appears to be involved in the regulation of magnesium and Vitamin D, and in the production of estrogen and testosterone.  Boron is not highly toxic, but can induce symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea when ingested in amounts exceeding 15 g/day.