[Contribution of food products and drinking water to the intake of minerals by elderly].

The aim of this paper was to assess the contribution of food product groups and drinking water to mineral and trace elements supply. On the basis of 3-day record data it was found that the intake of calcium and copper by 75-80 years old elderly living in Warsaw area (Poland) was insufficient. The same for iron among women and zinc among men was observed. The RDA for energy was covered in 90% by men's diets and in 78% by women's diets. Dairy products were the main source of calcium (48%), cereals were the main source of magnesium (29%), while iron came mainly from cereals (31%) and meat products (21%). Two latter groups of products also significantly contributed in zinc intake by the elderly (29% and 25% respectively). Cereals (33%) and potatoes (16%) were the main sources of copper. Drinking water had significant share only in calcium (14%) and zinc (9%) intake. Cereals, vegetables, dairy and meat products gave relatively more minerals to men's diets, while potatoes, fruits, eggs and other products (fats, sugar, sweets etc.)--to women's diets.