Boron
What it is and what it does
- Boron is a trace element found naturally in many foods. (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Boron Fact Sheet for Health Professionals (updated 2022-06-09))
- Boron is not classified as an essential nutrient for humans, because research has not yet identified a clear biological function for it. (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Boron Fact Sheet for Health Professionals (updated 2022-06-09))
- WHO (1996) placed boron in its group of trace elements that are 'probably essential' (with manganese, silicon and nickel). (WHO (1996). Trace elements in human nutrition and health. Prepared in collaboration with FAO and IAEA. Geneva: World Health Organization)
- In plants, boron is part of the cell walls and is required for growth, pollination and seed formation. (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Boron Fact Sheet for Health Professionals (updated 2022-06-09))
- Scientists are not certain what role, if any, boron has in the human body. (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Boron Fact Sheet for Consumers (updated 2021-01-15))
- Little is known of the biochemical function of boron in human and animal tissues. (WHO (1996). Trace elements in human nutrition and health. Prepared in collaboration with FAO and IAEA. Geneva: World Health Organization)
Why it matters
- Signs of boron deficiency have not been firmly established in humans. (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Boron Fact Sheet for Health Professionals (updated 2022-06-09))
- Limited data suggest that boron deficiency might affect brain function by reducing mental alertness. (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Boron Fact Sheet for Health Professionals (updated 2022-06-09))
- No data are available on harmful effects of high boron intakes from food or water. (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Boron Fact Sheet for Health Professionals (updated 2022-06-09))
- Accidentally swallowing boric acid or borax (found in some household cleaning products and pesticides) causes symptoms such as nausea. (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Boron Fact Sheet for Health Professionals (updated 2022-06-09))
- Extremely high doses of boron can be fatal: 15,000-20,000 mg can cause death in adults. (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Boron Fact Sheet for Health Professionals (updated 2022-06-09))
General information, not medical advice — for your own needs, ask a doctor or dietitian.
How much is needed
| Who | Amount | What the figure is | Whose figure |
|---|---|---|---|
| India, all groups | no value set | No ICMR-NIN 2020 value | ICMR-NIN 2020 |
| All ages (US) | no value set | No RDA, AI or EAR | US NASEM via NIH ODS (not an Indian value) |
| Adults 19+ years, incl. pregnancy and breastfeeding (US) | 20 mg/day | UL (tolerable upper intake level) | US NASEM via NIH ODS (not an Indian value) |
| Adults, incl. pregnancy and breastfeeding (EU) | 10 mg/day | UL (tolerable upper intake level) | EFSA NDA Panel 2004 (EU, not an Indian value) |
| Adults, population mean intake (WHO 1996) | 1.0-13 mg/day | Acceptable safe range of population mean intakes | WHO 1996, Trace elements in human nutrition and health (international; not an Indian value) |
India’s own figure (ICMR-NIN 2020) comes first. Figures from other bodies are shown only where they help, and say whose they are.
Sources: ICMR-NIN Expert Group. Short Report of Nutrient Requirements for Indians: Recommended Dietary Allowances and Estimated Average Requirements - 2020; NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Boron Fact Sheet for Health Professionals (updated 2022-06-09); EFSA (2025). Overview on Tolerable Upper Intake Levels as derived by the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) and the EFSA NDA Panel, Version 11 (August 2025); WHO (1996). Trace elements in human nutrition and health. Prepared in collaboration with FAO and IAEA. Geneva: World Health Organization
Absorption and food
- The body absorbs about 85-90% of the boron it takes in. (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Boron Fact Sheet for Health Professionals (updated 2022-06-09))
- The boron in plant foods depends partly on the boron content of the soil and water where they were grown. (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Boron Fact Sheet for Health Professionals (updated 2022-06-09))
- Boron is excreted mainly in the urine. (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Boron Fact Sheet for Health Professionals (updated 2022-06-09))
- Fruits and fruit juices, such as raisins, peaches, and prune and grape juices, contain boron. (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Boron Fact Sheet for Consumers (updated 2021-01-15))
- Avocados and potatoes contain boron. (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Boron Fact Sheet for Consumers (updated 2021-01-15))
- Legumes such as peanuts, beans and green peas contain boron. (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Boron Fact Sheet for Consumers (updated 2021-01-15))