Minerals such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium are essential inorganic elements critical for human physiology, including electrolyte balance, nerve function, muscle contraction, and enzymatic reactions. In food contexts, they occur as ions or salts (e.g., NaCl, KCl, MgSO4). Sodium regulates fluid balance, potassium supports cardiovascular health, and magnesium aids in over 300 biochemical reactions. They are not volatile organic compounds but ionic species with high water solubility in salt forms. No single chemical structure applies as they represent elemental categories rather than molecular compounds.