Men who consumed an average 1.8mg of boron a day had reduced their risk of developing prostate cancer by nearly a half.

The researchers cautioned that further research would be needed as the number of prostate cancer cases was small (95). [1]

The US Department of Agriculture's Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center conducted research on the benefits of boron for rheumatoid arthritis. Having reviewed reserach to date on boron, Dr Forrest Nielsen considers that up to 13mg/day is a safe intake.

Boron also appears to boost sex hormones in postmenopausal women (making it a possible natural and safe alternative to HRT) and in men of the same age. [2]

Ed.- Dr. Forrest Nielsen was a senior member of the team at Grand Forks which produced evidence that boron is an essential nutrient for higher animals. They found that inadequate boron worsens bone changes induced by low dietary cholecalciferol (a form of vitamin D). Subsequently, they showed that boron enhances the effects of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been found beneficial for bone formation, turnover and strength, and for eye and brain development.
The team also found that supplementation of a low boron diet with levels of boron commonly found in diets high in fruits and vegetables (i) improved cognitive and psychomotor functions, (ii) modified calcium and magnesium metabolism and (iii) enhanced and mimicked some of the effects of oestrogen therapy. [3]