Foods High in Chromium | Health Benefits of Chromium

Chromium

Health benefits of Chromium:

Chromium is thought to enhance the effects of insulin, a hormone vital to the metabolism and storage of carbohydrate, fat and protein in the body.

The Worlds Science

What is chromium?

Chromium is an element and a mineral. There is some debate regarding whether it is an ‘essential’ nutrient1.

Why does it matter to me?

Chromium is only required in trace amounts and can be obtained from a very wide variety of foods2.

Chromium is thought to enhance the action of insulin3, a hormone critical to the metabolism and storage of carbohydrate, fat, and protein in the body4.

Because of this, it has been proposed that chromium may help in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, at present clinical studies do not provide any evidence to support this claim5,6.

How much do I need?

It is extremely difficult to accurately measure the chromium content of food2.

Due to a lack of information on chromium dietary requirements the European Food Standards Agency (EFSA) has concluded that the setting of an AI for chromium is not appropriate7.

Relatively few foods have been accurately measured and perhaps the best advice is that foods high in simple sugars contribute to a chromium loss, the highest chromium bearing food is said to be broccoli8.

Review date: 1/12/2024

Next review date: 1/10/2025