How does Chromium get into your water?
ZeroWater has dedicated a news article which addressed this contaminant before. You can find it here on our news site: Chromium Heavy Metal In My Tap Water, Should I Be Worried?
Chromium is an odourless and tasteless metallic element. Chromium is mainly found naturally in rocks, plants, soil and volcanic dust, and animals.
The most common forms of chromium that can be found in natural waters in our biosphere are:
- Trivalent chromium (chromium-3)
- Hexavalent chromium (chromium-6)
Chromium-3 is present in many food products you consume daily. It is found in many vegetables, fruits, meats, grains, and also yeast.
Chromium-6 occurs or can be found where erosion of natural chromium deposits takes place. It can also be produced by a variety of industrial processes.
There are demonstrated instances of chromium being released to the environment by leakage, poor storage, or inadequate industrial waste disposal practices.
The Health Implications of Chromium
Chromium is an essential trace mineral. We all need it to ensure our metabolism keeps ticking over.
It is known to improve insulin sensitivity and enhance protein, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism in your body.
Chromium is present in the following food sources:
- liver
- brewers' yeast
- Broccoli: 1 cup contains 22 µg
- Grape juice: 1 cup contains 8 µg
- Turkey breast: 3 ounces contains 2 µg
- English wheat muffin: one whole wheat muffin contains 4 µg
- Potatoes, mashed: 1 cup contains 3 µg
- Green beans: 1 cup contains 2 µg
- Red wine: 5 ounces contains between 1 and 13 µg
Nutritional supplements are like medication. If you are considering taking supplements you should use them with care or ask a Dietitian or your GP for guidance.
Healthy food is always the better and safer source of nutrients like Chromium.
The Adequate Intake (AI) of Chromium for ages 9 years and above ranges from 21 to 25 micrograms/day:
- for females. 21-25 µg/day
- for males 21-35 µg/day
- for infants and children, up to 6 months: 0.2 µg/day
- from 7 to 12 months: 5.5 µg/day
- from 1 to 3 years: 11 µg/day
- from 4 to 8 years: 15 µg/day
As Chromium is present in a varied selection of foods, Chromium deficiencies are extremely rare. Exposure to Chromium-6 could result in allergic dermatitis (skin reactions).
