Chromium
Cr · last AI check: 2026-07-19
In short
A trace element studied mainly in the context of glucose metabolism. Its requirement is hard to establish precisely.
What it does in the body
The sentences below are officially authorised EU health claims.
Chromium contributes to the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels EU health claim
Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 of 16 May 2012, Annex — list of permitted health claims · register entry: 262, 4667 · EFSA opinion: 2010;8(10):1732; 2011;9(6):2203
Condition of use on a product: The product is at least a source of Chromium.
How much you need
| Country / organisation | Group | Value | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| NASEM (US/CA) | adult men | AI Adequate intake — an approximate value used when data are insufficient to set an exact requirement (RDA). |
Reference values from different countries are not directly comparable — they differ in definition and age group. How to read reference values →
Every value states its source — click it to see the document, location and link.Data and content are prepared and cross-checked against source documents by several independent AI models. They have not been audited by a human editor.Before citing a value, check it in the source document — verification is automated (AI), not editorial.
Worth knowing
Chromium is one of the harder trace elements to study — its tissue concentrations are so low that samples are easily contaminated during measurement, which has made it difficult to establish reliable reference values. Because of this, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded in its opinion that the available data are insufficient to set a reference intake value — unlike most other trace elements on this site.
Other organisations, including the US-Canadian NASEM, have set indicative adequate intake (AI) values based on amounts observed in the typical diet, rather than on an established physiological requirement — an important methodological difference, described in more detail on Reading reference values correctly. The Polish dietary reference values (PZH-PIB) follow EFSA and likewise give no reference value for chromium — in the summary tables of the 2024 standards, chromium simply doesn't appear, unlike the other trace elements.
Where to find it
broccoli · wholegrain products · nuts · meat
This material is for information and education. It does not replace advice from a doctor or dietitian. For health matters, consult a qualified medical professional.