About this page: Data is drawn from Nutriofia's structured database of published sources (CoFID, USDA, and published analytical literature). The coverage bar shows what percentage of our 1136 foods have been measured for Chromium. This is a research tool — nothing here constitutes medical advice.

About Chromium

Micronutrient

Chromium is a trace mineral that enhances the action of insulin and is involved in carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism. It may improve insulin sensitivity, though the evidence from clinical trials is modest. Wholegrains, broccoli, green beans, grape juice, and brewer's yeast are sources. UK intake is generally adequate on a varied diet.

⚠️ Too little

True dietary deficiency is rare. Impaired glucose tolerance and elevated circulating insulin have been described in experimental deficiency. Interest in chromium as a supplement for blood sugar management has not been strongly supported by clinical evidence.

🚫 Too much

Trivalent chromium (the form in food) has very low toxicity and no established upper limit from dietary sources. Hexavalent chromium (an industrial pollutant) is highly toxic and carcinogenic — this is distinct from dietary chromium.

Sources: NIH ODS · LPI Oregon State

Daily Reference Intake

EU NRV (adults)
40 µg
Nutrient Reference Value
per European Regulation 1169/2011
Best plant source (per 100g)
37 µg
Wheatgerm
= 93% of daily NRV
Unit
µg
Measurement unit
used in our database
⚠️ Partial database coverage (3.2%)
Only 36 of 1136 foods in the database have a recorded value for Chromium. The ranked list below shows what we have — foods not in the list simply haven't been measured yet rather than containing none.

Foods Containing Chromium

36 foods with recorded data, ranked highest first. Values per 100g fresh weight.

# Food Per 100g % NRV Level
★ Wheatgerm 37 µg 93%
★ Broccoli 12 µg 30%
★ Wheat Berries (Wholegrain Kernels) 10 µg 25%
4 Raisins, dried 8 µg 20%
5 Bulgur Wheat 8 µg 20%
6 Rye (Grain) 7 µg 18%
7 Barley (Hulled/Pot) 7 µg 18%
8 Oat Bran 7 µg 18%
9 Oat Groats 6 µg 15%
10 Almonds (raw) 5 µg 13%
11 Barley (Pearled) 5 µg 13%
12 Rolled Oats 5 µg 13%
13 Garlic, raw 5 µg 13%
14 Bread, brown, average 3 µg 8%
15 Prunes, ready-to-eat, semi-dried 3 µg 8%
16 Pistachios (raw) 3 µg 8%
17 Hazelnuts (raw) 3 µg 8%
18 Cashew nuts, raw 3 µg 8%
19 Brazil nuts (raw) 3 µg 8%
20 Figs, ready-to-eat, semi-dried 3 µg 8%
21 Peanuts, dry roasted, unsalted 3 µg 8%
22 Rice (Brown, Short Grain) 3 µg 8%
23 Spinach, baby, raw 3 µg 8%
24 Walnuts (raw) 3 µg 8%
25 Rice (Brown, Long Grain) 3 µg 8%
26 Lettuce (Romaine) 2.1 µg 5%
27 Pine nuts (raw) 2 µg 5%
28 Sesame seeds 2 µg 5%
29 Chia seeds, dried 2 µg 5%
30 Golden linseed (flax) 2 µg 5%
31 Flaxseed (linseed), ground 2 µg 5%
32 Green Beans 1.6 µg 4%
33 Macadamia nuts (raw) 1.5 µg 4%
34 Lettuce, average, raw 1.5 µg 4%
35 Pecans (raw) 1.5 µg 4%
36 Potatoes, boiled (unsalted) 1.4 µg 4%

* Values are per 100g fresh weight. % NRV = percentage of EU Nutrient Reference Value. Bar shows relative level compared to the highest value across all foods in the database.

Data sources: Standard nutrients: McCance & Widdowson's Composition of Foods Integrated Dataset (CoFID), Public Health England. EU Nutrient Reference Values: Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 (Annex XIII). All values per 100g fresh weight unless stated. Nothing here constitutes medical advice. Nutriofia database · Argarth Collective Ltd · Company No. 16864945.