Benefits of Copper

Here are 7 Benefits of Copper | # 7 will Shock You!

In day to day life, we hardly think about copper and might even neglect copper in our food. But this is not good as copper can in fact be very beneficial to us!

In this article, you are going to learn about some of the benefits of copper, and a list of easy to find food with high levels of copper!

Nowadays humans are more aware of what we are putting into our bodies and are able to manage our various intakes of vitamins and minerals.

Today we can easily get copper from many sources and it is already present in many foods we eat regularly.

Functions of Copper

Before we talk more about copper, you should know about the functions of copper. Below are the 7 Main functions of copper:

It is responsible for the creation of red blood cells.
It is also responsible for blood pressure and Heart rate maintenance.
It helps in absorbing iron contents in our bodies.
It helps in preventing inflammation of the prostate.
It helps in the development of bone, and also helps in the maintenance of it.
It is also responsible for healthy regulation connective tissues and organs like the brain and heart.
It helps in activating the immune system.

Benefits of Copper

So, here are the top 10 benefits of copper that may force you to take another look at adding more copper to your diet. Copper can be advantageous to us in the following ways:

#1 Helps to Prevent Arthritis

Maintaining a proper amount of copper in our body helps in prevention or delay in arthritis. This is the reason why people are recommended wearing copper bracelets, drink water from copper bottles and also use other accessories made up of copper.

#2 Reduce Production of Damaged Cells

It is been published in researches that copper contains antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help in reducing the production of damaging cells in our body which causes disease.

For many cancer patients, it is highly recommended to have a copper rich diet.

#3 Good for Heart

Copper helps in the improvement of cardiovascular control of our bodies. It is been proved that people who have high blood pressure and cholesterol tend to lack more copper in their diets and bodies.

#4 Maintains Collagen

Copper is also responsible for the maintenance of collagen. Without copper, the body will not be able to recover the damaged connective tissues. This can be a serious issue for our health and even our appearance!

#5 Deficiency of Copper can be Very Dangerous

Copper’s deficiency can reduce the number of white blood cells in our body, which is responsible for the immune system of our body.

A person with a low white cell count can be more at risk for infectious diseases.

Here are some other problems and symptoms which could signify low copper levels inside someone’s body:

Anemia
Bone loss
Low body Temperature
Less white cells
Irregularity in heart rates
Thyroid problems

#6 Optimize the Growth of Bone Density

Copper can help to prevent the body from conditions like osteoporosis. A good amount of copper can help to improve or optimize the growth of bone density.

#7 Good for Your Brain

Copper is also responsible for the proper functioning of the brain! It is key for the neurological processes and healthy growth of the brain. It is also responsible for many of it’s core cognitive functions. So the very thing reading this article now, is being helped by copper!

Risks of Copper Deficiency or Surplus

A deficiency of copper also can cause a lot of health problems or even lead to disease.

However a surplus amount of copper can also be harmful to brain functions, so we must be always be careful not to overload ourselves with this mineral either.

Neuro-degeneration is one of the conditions that can been seen in adults which could be a result of a copper imbalance in the body.

If you’re worries about an excess of copper in your body or diet, there are several supplements which could reduce the copper levels in our body:

Birth control pills
NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories)
Allopurinol, a gout medication
Penicillamine
Zinc contents
Gastric ulcer medications

However it is important to always talk to your doctor first before trying or pursuing any of these supplements or medicines.

Requirement of Copper in the Body

I hope you now have a greater understanding of the importance of copper in our bodies.

Both a copper deficiency and a surplus can have major affects the human body. So it’s’ important to pay attention to your own levels.

Foods Rich in Copper

Copper is present in various natural ingredients in a wide range of quantities, it is commonly found in foods such as:

Oysters
Chicken
Cashew
Nuts and Seeds
Beans
Potatoes
Oysters
Yeast
Cocoa
Cashews
Filberts
Pistachios
Pecans
Macadamia nuts
Soybeans
Navy beans
Lentils
Semisweet chocolates
Fruits and Veggies
Blackstrap Molasses
Enriched cereal
Cow liver, kidneys, and hearts
Black Paper
Nuts,
Almonds
Yeast
Dried fruits
Lobster
Squid
Mussels
Clams

Conclusion

From various studies and articles we can conclude that copper is an essential element and nutrient which is responsible for a lot of functions in our body.

As you now know, it can help with heart rate regulation, blood cell creation, bone density maintenance, regulation of intestine activities and also helps in proper brain functions.

Your copper intake can be improved by a better diet, supplementation or even by using various copper accessories like copper bracelets, copper socks, copper water bottles, etc. Learn more about those here!

Always talk to your doctor before you make any changes to your health routine. This blog is just meant to be a resource for information widely available on copper and is in no way medical or professional advice or an official recommendation in any way. Always do your own research.

References :

https://www.verywellhealth.com/copper-benefits-4178854

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/copper-your-health#1

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/288165

https://www.healthline.com/health/heavy-metal-good-for-you-copper#function