Top Best 10 Copper Rich Foods
Copper is an essential mineral required by the body for bone and connective tissue production, and for coding specific enzymes that range in function from eliminating free radicals to producing melanin. A deficiency in copper can lead to osteoporosis, joint pain, lowered immunity, and since copper is essential for the absorption of iron, anemia. Conversely, over-consumption of copper will lead to cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting in the short term, and can lead to depression, schizophrenia, hypertension, senility, and insomnia in the long term. Copper in large amounts can even be poisonous.
High copper foods include seafood, kale, mushrooms, seeds, nuts, beans, dried fruit, avocados, goat cheese, and fermented soy foods. The stomach needs to be acidic in order to absorb copper and thus antacids interfere with the absorption of copper, as do milk and egg proteins. The current DV for copper is 2mg. Below is a list of high copper foods…
Table of Contents
Top 10 Copper Rich Foods List
1) Beef Liver
3 oz: 14 mg (over 100% DV)
2) Sunflower seeds
¼ cup: 0.63 mg (31% DV)
3) Lentils
1 cup: 0.5mg (25% DV)
4) Almonds
¼ cup: 0.4 mg (20% DV)
5) Dried apricots
1 cup: 0.69mg (34% DV)
6) Dark chocolate
1 square: 0.9 mg (45% DV)
7) Blackstrap molasses
2 tsp: 0.28 mg (14% DV)
8) Asparagus
1 cup: 0.25 (12% DV)
9) Mushrooms
1 cup: 0.43 mg (20% DV)
10) Turnip greens
1 cup, cooked: 0.36 (18% DV)
If you want to boost your copper intake and other essential minerals consume 2 servings a day of these copper rich foods.
Copper Health Benefits
Brain Health
High Copper foods stimulate higher-level thought processes and mental functioning. It has been called a “brain food” because it helps enable certain neural pathways that promote out of the box thinking. A lack of copper during growth may result in incomplete brain and nerve development.
Slows Aging
Copper is a powerful antioxidant that protects cells against free radical damage. It can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, age spots, and even macular degeneration.
Energy Maintenance
Copper plays a role in the synthesis of ATP, the primary molecule of energy storage in our bodies. Without adequate copper, the mitochondria (the cell’s energy producer) are unable to adequately produce ATP, leaving us feeling lethargic and tired. Also, copper helps us utilize iron properly, which helps reduce anemia that can also affect energy levels.
