8 Health Benefits Of Copper, Deficiency Signs, & Side Effects

Boost brain, joint, and bone health along with building immunity with this important mineral.

Reviewed by Dr. Abby Kramer, DC
Written by Ravi Teja Tadimalla, Professional Certificate In Food, Nutrition & Health

Edited by Arshiya Syeda

Fact-checked by Aparna Mallampalli, BEd (Biological Sciences), MSc (Microbiology), Diploma In Nutrition • Sep 13, 2023

8 Health Benefits Of Copper, Deficiency Signs, & Side Effects

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liver cirrhosisⁱXAn end-stage liver disease that causes scarring of the liver tissue and permanently damages it due to conditions like hepatitis. Copper is known for its conductivity, antimicrobial properties and as one of the major trace minerals that are vital for harmonious bodily functions. But, unfortunately, the varied benefits of copper are not widely known. Did you know that it can effectively combat all neural ailments and enhance brain health? It can also boost your immune system. Learn how copper can improve your overall health and the other benefits it offers from the article below. Scroll down to know more!

What’s Up With Copper?

There are quite a number of ways copper can benefit you. The first of them is it provides energy to the brain and improves the functioning of the nervous system. It also helps in the production of red blood cells – it aids the process and boosts your immunity. It achieves this along with iron.

Copper also contributes to the health of bones, nerves, and even promotes iron absorption (offering an entirely different set of benefits) in a way.

Well, there’s more. Why don’t you just check them out?

What Are The Health Benefits Of Copper?

1. Boosts Your Brain Health

Copper is one important ingredient of enzymes that activate the brain’s neurotransmitters. New research indicates that adequate copper levels are essential to brain health. The brain takes in 20 percent of the oxygen you inhale. And since most copper in the body is found in the brain, the organ sure needs adequate copper (1).

Neurodegeneration in adults is often linked to an imbalance in copper levels. Also, the symptoms of copper deficiency include the inability to concentrate, lack of positivity, and poor mood which affects the overall wellness and happiness of a person.

2. Boosts Your Joint And Bone Health

Woman with elbow joint pain may benefit from copper

Image: IStock

Copper contributes to bone mineral density, and low levels of the mineral can lead to osteoporosis (2). It also plays a role in collagen health, which is an important structural component in our bodies and promotes youthfulness and beauty. Insufficient copper can lead to depletion of collagen, and this eventually results in joint dysfunction.

The anti-inflammatory properties of copper can also ease arthritis pain.

And, by the way, there are some claims going on about copper bracelets and how they can treat joint pains. Proponents claim that the anti-inflammatory properties of the copper in the bracelet can get transferred to the body upon contact. Let me tell you that there is no research to support this claim (3).

3. Strengthens Your Immunity

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As we discussed earlier, copper, along with iron, helps in the production of red blood cells. This builds your immunity. Deficiency in copper can lead to neutropenia, which is a lower amount of white blood cells – and research says this condition can cause one to fall ill more often as it reduces endurance and delays healing. These effects are more pronounced in infants, which is why they need to have sufficient copper levels more than anyone else (4).

4. Promotes Metabolism

Copper supports over 50 enzymatic reactions that take place in your body on a daily basis. This supports a healthy metabolism.

The mineral also plays a role in the synthesis of ATP, or adenosine triphosphate – which is the body’s source of energy. Which is why deficiency of copper can lead to a sluggish metabolism.

5. Contributes To Proper Growth And Development

Copper deficiency, unfortunately, is quite common in third world countries and is quite visible in children – where kids suffer from stunted growth and other developmental complications. This is because copper deficiency can affect joint and bone development and even the development of the brain.

Additionally, copper is also required for the oxygenation of red blood cells – and low levels of the mineral can mean your organs do not receive adequate levels of oxygen. This can lead to developmental and longevity issues. Studies show that deficiency in copper can also delay growth in infants.

6. Supports Your Thyroid Health

Woman with thyroid issues may benefit from copper

Image: IStock

Copper works with potassium, zinc, calcium, and potassium (essential nutrients for thyroid health) and promotes thyroid health. As a result, it can help prevent conditions like hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidismⁱXA condition characterized by an overactive thyroid gland that accelerates metabolism and causes weight loss, hand tremors, etc. .

Studies suggest that how the metabolism of copper is essential to prevent or manage thyroid disease (5).

7. Delays Aging

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Studies show that copper is as important to anti-aging as retinol and alpha hydroxy acidsⁱXA class of chemical compounds used in various skin care products that have anti-aging and exfoliating properties. . And then, there are copper peptides, a copper complex that can reduce inflammation and keep the skin looking younger and fresher. Since copper helps build collagen, and since collagen is also important to maintain skin elasticity, it should be safe to say that copper can improve skin firmness and reduce wrinkles.

Studies also state that copper stabilizes skin proteins, improving the overall skin health and vitality (6). It also helps in the production of melanin, which is the pigment that protects your skin from UV radiation.

8. Copper Can Boost Your Hair Health

Copper peptides are also known to increase the size of the hair follicles and subsequently stop hair thinning and provide strength to the strands. And since copper helps in the production of melanin, it can even prevent premature graying of hair.

These are the benefits of copper. These tell us how important the trace mineral is, don’t they? Inadequate levels of this mineral can lead to complications. Let’s see what they are.

What Are The Signs Of Copper Deficiency?

$Woman with fractured arm may have copper deficiency$

Image: IStock

Deficiency of copper can lead to the following issues:

Anemia
Bone fractures
Thyroid issues
Osteoporosis
Loss of pigmentation of hair and skin
Menkes disease (neurodevelopmental delays in infants)

The only way to prevent copper deficiency is by ensuring you take enough of it. This takes us to the next section.

What Are The Foods Rich In Copper?

The RDA of copper is 900 mcg a day for both adults and adolescents. And the upper limit is 10 mg per day. Keeping that in mind, you can include the following foods in your diet as required:

Beef liver – 3 oz contains 4.49 mg, which meets 641% of the RDA.
Mushrooms (shitake) – 1 cup (cooked) contains 1.29 mg, which meets 184% of the RDA.
Cashews – 1 oz contains 0.62 mg, which meets 88% of the RDA.
Kale – 2 cups (raw) contain 0.48 mg, which meets 68% of the RDA.
Cocoa powder – 1 tablespoon (unsweetened) contains 0.41 mg, which meets 58% of the RDA.
Almonds – 1 oz contains 0.29 mg, which meets 41% of the RDA.
Avocado – ½ fruit contains 0.12 mg, which meets 17% of the RDA.

Quick Tip

Copper is also found in other foods like oysters and other shellfish, whole grains, beans, potatoes, yeast, dark leafy greens, and black pepper.

All good. But do you know that excess copper in your body can cause issues?

What Are The Side Effects Of Excess Copper?

Issues During Pregnancy And Breastfeeding

Taking copper in higher doses during pregnancy and breastfeeding can be unsafe. Pregnant women above 19 years of age must take no more than 10 mg of copper a day.

Wilson’s Disease

Excess copper levels in the body can lead to copper toxicity, which can affect the major organs of the body.

Other Side Effects

Headache, dizziness, weakness, liver cirrhosis, and jaundice.

Drug Interactions

Excess copper, especially in the supplemental form, can interact with birth control pills, NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen, penicillamineⁱXA medication that binds to the excess copper in the body and leads it to leave through urine. , allopurinol, and other zinc supplements.

Quick Tip

Copper supplements are also available in the form of pills and capsules. Additionally, copper can be ingested intravenously.

In This Article

Infographic: Important Benefits Of Copper

Copper is an essential mineral for your overall well-being. It plays a vital role in numerous body functions, from boosting the immune system to aiding collagen production. Check out the infographic below to know more about the most important health benefits of copper.

important benefits of copper (infographic)

Save the high-quality PDF version on your device now.

Download Infographic

Although the benefits of copper are wide-ranging, they are often not talked about. From enhancing the brain and bone health and immunity to increasing metabolism and slowing down premature aging, this trace mineral can work wonders for your body. More importantly, it plays a role in thyroid health, preventing conditions like hypo and hyperthyroidism. So, make sure you take 900 mcg of copper a day by consuming foods like beef liver, mushrooms, cashews, kale, cocoa powder, almonds, avocado, etc.

However, you cannot take more than 10 mg of copper a day. Otherwise, you may end up experiencing side effects like Wilson’s disease and drug interactions. So, practice caution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is coffee high in copper?

No, coffee is not high in copper. It contains negligible amounts of copper at 0.4 μg for every 100 ml.

Are eggs high in copper?

Eggs have a decent amount of copper. Hundred grams of hard boiled eggs contain 0.013 mg of copper.

Does drinking water in a copper vessel have any benefits?

Yes, anecdotal evidence suggests that drinking water in a copper vessel has numerous benefits, like improved digestion, weight loss, and hypertension control. It may be possible as storing water in a copper vessel for a few hours can help purify the water (7) and aid suitable amounts of copper to leach into it. While this is highly practiced in Ayurveda, there are no relevant scientific studies to support the practice.

Key Takeaways

Copper may help activate the brain’s neurotransmitters so, copper deficiency may affect brain health.
Joint dysfunction is a major issue that results from copper deficiency because insufficient copper may lead to the depletion of collagen.
You need sufficient copper to improve immunity, fertility, growth, and skin and hair health.
Foods such as beef liver, cashews, almonds, and avocados are rich in copper.

References

1. “Copper signaling in the brain and beyond”. US National Library of Medicine.
2. “Mechanisms for copper acquisition…”. US National Library of Medicine.
3. “Copper bracelets and magnetic wrist…”. US National Library of Medicine.
4. “Copper”. Oregon State University.
5. “Zinc, copper, manganese…”. US National Library of Medicine.
6. “Using copper to improve the…”. US National Library of Medicine.
7. Storing drinking-water in copper pots kills contaminating diarrhoeagenic bacteria
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22524115/

Discover the amazing benefits of copper that no one ever talks about! Learn how copper can improve your health and wellbeing. Watch the video to learn more.

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