Nickel is a silver coloured metal that is naturally found in the environment, it is a tough metal whose salts are nearby in all soils. In human body extremely small quantities of this element are required for optimal health, but according to the MELISA Foundation, the consumption of the nickel or exposure of the nickel can trigger further allergic reactions than any erstwhile element. Around 15 percent of the human inhabitants are suffering from a nickel allergy.
Most of the human contact is endorsed to jewellery, food and also individuals can be exposed to the nickel in a variety of other ways. The individual who suffers from nickel allergy should be avoiding foods that are rich in nickel element.
A nickel allergy is an adverse immune reaction that will occurr when someone comes into contact with a products and food that contains the nickel. In people with nickel allergies, the immune system mistakes nickel as a treacherous interloper.
The immune system of the people begins to generate chemicals to clash against the causes of the substances that are triggering an allergic reaction. An allergic reaction to the nickel is one of the nearly most common causes of an itchy skin rash. This can also cause other changes in the skin, such as redness and blistering.
Bad Foods (foods with high in Nickel content) – foods to avoid
The following are the foods that contains high content of nickel.
1 Chocolate/Cocoa Powder
According to the Agency of the toxic Substance and Diseases Registry, chocolate is one of the foods with the highest nickel content. The nickel content of the chocolate is high due to the extensive enlightening process and steady contact with the stainless steel mechanism. Milk chocolate has a nickel concentration of 1.2 ug/g and pure cocoa powder has a nickel concentration of 9.8 ug/g according to “Principles of Food Chemistry”.
2 Cashews
According to the “Principles of Food Chemistry”, the nickel concentration of the cashews is 5.1 ug/g. Cashews contain relatively high concentration of the nickel when compared to other items.
3 Kidney Beans
Red kidney beans are another dietary source that contains high content of nickel. According to the “Principles of Food Chemistry” the concentration of the red kidney beans is 0.45 ug/g.
4 Spinach
Spinach contains high levels of the naturally occurring nickel. According to the “Principles of Food Chemistry” the concentration of nickel in spinach is 0.39 ug/g.
Other Foods which should be avoided
- Legumes: Lentils and especially dried beans.
- Bean sprouts: these also have a nickel content in them.
- Seeds: Some seeds also contain nickel.
- Nuts: almond, hazelnut and peanuts.
- Soya: soya contain nickel
- Canned meats and fish such as tuna.
- Whole wheat and multigrain flours: These contain high content of nickel. You should avoid wheat and oat bran, oatmeal, brown rice and flower seeds.
Good Foods (foods that are low in Nickel content):
The following are the foods that are having low content of the nickel. These foods do not cause nickel allergy.
- Raw tomatoes, carrots and onions
- Beer
- Apple and citrus fruits and their juices
- Wine
- Fish such as herring, mackerel.
- Poultry, eggs
- Asparagus
- Dill
- Cucumber
- Corn
- Mushrooms
- Peppers
- Aubergine
- Potatoes
- Yeast
Some other foods that contain high content of Nickel are as follows:
- Raspberries
- Millet
- Buckwheat
- Sunflower seeds
- Marzipan
- Sweets containing chocolate
- Tea from dispenser
- Leeks
- Canned fruits
- Dried and fresh figs
- Pineapple
- Prunes
- Multigrain breads
- Salmon
- Beans (green, white, brown)
- Dates
- Baking powder
- Linseed
- Vitamin and minerals supplements containing nickel
Usually vegetables like spinach, lettuce, legumes and nuts contain more nickel than other food items. You should avoid these vegetables and nuts if you are suffering from the nickel allergy.
Some of the products, such as baking powder and cocoa powder , have been found that they contain high content of nickel, perhaps it is related to the nickel leaching during the industrialized process.
