Nickel (Ni)

Properties

Blood sugar regulator

Nickel tends to increase the effect of insulin, so it helps to lower blood sugar levels.

Promotes iron absorption

Adequate levels of nickel in the diet can be important in combating anaemia by helping the body to absorb iron more effectively.

Hypotensive

By counteracting the effects of adrenaline, nickel helps to lower blood pressure and can therefore be an ally for people with high blood pressure.

Nickel allergy is common, affecting 10% of the world's population.

It causes redness, itching or other skin reactions after wearing jewellery or metal objects.

Food allergy to nickel can also occur after eating foods that contain a significant amount of nickel.

It manifests as itching and rashes all over the body.

While contact allergy to nickel is very common, food allergy is less common.

The ANSES recommendation is 75 µg of nickel per day for an adult.

Nickel deficiency is little known because it is rare.

This is because nickel is stored in the lungs and thyroid gland, which prevents deficiency even at low dietary intakes.

Nickel is toxic when consumed in large quantities.

In particular, there is a resurgence of lung, laryngeal and prostate cancer in people who have been exposed to nickel in occupational settings.

It is also a possible human carcinogen and an allergen for many people.

Nickel absorption is reduced in the presence of iron, copper or zinc.

Similarly, vitamin C or dairy products can inhibit its absorption.

On the other hand, in the case of anaemia, a sufficient intake of nickel can favour the absorption of iron.

Nickel is a metal that has become very common, its atomic number is 28.

The atomic symbol for nickel is Ni, its atomic mass is 58.6934 and its density is 8.902 g.cm-3.

The nickel atom has two different electronic configurations.

Nickel is mainly used to make alloys and coins.

It is a white metal with a specific gravity of 8.9.

It is stable in air and water and does not oxidise easily, hence its preferred use.