Nickel, a trace mineral, is a silvery metal that is present in the soil. The human body requires an extremely tiny amount of this mineral in order to function. However, around 15% of the population is actually allergic to nickel, and compared to most allergic reactions, nickel causes some of the worst ones. Though tiny amounts of nickel probably will not cause reactions, it still pays to be wary. Here are 10 foods high in nickel that you should eat sparingly or avoid altogether:
1. Chocolate
There’s no denying that chocolate is one of the most powerful substances on earth, at least when it comes to making a person feel better. Chocolate is not only delicious, but also boosts production of endorphins and serotonin, a.k.a. the happiness hormone. This is why extremely stressed people don’t hesitate to reach for that chocolate bar despite its reputation as a fattening food. However, there’s sad news for people allergic to nickel – chocolate is full of it. According to the Agency of Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, dark chocolate contains a concentration of 2.6 µg/g of nickel, while milk chocolate has 1.2 µg/g.