Zinc

What Zinc is Good For

Mineral. Metal. All-round health superstar. Zinc may be at the bottom of the alphabet, but it should be top of your list of necessary ingredients. Find out why now!


How Zinc Helps the Body

Zinc plays an important role in lots of bodily functions. It makes its presence known in every single cell, helping in nerve function, metabolism, and immune function, to name just a few. Perhaps most interestingly, it is partly responsible for your senses of taste and smell. So, remember that next time you are about to tuck into a delicious dinner (1)!

How Zinc Boosts the Immune System

Zinc is invaluable in the immune system and can help lessen the effect of the common cold (2). It does this by supporting the enzymes needed to fight viruses in the body.

How Zinc Fights Acne

It has also shown itself to be very useful in the fight against acne (3), thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to stop the acne bacteria growing. It decreases oil production in the skin, so your pores are less likely to get clogged.

How Zinc Helps You Sleep

If restless nights are your issue, some zinc before bed can have a blissful effect (4). And when you wake up in the morning, it might give you that boost of energy you require (5)! This is because of its effect on the hormone melatonin. It boosts melatonin production, so that it has an almost sedative effect, but this lasts throughout the night, so you are less likely to wake up for no reason.


  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493231/
  2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28515951/
  3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29193602/
  4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5713303/#:~:text=Compared%20with%20the%20placebo%20group,subjects%20(Figure%201A).&text=Dietary%20zinc%20improves%20sleep%20quality,increases%20NREM%20sleep%20in%20mice.
  5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8133867/#:~:text=Zinc%20provides%20the%20energy%20needed,the%20functional%20capacity%20of%20muscles.&text=Surprisingly%2C%20fatigue%20in%20the%20elderly%20usually%20remains%20untreated%20and%20overlooked.