Chromium has two approved health claims in the European Union: it contributes to normal macronutrient metabolism and to the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels. Both are valid at a daily intake of at least 40 µg. That's it — nothing about weight loss, nothing about a sweet tooth.
Chromium is involved in the action of insulin, and since fluctuations in blood sugar levels are associated with sweet cravings, the logical reasoning was: supplement with chromium, stabilize sugar, get rid of cravings. The reasoning is nice, but the evidence is weak and inconsistent. Some studies have found some effect on appetite, most have not, and the results vary depending on who was studied.
That's why EFSA didn't approve the appetite or body weight claim — and that's why you won't find it on the packaging of a legally sold supplement.
If you have enough chromium in your diet, additional intake will not add anything. Chromium deficiency is rare in the general population. Rich sources include whole grains, broccoli, nuts, meat, and brewer's yeast.
In supplements, you'll most often find chromium picolinate , which is better absorbed than inorganic chromium salts. Other forms are chromium polynicotinate and chromium chloride; the latter has the lowest absorbability.
Think of chromium as a safeguard, not a tool. If the supplement you take contains at least 40 µg of chromium, you are getting the substance in an amount at which the approved claim makes sense. However, you deal with your sweet tooth differently — with enough protein and fiber in your diet, regularity, and sleep. These are factors with a much greater and more demonstrable impact.
Related: ADI-PEX® composition
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