He copper is a chemical element which belongs to the group of metals and whose atomic number is 29 . This transition metal (for the place it occupies in the periodic table of the elements) is characterized by its brightness and its reddish hue.
With aluminum and the iron , copper is one of the most used metals. This is due, in part, to its great ability to conduct electricity , which allows it to be used in the manufacture of electronic and electrical parts and in the production of cables. Copper is also a malleable and ductile material that never loses its mechanical properties.
The human being, in fact, discovered the benefits of copper in the Prehistory . It is known as Copper Age to the period in which the man He began to make various tools with this metal.
Beyond the native copper (in state natural), various alloys are also used. The most popular is copper and tin alloy, which is called bronze . This alloy has a high resistance against corrosion and friction. The copper and zinc alloy, on the other hand, is called brass .
Copper in food
It is known that human beings need minerals for several of their vital functions, among which the production of hormones and bone formation stand out. To get these nutrients, the ideal is to carry a diet varied and balanced.
The presence of copper in the crust of our planet is abundant. Its role in our organism is essential; It is a very important element for life as it is involved in the development of red blood cells and helps maintain the state of bones, nerves and blood vessels. He human being incorporates copper through drinking water and food such as legumes (beans, chickpeas and lentils, among others).
This micromineral is also necessary to assimilate and use iron, allowing it to be distributed properly and act as it should. As can be seen, the functions of copper in our body are many and of great importance; let's see some more below:
* it helps regulate enzymatic reactions, transport iron and produce ATP (the kind of energy our body can use);
* participate in the formation of hemoglobin and several enzymes, in addition to the aforementioned red blood cells;
* collaborates in the degradation of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates;
* it helps the body to assimilate vitamin C, so beneficial to our general health;
* In addition to collaborating in the maintenance of the bones, it also does in the Central Nervous System .
In addition to the food sources mentioned above, we can also find copper in cereals, whole foods, nuts, raisins and plums.
When there is not enough copper in our organism , it is possible that certain pathologies arise, among which are osteoporosis, anemia, depigmentation (the skin is discolored), abnormalities in the central nervous system (both its degeneration and various alterations), excess gray hair and mineral loss
It is important to note that excess copper is also not beneficial for our body, since it can become very toxic . Among the disorders that can cause toxicity of this mineral are neurological problems, kidney and liver disorders. For this reason, workers who are exposed to copper in their daily tasks must protect their bodies with special equipment and follow certain preventive measures; business negligence is punishable by law.
