Chromium Picolinate
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Chromium Picolinate (Chromium(III) picolinate) is a dietary supplement with 8 published peer-reviewed studies involving 1,580 participants, researched for Blood Sugar Regulation, Insulin Sensitivity, Weight Management and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Blood Sugar Regulation
StrongInsulin Sensitivity
StrongWeight Management
StrongCarbohydrate Metabolism
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Blood Sugar Regulation
To evaluate chromium picolinate on glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate chromium picolinate on glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes.
Dose
1,000 µg/day chromium picolinate
Participants
180 type 2 diabetic patients
Duration
4 months
Results
Chromium picolinate supplementation significantly reduced HbA1c (from 8.5% to 7.5%) and fasting blood glucose compared to placebo. Insulin resistance markers also improved significantly.
How They Measured It
HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial glucose
To assess chromium picolinate supplementation on glycaemic outcomes in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess chromium picolinate supplementation on glycaemic outcomes in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance.
Dose
200 µg/day or 1,000 µg/day chromium picolinate
Participants
96 adults with impaired glucose tolerance
Duration
4 months
Results
Both doses of chromium picolinate improved glucose tolerance. The 1,000 µg dose significantly reduced 2-hour OGTT glucose and HOMA-IR compared to placebo. Chromium appears to enhance insulin signalling.
How They Measured It
Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), insulin levels, HOMA-IR
Insulin Sensitivity
To evaluate the effect of chromium supplementation on insulin sensitivity and glycaemia across trials.
Study Type
Meta-analysis
Purpose
To evaluate the effect of chromium supplementation on insulin sensitivity and glycaemia across trials.
Dose
200-1,000 µg/day
Participants
Pooled data from 15 RCTs (1,150+ participants)
Duration
8-24 weeks
Results
Meta-analysis showed significant reductions in HbA1c (-0.54%) and fasting glucose (-0.85 mmol/L) with chromium supplementation. Effects were greater in populations with frank type 2 diabetes.
How They Measured It
Pooled HbA1c, fasting glucose, HOMA-IR from RCTs
To investigate chromium picolinate on insulin sensitivity and body composition in obese non-diabetic adults.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To investigate chromium picolinate on insulin sensitivity and body composition in obese non-diabetic adults.
Dose
400 µg/day chromium picolinate
Participants
44 obese adults
Duration
16 weeks
Results
Chromium picolinate significantly improved insulin-stimulated glucose disposal compared to placebo. Modest reductions in fat mass were also observed without changes in total body weight.
How They Measured It
Euglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamp, DXA body composition
Weight Management
To evaluate chromium picolinate supplementation on food intake, carbohydrate cravings, and body weight.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate chromium picolinate supplementation on food intake, carbohydrate cravings, and body weight.
Dose
1,000 µg/day chromium picolinate
Participants
113 overweight adults with carbohydrate cravings
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Chromium picolinate significantly reduced food intake and carbohydrate cravings compared to placebo. Modest but significant reductions in body weight were observed in the chromium group.
How They Measured It
Food intake diary, carbohydrate craving questionnaire, body weight
To assess the effect of chromium supplementation on body weight and composition.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To assess the effect of chromium supplementation on body weight and composition.
Dose
Various (200-1,000 µg/day)
Participants
Pooled from 9 RCTs
Duration
Various
Results
Chromium supplementation was associated with a small but significant reduction in body weight (-1.1 kg) compared to placebo. Effects on body composition were modest and heterogeneous across studies.
How They Measured It
Pooled body weight, BMI, and fat mass changes across RCTs
Carbohydrate Metabolism
To investigate how chromium picolinate modulates glucose transporter (GLUT4) expression.
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To investigate how chromium picolinate modulates glucose transporter (GLUT4) expression.
Dose
10 µg/kg chromium picolinate
Participants
Diabetic Zucker rats
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Chromium picolinate supplementation significantly upregulated GLUT4 expression in skeletal muscle and enhanced insulin receptor phosphorylation, providing a mechanistic basis for its glucose-lowering effects.
How They Measured It
GLUT4 protein expression in skeletal muscle, insulin receptor signalling assays
To assess chromium picolinate on glycaemic response to carbohydrate-rich meals.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess chromium picolinate on glycaemic response to carbohydrate-rich meals.
Dose
500 µg chromium picolinate 30 min before meal
Participants
26 healthy adults
Duration
Acute crossover trial
Results
Chromium picolinate supplementation significantly reduced postprandial glucose and insulin AUC compared to placebo following a carbohydrate-rich meal, suggesting improved glycaemic efficiency.
How They Measured It
Postprandial glucose and insulin AUC following standardised carbohydrate meal
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Chromium Picolinate research
There are currently 10 peer-reviewed studies on Chromium Picolinate (Chromium(III) picolinate), involving 1,580 total participants. Research covers Blood sugar regulation, Insulin sensitivity, Weight management and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Very Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Very Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (7 human studies, 1 animal study), and reported outcomes.
Chromium Picolinate has been researched for: Blood sugar regulation, Insulin sensitivity, Weight management, Carbohydrate metabolism. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 7 out of 10 studies are human trials. The remaining 1 is an animal study. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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