Zinc

Zinc is a hard, bluish-white metal. It is one of the most common metals on Earth. People have used zinc for thousands of years to make tools and mix with other metals. Your body needs a little zinc every day to stay healthy. You can get zinc from foods like meat, beans, and nuts.

Zinc Protects Metal

Zinc is often used to coat iron and steel to stop them from rusting. This is called galvanizing. Nails, buckets, and fences are often coated with zinc. The zinc takes the damage from water and air instead of the metal underneath. This helps things last much longer outside.

Zinc and Your Body

Zinc helps your body fight off colds and heal cuts. It also helps you grow and keeps your skin healthy. Some sunscreens use zinc to block the sun's rays. Doctors sometimes tell people to take zinc when they are sick. Most people get enough zinc just from the food they eat.

Fun Facts

• Most U.S. pennies today are almost entirely made of zinc.
• Mixing zinc with copper makes a metal called brass.
• White paint on lifeguards' noses is often zinc to stop sunburn.

Did You Know?

Zinc has been used as a medicine for over 2,000 years to help heal wounds.