Safety Profile
Known Safety Concerns
- Copper depletion with chronic high-dose use
- Nausea on empty stomach -- take with food
- UL: 40 mg elemental zinc per day from all sources
- Mixed evidence for cold-symptom efficacy at lozenge doses
Contraindications
- Copper depletion with chronic high-dose use
- Nausea on empty stomach -- take with food
Interactions
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Evidence and Scientific Findings
Ingredient Overview
Zinc gluconate has moderate bioavailability and is widely used in lozenges for cold symptom relief. Clinical evidence for cold duration reduction is mixed. Contains 14% elemental zinc. The same copper depletion risk applies with prolonged high-dose use. Nausea is common when taken on an empty stomach.
Biological and Chemical Classification
- Scientific Name
- Zinc gluconate
Mechanism of Action
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Pharmacokinetics
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Recommended Dosage
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index
Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or RCT)
- Main clinical benefit observed: Mineral
- Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)
- Copper depletion with chronic high-dose use
- Nausea on empty stomach -- take with food
- UL: 40 mg elemental zinc per day from all sources
- Mixed evidence for cold-symptom efficacy at lozenge doses
The available scientific evidence for Zinc Gluconate indicates notable safety signals that warrant caution. Use should be considered carefully and monitored, particularly in sensitive populations or alongside other medications.
Total SETI Score
High risk| Evidence quality | 10/40 |
| Evidence consistency | 20/20 |
| Safety signals | 0/20 |
| Study recency | 10/10 |
| Evidence transparency | 10/10 |
Evidence Summary
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or systematic review)
- 0 studies identified benefits or no safety concern (GREEN)
- 10 studies reported limited or advisory safety evidence (YELLOW)
Evidence Policy
Only peer-reviewed scientific literature indexed in PubMed or comparable databases is included in this evaluation. Commercial websites, blogs, and marketing materials are excluded. All references include direct traceable links to source documents.
Last updated: 24 მარ 2026, 16:43
Evidence Distribution
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWModulating Graphitization and Porosity via a Cross-Linking-Oxidation and Metal-Evaporation Bifunctional Approach in Pitch-Derived Hard Carbon for High-Performance Sodium Storage. ↗Fan H et al.. Modulating Graphitization and Porosity via a Cross-Linking-Oxidation and Metal-Evaporation Bifunctional Approach in Pitch-Derived Hard Carbon for High-Performance Sodium Storage.. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2026. PMID:41697242.PMID 41697242 ↗Journal ACS Appl Mater InterfacesYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41697242/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWA fluorine-absorbing and mechanically elastic binder with triangular architecture enables both bulk- and interface-stable Si anodes. ↗Wang Z et al.. A fluorine-absorbing and mechanically elastic binder with triangular architecture enables both bulk- and interface-stable Si anodes.. Chem Sci. 2026. PMID:41626192.PMID 41626192 ↗Journal Chem SciYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41626192/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWRapid and Visible Efficacy of a Dermocosmetic in Acne Patients With Fair Skin Phototypes: Results of a Randomized Split-Face Study. ↗Queille-Roussel C et al.. Rapid and Visible Efficacy of a Dermocosmetic in Acne Patients With Fair Skin Phototypes: Results of a Randomized Split-Face Study.. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2026. PMID:41487026.PMID 41487026 ↗Journal J Cosmet DermatolYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41487026/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWCardanol biomass-derived hard carbon: a promising anode material for sodium-ion batteries. ↗Li W et al.. Cardanol biomass-derived hard carbon: a promising anode material for sodium-ion batteries.. Dalton Trans. 2026. PMID:41427865.PMID 41427865 ↗Journal Dalton TransYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41427865/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWNon-surgical sterilization of male animals using sclerosing agents: A systematic review of intratesticular and intraepididymal injection protocols. ↗Ribeiro IM et al.. Non-surgical sterilization of male animals using sclerosing agents: A systematic review of intratesticular and intraepididymal injection protocols.. Reprod Biol. 2026. PMID:41223670.PMID 41223670 ↗Journal Reprod BiolYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41223670/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWEfficacy of Polyvinylpyrrolidone-Zinc Gluconate and Taurine Gel in the Prophylaxis of Oral Mucositis in Adults Undergoing High-Dose Chemotherapy and Allogeneic Stem Cell… ↗Porto G et al.. Efficacy of Polyvinylpyrrolidone-Zinc Gluconate and Taurine Gel in the Prophylaxis of Oral Mucositis in Adults Undergoing High-Dose Chemotherapy and Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation.. Diseases. 2025. PMID:41439949.PMID 41439949 ↗Journal DiseasesYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41439949/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWHeterozygous Variants of the SLC39A4 Gene and Possible Increased Risk for Developing Acrodermatitis Enteropathica with Kaposi's Varicelliform Eruption. ↗He Y et al.. Heterozygous Variants of the SLC39A4 Gene and Possible Increased Risk for Developing Acrodermatitis Enteropathica with Kaposi's Varicelliform Eruption.. Am J Case Rep. 2025. PMID:41385451.PMID 41385451 ↗Journal Am J Case RepYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41385451/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWPreparation and Characterization of Chitosan/Polyvinyl Alcohol/Zinc Gluconate Hydrogel: Antibacterial and Zinc Ion Release. ↗Wang Y et al.. Preparation and Characterization of Chitosan/Polyvinyl Alcohol/Zinc Gluconate Hydrogel: Antibacterial and Zinc Ion Release.. Polymers (Basel). 2025. PMID:41374785.PMID 41374785 ↗Journal Polymers (Basel)Year 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41374785/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWEstimating quantile treatment effect on the original scale of the outcome variable: a case study of common cold treatments. ↗Hemilu00e4 H et al.. Estimating quantile treatment effect on the original scale of the outcome variable: a case study of common cold treatments.. Trials. 2025. PMID:41286897.PMID 41286897 ↗Journal TrialsYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41286897/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWZinc gluconate as a multifunctional electrolyte additive for dendrite-free and long-life zinc ion batteries. ↗Ji Y et al.. Zinc gluconate as a multifunctional electrolyte additive for dendrite-free and long-life zinc ion batteries.. Dalton Trans. 2025. PMID:41170898.PMID 41170898 ↗Journal Dalton TransYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41170898/
Score Transparency
0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.
Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies
Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.
Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals
Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.
One or more monitoring-level safety signals active
Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.
Final GIRI Score for Zinc Gluconate. Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
Full methodology & data sources
The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.
- References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
- Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
- Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
- Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Risk Level Classification
Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a low safety concern under normal conditions of use.
0–3.0
3.0–5.5
5.5–7.5
7.5–10
The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.
What drove the Low classification for Zinc Gluconate
A score of 3.5 places this ingredient in the Low band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
0 approved references.
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).
Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.
No active signals — S component is at neutral baseline (0.5), contributing no extra risk weight.
No major regulatory restrictions or advisories recorded across monitored jurisdictions (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others).
How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?
The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:
| Level | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| LOW | 0.0 – 2.9 | Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts. |
| MODERATE | 3.0 – 5.4 | Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups. |
| HIGH | 5.5 – 7.4 | Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended. |
| CRITICAL | 7.5 – 10 | Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision. |
Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.