Foods Highest in Arginine

4,875 foods ranked by Arginine per 100 g.

These are the foods highest in Arginine, ranked by the amount per 100 g of the edible portion. Arginine is a conditionally essential amino acid — usually made in sufficient amounts, but needed from food during growth, illness or injury. Its standout role is as the precursor to nitric oxide, a molecule that relaxes blood vessels and improves circulation. It also drives the urea cycle that clears ammonia.

Read the full Arginine guide

Values per 100 g.

Food Arginine
Seeds, sesame flour, low-fat 7.44 g
Seeds, cottonseed flour, low fat (glandless) 6.73 g
Soy protein isolate, PROTEIN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL, SUPRO 6.70 g
Soy protein isolate, potassium type 6.67 g
Soy protein isolate, potassium type, crude protein basis 6.67 g
Soy protein isolate 6.67 g
Seeds, cottonseed meal, partially defatted (glandless) 6.63 g
Gelatins, dry powder, unsweetened 6.62 g
Soy protein isolate, PROTEIN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL, ProPlus 6.50 g
Peanut flour, defatted 6.24 g
Seeds, sesame flour, partially defatted 5.98 g
Seeds, cottonseed flour, partially defatted (glandless) 5.53 g
Seeds, pumpkin and squash seed kernels, dried 5.35 g
Seeds, pumpkin and squash seed kernels, roasted, without salt 5.28 g
Seeds, pumpkin and squash seed kernels, roasted, with salt added 5.28 g
Seeds, sunflower seed flour, partially defatted 5.07 g
Mollusks, whelk, unspecified, cooked, moist heat 4.94 g
Seeds, watermelon seed kernels, dried 4.90 g
Nuts, butternuts, dried 4.86 g
Snacks, pork skins, plain 4.84 g
Egg, white, dried, powder, glucose reduced 4.81 g
Gelatin desserts, dry mix, reduced calorie, with aspartame, added phosphorus, potassium, sodium, vitamin C 4.78 g
Gelatin desserts, dry mix, reduced calorie, with aspartame, no added sodium 4.78 g
Seal, bearded (Oogruk), meat, dried (Alaska Native) 4.66 g
Soy protein concentrate, produced by acid wash 4.64 g
Soy protein concentrate, crude protein basis (N x 6.25), produced by acid wash 4.64 g
Soy protein concentrate, produced by alcohol extraction 4.64 g
Seeds, sesame flour, high-fat 4.57 g
Snacks, pork skins, barbecue-flavor 4.55 g
Egg, white, dried, flakes, glucose reduced 4.49 g

Turkey, pork, chicken, nuts, seeds, soy, beans and whole grains. Amounts are per 100 g of the edible portion; your serving may differ.

Arginine — frequently asked questions

What foods are highest in Arginine?

Per 100 g, some of the richest sources are Seeds, sesame flour, low-fat, Seeds, cottonseed flour, low fat (glandless), Soy protein isolate, PROTEIN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL, SUPRO, Soy protein isolate, potassium type and Soy protein isolate, potassium type, crude protein basis. See the full ranking above.

How much Arginine do I need a day?

There is no FDA Daily Value. A typical mixed diet provides several grams a day; needs increase during recovery, growth and stress.

What does Arginine do?

Arginine is a conditionally essential amino acid — usually made in sufficient amounts, but needed from food during growth, illness or injury. Its standout role is as the precursor to nitric oxide, a molecule that relaxes blood vessels and improves circulation. It also drives the urea cycle that clears ammonia.

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Arginine guide