Foods Highest in Tryptophan
4,851 foods ranked by Tryptophan per 100 g.
These are the foods highest in Tryptophan, ranked by the amount per 100 g of the edible portion. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid best known as the precursor to serotonin — a neurotransmitter that influences mood — and from there to melatonin, the sleep hormone. The body also uses tryptophan to help make niacin (vitamin B3).
Read the full Tryptophan guideValues per 100 g.
Turkey and other poultry, dairy, eggs, fish, oats, seeds and soy. Amounts are per 100 g of the edible portion; your serving may differ.
Tryptophan — frequently asked questions
What foods are highest in Tryptophan?
Per 100 g, some of the richest sources are Sea lion, Steller, meat with fat (Alaska Native), Egg, white, dried, powder, glucose reduced, Sea lion, Steller, kidney (Alaska Native), Egg, white, dried, flakes, glucose reduced and Soy protein isolate, potassium type. See the full ranking above.
How much Tryptophan do I need a day?
There is no FDA Daily Value for individual amino acids. The WHO estimate is about 4 mg per kg of body weight per day — the smallest amino-acid requirement.
What does Tryptophan do?
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid best known as the precursor to serotonin — a neurotransmitter that influences mood — and from there to melatonin, the sleep hormone. The body also uses tryptophan to help make niacin (vitamin B3).