Products containing tryptophan

Top 10 foods containing tryptophan, starting from the lowest content to the leader. Tryptophan is needed. You can find out more about what tryptophan is needed for. However, there is little of it in food. Read the article to the end and you will find out where this deficient amino acid is found in the largest quantities. And no, it's not bananas and chocolate at all. Galina Baturo and tryptophan are with you.

properties of tryptophan

Tryptophan is an amino acid that is a structural component of proteins in our body. It is called the “amino acid of joy,” because tryptophan produces serotonin, the hormone responsible for the feeling of happiness. A lack of serotonin in the brain leads to the development of depression - a feeling of total dissatisfaction with oneself and life. Tryptophan is needed for the synthesis of melatonin, a sleep hormone that is formed in the brain at night and promotes sleep. Melatonin synchronizes the functioning of all organs of our body in accordance with the daily cycle. It renews cells, which promotes rejuvenation. Tryptophan improves immunity. This amino acid regulates blood glucose levels, counteracting the development of diabetes. A lack of tryptophan in the diet leads to hypogalactia in nursing mothers, i.e. insufficient production of breast milk.

The daily need for tryptophan for adults is 1-2 g.

For depression, insomnia, and also when planning pregnancy, in order to prevent hypogalactia, a “tryptophan diet” is recommended, i.e. consumption of foods rich in tryptophan.

For better absorption of tryptophan, slow carbohydrates contained in cereals are needed, as well as vitamins C - ascorbic acid, B6 - pyridoxine, B9 - folic acid. Vitamin C and B9 are found in fresh greens, and B6 is found in nuts. In addition, for the absorption of tryptophan, the microelement Magnesium (Mg) is needed, which is again found in fresh herbs, cucumbers and all green vegetables and fruits.

Products containing tryptophan: 10th place

products containing tryptophan 10th place

Veal, beef, lamb, as well as salmon, cod and herring. The tryptophan content is 0.22 - 0.25 g per 100 g of product. The daily requirement is satisfied by 400-455 g of meat or fish fillet. The more tender the meat, the more tryptophan it contains. It is preferable to use meat from young animals that are well-fed; they contain more tryptophan.

Is it possible to eat only food

If there are signs of amino acid deficiency, it is recommended to include foods that contain a lot of tryptophan in the diet.
Large amounts of this substance can be obtained from food of animal origin. Table 1 - Products containing tryptophan

ProductsContent per 100 g, mg
CheeseSwiss1000
Roquefort900
Dutch780
CaviarRed960
Black910
Egg powder725
Soybeans654
Almond630
Brynza510
Peanut285

These are the foods that contain the most tryptophan. However, you should not abuse them. 100 g of Swiss cheese contains 400, and feta cheese - 200% of the daily requirement.

Tryptophan is present in meat, fish, eggs and dairy products. There are many sources, so you can create a varied menu from them.

Meat is a source of protein and contains a lot of amino acids.

Table 2 - Meat products containing tryptophan

SourcesConcentration mg/100 g
Rabbit330
Turkey330
Chick300
Chicken290
Veal250
Beef210
Mutton200
Pork150-190

To compensate for the deficiency of the substance, you need to eat 100 g of poultry or 200 g of lean beef per day.

Fish and seafood

Seafood should be a must in the human diet. This is the richest food in tryptophan.

Table 3 - Sea and river products - sources of amino acids

ProductConcentration mg/100 g
CaviarRed960
Black910
Squid300
Lean herring250
Pink salmon220
Cod210
Chum salmon, pollock, horse mackerel200
Sea bass190

It is recommended to eat about 200 g of sea fish per day. It is not only a source of amino acids, but also omega-3.

Dairy

Below is a table with a list of dairy products. They are also useful to consume daily.

Table 4 – Tryptophan content in dairy products

SourcesConcentration mg/100 g
Swiss hard cheese1000
Roquefort900
Dutch780
Cheddar735
Brynza510
Parmesan482
Cottage cheese, fat content 18%212
Feta200
Yogurt 3.2%72
Milk 3.5%, kefir 3.2%43

It is enough to eat one chicken egg per day. It contains 80% of the daily requirement (200 mg). In a quail egg the concentration is slightly lower, 170 mg. The most substance is contained in the yolk - 240 mg.

There are also plant products high in tryptophan. For example, nuts, legumes, grains, etc.

Fruits, berries

Berries and fruits contain little amino acid. Below is a list of sources of tryptophan:

  • avocado;
  • grapefruit;
  • lemon;
  • orange;
  • peaches;
  • cherry;
  • strawberry;
  • raspberries;
  • plum;
  • banana;
  • apricot;
  • melon.

On average, the amount of tryptophan in berries and fruits is 27-25 mg/100 g.

Vegetables and greens

Greens and vegetables also contain small amounts of the amino acid. These products cover 10% of the daily requirement.

Table 5 - Food sources of plant origin

VegetablesConcentration mg/100 g
Tomatoes87
Basil40
Potato24
White cabbage, eggplant, carrots, sweet peppers10
Cucumber5

Nuts contain a lot of tryptophan.

Table 6 - Nuts - sources of amino acids

NutsConcentration mg/100 g
Peanuts, cashews285
Pistachios250
Hazelnut180
Walnuts150
Almond120
Cedar107

The most useful is the white mushroom; in 100 g it contains 210 mg of the substance. But oyster mushroom contains only 42 mg, and shiitake contains 11 mg.

If you eat cereals and legumes every day, you can quickly make up for the deficiency of tryptophan.

Table 7 – Sources of amino acids: grains, cereals, etc.

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ProductsConcentration mg/100 g
Soybeans654
Peas, beans250
Lentils, oat flakes200
Oat groats190
Buckwheat, millet180
Wheat140-150
FlourWheat130
Rye110-130
Semolina110
Pearl barley100
Rice90

There are many supplements sold in pharmacies, but the greatest benefit comes from foods that contain the amino acid. In addition, by consuming foods containing tryptophan and maintaining a balanced diet, you can avoid overdose and also constantly maintain normal levels of the substance.

(see full list of products)

Buckwheat flour183 mg73%
Buckwheat (kernel)180 mg72%
Millet groats (polished)180 mg72%
Mackerel180 mg72%
Zander180 mg72%
Low-fat cottage cheese180 mg72%
Pike180 mg72%
Chicken egg white170 mg68%
Walnut170 mg68%
Quail egg170 mg68%
Meat (fatty pork)150 mg60%
Oats (grain)150 mg60%
Wheat (grain, soft variety)150 mg60%
Buckwheat (grain)140 mg56%
Wheat (grain, durum)140 mg56%
Almond130 mg52%
Wheat flour130 mg52%
Rye wallpaper flour130 mg52%
Rye (grain)130 mg52%
Barley groats120 mg48%
Barley (grain)120 mg48%
Semolina110 mg44%
Peeled rye flour110 mg44%
Pine nut107 mg43%
Pearl barley100 mg40%
Rice groats100 mg40%
Premium flour pasta100 mg40%
Dried acorns98 mg39%
Rice (grain)90 mg36%
Wheat groats80 mg32%
Yogurt 3.2%72 mg29%
Corn grits60 mg24%
Kefir 3.2%43 mg17%
Milk 3.5%43 mg17%
Cream 10%43 mg17%
Oyster mushroom42 mg17%
Basil (greens)39 mg16%
Cauliflower39 mg16%
Cream 20%36 mg14%
Ice cream35 mg14%
Potato28 mg11%
The product's nameTryptophan content per 100gPercentage of daily requirement
Cheese cheese (from cow's milk)510 mg204%
Yogurt 3.2%72 mg29%
Kefir 3.2%43 mg17%
Milk 3.5%43 mg17%
Powdered milk 25%350 mg140%
Ice cream35 mg14%
Cream 10%43 mg17%
Cream 20%36 mg14%
Parmesan cheese482 mg193%
Cheese "Poshekhonsky" 45%700 mg280%
Cheese "Roquefort" 50%900 mg360%
Chees Feta"200 mg80%
Cheddar cheese 50%735 mg294%
Swiss cheese 50%1000 mg400%
Cottage cheese 18% (fat)212 mg85%
Low-fat cottage cheese180 mg72%
The product's nameTryptophan content per 100gPercentage of daily requirement
Chicken egg white170 mg68%
Chicken egg yolk240 mg96%
Egg powder720 mg288%
Chicken egg200 mg80%
Quail egg170 mg68%
The product's nameTryptophan content per 100gPercentage of daily requirement
Pink salmon220 mg88%
Red granular caviar380 mg152%
Squid300 mg120%
Chum salmon200 mg80%
Pollock200 mg80%
Meat (lamb)200 mg80%
Meat (beef)210 mg84%
Meat (turkey)330 mg132%
Meat (chicken)290 mg116%
Meat (fatty pork)150 mg60%
Meat (pork meat)190 mg76%
Meat (broiler chickens)300 mg120%
Sea bass190 mg76%
Lean herring250 mg100%
Mackerel180 mg72%
Horse mackerel200 mg80%
Zander180 mg72%
Cod210 mg84%
Pike180 mg72%

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The product's nameTryptophan content per 100gPercentage of daily requirement
Peas (shelled)260 mg104%
Buckwheat (grain)140 mg56%
Buckwheat (kernel)180 mg72%
Corn grits60 mg24%
Semolina110 mg44%
Oatmeal190 mg76%
Pearl barley100 mg40%
Wheat groats80 mg32%
Millet groats (polished)180 mg72%
Rice groats100 mg40%
Barley groats120 mg48%
Premium flour pasta100 mg40%
Buckwheat flour183 mg73%
Wheat flour130 mg52%
Peeled rye flour110 mg44%
Rye wallpaper flour130 mg52%
Oats (grain)150 mg60%
Wheat (grain, soft variety)150 mg60%
Wheat (grain, durum)140 mg56%
Rice (grain)90 mg36%
Rye (grain)130 mg52%
Soybean (grain)654 mg262%
Beans (grain)260 mg104%
Oat flakes "Hercules"220 mg88%
Lentils (grain)220 mg88%
Barley (grain)120 mg48%
The product's nameTryptophan content per 100gPercentage of daily requirement
Peanut285 mg114%
Walnut170 mg68%
Dried acorns98 mg39%
Pine nut107 mg43%
Cashew287 mg115%
Sesame297 mg119%
Almond130 mg52%
Sunflower seeds (seeds)337 mg135%
Pistachios271 mg108%
Hazelnut190 mg76%
The product's nameTryptophan content per 100gPercentage of daily requirement
Oyster mushroom42 mg17%
Porcini mushrooms210 mg84%
Shiitake mushrooms11 mg4%
The product's nameTryptophan content per 100gPercentage of daily requirement
Apricot9 mg4%
Basil (greens)39 mg16%
Eggplant12 mg5%
Banana15 mg6%
Swede13 mg5%
White cabbage10 mg4%
Cauliflower39 mg16%
Potato28 mg11%
Bulb onions20 mg8%
Carrot12 mg5%
Cucumber5 mg2%
Sweet pepper (Bulgarian)10 mg4%

Discussion on the forum (comments: 6)

Article added: 2017-10-08

There are no studies showing how the way food is prepared, stored, or processed affects tryptophan levels in foods.

Vitamin B6, vitamin C, folic acid and magnesium are essential for tryptophan metabolism. In addition, tyrosine and phenylalanine are competitors of tryptophan.

Because of this, some medical professionals believe that consuming foods rich in tryptophan does not increase blood levels sufficiently to produce a therapeutic effect, and therefore tryptophan supplements should be taken to increase blood levels.

Products containing tryptophan: 2nd place

foods containing tryptophan: cheese

Dutch cheese. Tryptophan content is 0.78 g per 100 g of product. The daily requirement is provided by 128 g of cheese.

Products containing tryptophan: 1st place

foods containing tryptophan: red caviar

Caviar is black or red. Tryptophan content is 0.94 g per 100 g of product. The daily requirement is provided by 100 g of caviar.

You learned what foods you need to eat in order to saturate your body with tryptophan. Share information on social media. networks, leave comments. Galina Baturo was with you.

Replenishment methods

The deficiency of the substance can only be replenished with the help of foods or supplements. Tryptophan is found in protein foods of animal and plant origin. The amino acid norm for an adult is 250 mg per day, but WHO has set the consumption level at 650-1000 mg. The daily requirement can also be calculated based on body weight. For example, 3.5 mg per 1 kg of weight.

Tryptophan deficiency can be diagnosed after the following symptoms occur:

  • vitamin deficiency B3;
  • dermatitis;
  • serotonin deficiency;
  • lack of melatonin, insomnia;
  • lethargy;
  • decreased appetite;
  • disorders of the digestive system;
  • chronic fatigue;
  • anemia;
  • premenstrual syndrome.

With a lack of tryptophan, mental illness occurs. But excess amino acids are also harmful to health. Drowsiness, headache, indigestion, and severe thirst appear. Convulsions and high body temperature may also occur. But these symptoms appear when consuming more than 4 g of the substance per day.

However, bad habits, as well as sugar abuse, can impair the absorption of the amino acid. Therefore, to improve bioavailability, it is recommended to use it together with foods containing carbohydrates, B vitamins, ascorbic acid, iron and magnesium.

Products containing tryptophan

Foods High in Tryptophan

As you know, amino acids must be obtained from food. At the same time, not only the quantity is important, but also the interaction of the amino acid with minerals, vitamins and other substances. If there is a lack of vitamin B, zinc and magnesium in the body, then it is difficult for the substance to affect the human brain.

Juices

If you need to boost your overall mood, freshly squeezed juice is ideal. For example, after drinking tomato juice, your health quickly improves. We must not forget that berry and fruit juices contain a sufficient amount of vitamins, which promotes the production of serotonin.

Secret properties

Tryptophan is one of the human amino acids. If there is a lack of it, metabolic processes are disrupted. Against this background, both physical and psychological exhaustion develop.

Psychological background disorders are associated with the following properties:

  • Improving sleep quality by speeding up the process of falling asleep.
  • Relaxing effect.
  • Reduced headaches.
  • Reducing cravings for alcohol.
  • Reduced irritability.
  • Improved attention.
  • Reducing the risk of depression.

Its other qualities are also necessary for proper operation. The amino acid reduces a person’s feeling of hunger and normalizes appetite. In acceptable quantities, it makes it possible to get full faster and reduces the need for carbohydrates.

Many experts say that it can be used as a safe sleeping pill. The use of tryptophan for sleep significantly improves its quality and relieves a person from the initial stages of insomnia.

Tryptophan is needed for metabolic processes. Has a stimulating effect on human growth hormone. Affects the functioning of blood vessels and the heart. It also protects a person from the effects of alcohol and nicotine.

Its presence in the daily diet is necessary, but it should not be exceeded. This can lead to a number of negative effects.

If, on the contrary, there is a lack of tryptophan, the following problems may arise:

  • Sleep disturbance.
  • The appearance of excess weight due to addiction to carbohydrates.
  • Frequent mood changes.
  • Violation of attention.

In childhood, severe growth retardation may occur. What is tryptophan? This is an essential amino acid for humans, the absence of which will result in a number of negative manifestations.

Speaking about the beneficial properties of this amino acid, one can only be surprised that it is not sold in pharmacies as a panacea for all diseases. But thanks to tryptophan, we can get a good night's sleep, relax and relieve nervous tension, lift our spirits and get rid of depression. But that is not all.

Tryptophan will help those who have lost their appetite or, conversely, want to reduce hunger. If there is enough of this amino acid in the body, then you can give up sweets and baked goods without any stress.

Tryptophan in dietetics

Now you can buy a drug containing this substance at any pharmacy. However, doctors have developed a “tryptophan diet”.

Foods High in Tryptophan

Every day, the human body needs to consume 350 grams of food with tryptophan. Scientist Luca Passamonti is a supporter of this diet, he claims that it reduces aggressiveness and even helps prevent suicide, although it is not known in what quantities.

The average requirement for tryptophan per person per day is only 1 gram. The human body does not produce tryptophan on its own. However, the need for it is very great, since it is involved in the structure of proteins. Protein determines at what levels the human nervous and cardiac systems will work.

However, if a large amount of tryptophan enters the body, the following may occur:

  1. Growth disorders
  2. Weight problems: gain or loss,
  3. Insomnia,
  4. Irritability,
  5. Memory impairment
  6. Loss of appetite
  7. Excessive consumption of unhealthy foods,
  8. Headache.

An excess of the substance is harmful and, in some cases, extremely dangerous for humans. Pain in muscle joints and various swelling of the limbs are common. Doctors recommend taking the amino acid with food, and not with medications.

It is not at all necessary to consume only those foods that contain a large amount of tryptophan. It is quite enough to eat a balanced diet and monitor the quality of food.

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