Foods Containing Arginine

The table below shows how much Arginine and Lysine is contained within many popular foods. To get a more accurate measurement of the amount of Arginine present within any food, one must subtract the amount of Lysine also present, as Arginine and Lysine are antagonists within the body. That means that the individual benefits associated with both Arginine and Lysine will be diminished if both are present in the bloodstream at the same time.

For example, in the case of Pine nuts, there are 4750 mg of Arginine and 914 mg Lysine for every 100 gm of Pine nuts. To get the amount of free Arginine that the body can actually utilize, the amount of Lysine is subtracted from the amount of Arginine to give 3836 mg of free Arginine, as indicated in the highlighted column.


Food Weight (gm) Lys (mg) Arg (mg) Free Arg Ratio Lys/Arg
Pine nuts 100 914 4,750 3,836 0.192
Peanut butter 100 1,173 4,087 2,913 0.287
Sesame seeds 100 827 3,327 2,500 0.248
Peanuts 100 1,007 3,507 2,500 0.287
Pumpkin seeds &
squash		 100 1,807 3,979 2,171 0.454
Walnuts 100 466 2,520 2,054 0.185
Tahini 100 547 2,520 1,973 0.217
Brazil nuts 100 541 2,393 1,852 0.226
Almonds 100 666 2,493 1,827 0.267
Hickory nuts 100 467 1,987 1,520 0.235
Hazelnuts 100 340 1,837 1,497 0.185
Snails 100 1,471 2,471 1,000 0.595
Chicken liver 100 109 1,100 991 0.099
Pistachios, shelled 100 1,281 2,180 898 0.588
Pecans 100 292 1,102 810 0.265
Macadamia nuts 100 324 896 572 0.362
Oats, puffed 100 616 1,127 511 0.547
Coconut, shredded 100 148 546 399 0.270
Garlic 100 267 633 367 0.421
Squash, winter 100 440 776 336 0.567
Wheat, puffed 100 408 708 300 0.576
Bran flakes 100 377 668 291 0.564
Wheat germ 100 739 994 256 0.743
Rice, puffed 100 271 521 250 0.521
Wheat granules 100 356 595 239 0.598
Wheat, shredded 100 335 564 229 0.594
Wheat flakes 100 306 518 212 0.591
Corn, puffed 100 229 394 165 0.580
Cashews 100 154 294 140 0.523
Chestnuts, fresh 100 154 294 140 0.523
Peas, green 100 317 428 111 0.741
Rutabaga 100 39 148 109 0.266
Onions, mature 100 56 164 108 0.344
Brussels sprouts 100 148 202 55 0.730
Chicken gizzard 100 1,257 1,308 51 0.961
Yams 100 45 96 51 0.466
Plantain 100 60 108 48 0.556
Orange juice 100 9 47 38 0.188
Grape juice 100 10 47 37 0.210
Mushrooms 100 69 103 34 0.667
Grapes, adherent skin 100 15 49 34 0.308
Oatmeal 100 33 63 29 0.531
Tangerine juice 100 7 34 27 0.202
Cream of wheat 100 39 66 27 0.590
Watercress 100 165 192 27 0.860
Egg Yolk 100 1,112 1,135 24 0.979
Blackberries 100 12 34 22 0.347
Blueberries 100 12 34 22 0.347
Elderberries 100 26 47 21 0.559
Corn grits 100 28 47 19 0.596
Grapes, slip skin 100 8 27 19 0.310
Swiss chard 100 100 117 17 0.857
Cucumber 100 21 35 13 0.611
Orange 100 34 47 13 0.729
Shrimp 100 1,765 1,776 12 0.993
Crab 100 1,588 1,600 12 0.993
Cabbage, common 100 57 69 11 0.833
Eggplant 100 51 61 10 0.840
Tangerine 100 23 32 9 0.730
Minestrone soup 100 76 82 6 0.924
Dates 100 60 66 6 0.909
Lima beans, cooked 100 450 456 6 0.987
Broccoli 100 141 145 5 0.969
Radish 100 36 40 4 0.889
Tomato soup 100 21 25 4 0.836
Peppers, sweet 100 38 42 4 0.905
Carrots 100 40 44 4 0.917
pea soup w/ham 100 275 278 3 0.990
Okra 100 82 84 2 0.976
Onions, green 100 4 6 2 0.667
Strawberries 100 25 26 1 0.949
Mayonnaise 100 757 757 0 1.000
Vegetarian vegetable soup 100 41 41 0 1.000
Beet greens 100 53 53 0 1.000
Endive 100 64 64 0 1.000
Leeks 100 78 78 0 1.000
Pumpkin 100 39 39 0 1.000
Banana 100 31 31 -1 1.019
Asparagus 100 145 143 -1 1.010
Guava 100 19 17 -2 1.105
Cream of potato soup 100 34 31 -3 1.092
Watermelon 100 62 59 -3 1.053
Peach 100 17 14 -3 1.250
Turnip greens 100 98 95 -4 1.038
Sweet potato 100 81 77 -4 1.050
Cabbage, chinese 100 89 84 -4 1.051
Applesauce, unsweetened 100 10 5 -5 2.000
Cream of celery soup 100 30 24 -6 1.237
Apple 100 11 5 -6 2.125
Pear 100 13 7 -6 1.917
Loquat 100 13 6 -6 2.000
Corn 100 136 130 -6 1.050
Persimmon 100 28 21 -7 1.310
Celery 100 27 20 -7 1.333
Chicken rice soup 100 104 97 -7 1.073
Pineapple 100 25 18 -7 1.393
Tomato juice 100 22 15 -7 1.500
Oat flakes 100 1,215 1,206 -8 1.007
New England Clam Chowder 100 103 94 -9 1.096
Papaya 100 17 7 -10 2.533
Lettuce, iceberg 100 80 69 -11 1.154
Cream of Asparagus soup 100 46 35 -11 1.318
Tomato 100 33 22 -11 1.519
Cauliflower 100 108 96 -12 1.125
Fig 100 29 17 -12 1.727
Turnips 100 36 24 -12 1.516
Crabapple, slices 100 25 13 -13 2.000
Oysters 100 529 515 -13 1.025
Cream of Mushroom soup 100 52 39 -13 1.337
Kale 100 197 184 -13 1.073
Lettuce, romaine 100 104 89 -14 1.160
Spinach 100 178 164 -15 1.089
Mango 100 28 13 -15 2.179
Squash, summer 100 65 50 -15 1.308
Green beans 100 88 73 -15 1.213
Chicken gumbo 100 66 50 -16 1.320
Cream of chicken soup 100 88 68 -20 1.295
Turkey noodle soup 100 87 65 -22 1.333
Chicken noodle soup 100 91 69 -22 1.319
Clams 100 956 933 -22 1.024
Scallops 100 1,247 1,224 -24 1.019
Peach, dried 100 116 92 -24 1.258
Human Milk 100 68 43 -26 1.600
Avocado 100 69 44 -26 1.588
Beef noodle soup 100 107 81 -26 1.318
Apple, dried 100 58 30 -28 1.947
Beets 100 53 22 -31 2.400
Tomato paste 100 108 76 -31 1.410
Potato 100 127 93 -33 1.357
Egg White 100 624 591 -33 1.056
Bean w/ frankfurters soup 100 166 132 -34 1.254
Black bean soup 100 168 134 -34 1.254
Vegetable w/beef soup 100 141 107 -34 1.318
Potato, baking 100 140 106 -34 1.322
Pear, dried 100 66 32 -34 2.071
Abalone 100 1,282 1,247 -35 1.028
Butter 100 64 28 -35 2.250
Collards 100 75 39 -37 1.944
Margarine 100 64 21 -43 3.000
Whole Egg 100 820 776 -44 1.057
Sherbet 100 89 40 -48 2.192
Apricot 100 90 42 -48 2.146
Fig, dried 100 121 69 -51 1.740
Frankfurter, beef and por 100 904 849 -56 1.065
Kielbasa 100 1,021 954 -68 1.071
Vienna sausage 100 794 706 -88 1.124
Whipping Cream, heavy 100 163 74 -88 2.186
Whipping Cream, light 100 172 79 -93 2.186
Lentil sprouts 100 712 610 -101 1.166
Chicken back 100 616 508 -107 1.211
Chicken neck 100 377 268 -109 1.406
Pork Bacon 100 639 529 -110 1.208
Coffee Cream 100 213 100 -113 2.133
Apricot, dried 100 254 140 -114 1.816
Ice Cream, rich 100 221 101 -120 2.180
Chicken wing 100 776 650 -126 1.193
Half and Half Cream 100 235 107 -128 2.193
Liver 100 1,389 1,257 -133 1.106
Whipped Cream, pressurize 100 253 117 -137 2.171
Chocolate Milk 100 252 115 -137 2.192
Duck, domesticated 100 909 770 -139 1.181
Whole Milk 100 261 119 -142 2.189
Lowfat Milk, 2% 100 264 120 -143 2.190
Braunschweiger 100 921 775 -146 1.189
Skim Milk 100 271 123 -147 2.195
Eggnog 100 298 149 -150 2.005
Buttermilk 100 277 126 -151 2.197
Ice Cream 100 286 131 -156 2.190
Whole Egg, dried 100 3,100 2,940 -160 1.054
Frankfurter, beef 100 864 698 -167 1.239
Ice Milk 100 312 143 -169 2.187
Goat Milk 100 290 119 -171 2.433
Soybean sprouts 100 551 380 -171 1.451
Bologna, beef 100 907 732 -175 1.239
Bologna, beef and pork 100 893 707 -186 1.263
Polish sausage 100 1,125 936 -189 1.202
Brotwurst 100 1,154 957 -196 1.205
Pork sausage 100 900 700 -200 1.286
Bologna, pork 100 1,218 1,018 -200 1.196
Plain Yogurt 100 311 104 -207 2.979
Corned Beef, brisket 100 1,123 903 -220 1.244
Knockwurst 100 932 709 -224 1.315
Pork and beef sausage 100 1,085 854 -231 1.270
Goose liver 100 1,234 1,003 -231 1.230
Fruit Yogurt, lowfat 100 357 120 -237 2.978
Mortadella 100 1,279 1,039 -239 1.230
Bratwurst, ckd 100 1,071 831 -240 1.289
Chicken thigh 100 1,092 850 -242 1.284
Caviar, black and red 100 1,831 1,588 -244 1.154
Chicken leg 100 1,069 818 -251 1.307
Pastrami 100 1,339 1,079 -261 1.242
Chicken drumstick 100 1,055 793 -262 1.330
Ground beef, regular 100 1,381 1,115 -265 1.238
Goose, domesticated 100 1,253 984 -269 1.273
Duck liver 100 1,418 1,148 -270 1.236
Ground beef, lean 100 1,478 1,195 -283 1.237
Turkey liver 100 1,510 1,225 -284 1.232
Beef Short ribs 100 1,196 910 -286 1.315
Beef smoked, chopped 100 1,668 1,379 -289 1.210
Plum 100 1,636 1,345 -291 1.216
Evaporated Milk 100 540 247 -294 2.190
Chicken, dark meat 100 1,344 1,050 -294 1.280
Chicken heart 100 1,295 1,000 -295 1.295
Salami, hard 100 1,820 1,520 -300 1.197
Pork Spareribs 100 1,042 736 -306 1.416
Plain Yogurt, lowfat 100 467 158 -309 2.953
Beef Rib roast 100 1,333 1,013 -319 1.315
Evaporated Milk, skim 100 596 273 -323 2.186
Beef T-bone steak 100 1,394 1,059 -335 1.316
Plain Yogurt, skim 100 511 172 -339 2.967
Italian sausage, ckd 100 1,522 1,182 -340 1.288
Condensed Milk, sweetened 100 627 286 -341 2.192
Pork loin chop 100 1,291 947 -344 1.364
Liver cheese 100 1,193 846 -346 1.409
Porterhouse steak 100 1,445 1,097 -348 1.317
Ham, boneless 100 1,487 1,139 -348 1.306
Chicken breast 100 1,381 1,033 -348 1.337
Beef Chuck roast 100 1,520 1,156 -363 1.314
Beef Sirloin steak 100 1,515 1,152 -363 1.315
Wild quail 100 1,644 1,279 -365 1.286
Beef Tenderloin 100 1,540 1,172 -368 1.314
Chicken, light meat 100 1,655 1,267 -388 1.306
Beef Flank steak 100 1,601 1,211 -390 1.322
Beef Round steak 100 1,612 1,222 -390 1.319
Summer sausage 100 1,383 991 -391 1.395
Turkey, dark meat 100 1,724 1,329 -395 1.297
Cream Cheese 100 686 289 -396 2.370
Chicken canned, boned 100 1,761 1,352 -408 1.302
Beef, dried 100 2,404 1,989 -414 1.208
Pork Shoulder 100 1,573 1,154 -419 1.363
Cottage Cheese, creamed 100 1,010 567 -443 1.782
Turkey, light meat 100 1,967 1,522 -444 1.292
Pork leg 100 1,663 1,218 -445 1.365
Turkey, canned boned 100 2,141 1,662 -479 1.288
Cottage Cheese, Lowfat 2% 100 1,111 624 -487 1.780
Gjetost Cheese 100 825 332 -493 2.484
Chicken, dark meat, w/o s 100 1,706 1,211 -495 1.409
Canadian Style Bacon 100 1,623 1,123 -500 1.445
Neufchatel Cheese 100 904 382 -521 2.364
Bass 100 1,624 1,061 -562 1.530
Chicken, light meat w/o s 100 1,966 1,398 -568 1.407
Smelt 100 1,624 1,055 -568 1.538
Carp 100 1,635 1,067 -568 1.533
Cod 100 1,635 1,066 -569 1.534
Herring 100 1,647 1,075 -572 1.532
Catfish 100 1,671 1,088 -582 1.535
Eel 100 1,694 1,104 -591 1.535
Perch 100 1,706 1,115 -591 1.530
Mackerel 100 1,706 1,113 -593 1.533
Wild pheasant 100 2,013 1,412 -601 1.426
Flat fish, flounder and s 100 1,729 1,128 -601 1.533
Cottage Cheese, dry 100 1,393 786 -607 1.772
Haddock 100 1,741 1,131 -611 1.540
Whitefish 100 1,753 1,142 -611 1.535
Pike 100 1,765 1,152 -613 1.532
Pollock 100 1,788 1,164 -625 1.537
Bluefish 100 1,835 1,200 -635 1.529
Salmon 100 1,824 1,176 -647 1.550
Swordfish 100 1,824 1,176 -647 1.550
Whey, dry, sweet 100 1,027 373 -653 2.750
Snapper 100 1,882 1,224 -659 1.538
Halibut 100 1,906 1,247 -659 1.528
Shark 100 1,929 1,259 -671 1.533
Ricotta Cheese 100 1,337 630 -707 2.123
Ricotta Cheese, part skim 100 1,350 638 -711 2.115
Sardines, in oil, drained 100 2,258 1,475 -783 1.531
Anchovy, in oit, drained 100 2,655 1,730 -925 1.535
Tuna, in water 100 2,715 1,770 -945 1.534
American Cheese Spread 100 1,525 554 -971 2.755
Limburger Cheese 100 1,696 707 -989 2.399
Cheshire Cheese 100 1,968 893 -1,075 2.204
Camermbert Cheese 100 1,789 711 -1,079 2.518
Colby Cheese 100 2,004 907 -1,096 2.209
Monterey Jack Cheese 100 2,064 936 -1,129 2.206
Brie Cheese 100 1,875 743 -1,132 2.524
Whole Milk, dry 100 2,086 953 -1,133 2.189
Cheddar Cheese 100 2,100 954 -1,146 2.202
Mozzarella Cheese 100 1,996 843 -1,154 2.369
Blue Cheese 100 1,879 721 -1,157 2.604
Port du salut Cheese 100 2,011 839 -1,171 2.396
Tilsit Cheese 100 2,064 861 -1,204 2.398
Brick Cheese 100 2,150 886 -1,264 2.427
Muenster Cheese 100 2,164 893 -1,271 2.424
Processed American Cheese 100 2,225 939 -1,286 2.369
Processed Swiss Cheese 100 2,486 1,046 -1,439 2.375
Mozzarella Cheese, part s 100 2,496 1,054 -1,443 2.369
Nonfat Milk, dry, instant 100 2,779 1,271 -1,509 2.188
Nonfat Milk, dry 100 2,867 1,308 -1,558 2.191
Provolone Cheese 100 2,679 1,036 -1,643 2.586
Swiss Cheese 100 2,618 939 -1,679 2.787
Gouda Cheese 100 2,686 975 -1,711 2.755
Edam Cheese 100 2,693 975 -1,718 2.762
Gruyere Cheese 100 2,743 986 -1,757 2.783
Parmesan Cheese 100 3,346 1,332 -2,014 2.512
Parmesan Cheese, grated 100 3,840 1,540 -2,300 2.494