Skip to main content

Cysteine: Benefits and Foods High in Cysteine

Discover Cysteine benefits, top sources for vegans and carnivores and their Cysteine content per 100g.

Luke Gartland avatar
Written by Luke Gartland
Updated over 10 months ago

What is Cysteine?

Cysteine is a semi-essential amino acid, meaning the body can produce it from methionine, another essential amino acid, but it can become essential under certain conditions such as illness or stress. Cysteine is crucial for protein synthesis, detoxification, and the production of the antioxidant glutathione. It also plays a role in maintaining skin, hair, and nail health.

Benefits of Cysteine

  • Protein Synthesis: Important for the production and maintenance of proteins in the body.

  • Detoxification: Helps in detoxifying harmful substances and heavy metals from the body.

  • Antioxidant Production: Precursor to glutathione, one of the most powerful antioxidants in the body.

  • Skin, Hair, and Nail Health: Essential for the health and strength of skin, hair, and nails.

  • Immune Support: Supports the immune system and aids in the production of white blood cells.

Daily Recommended Value (DRV) for Cysteine

The DRV for Cysteine is approximately 19 mg per kilogram of body weight per day. For an average adult weighing 70 kg, the daily requirement would be:

  • 19 mg x 70 kg = 1,330 mg per day

Foods High in Cysteine

Here are some foods rich in Cysteine along with their approximate Cysteine content per 100 grams and the percentage of the daily recommended value (DRV) for a 70 kg individual (1,330 mg per day).

Top Sources of Cysteine for Carnivores

  1. Pork Loin

    • Cysteine content: 260 mg per 100g

    • % of Daily Need: 20%

  2. Chicken Breast

    • Cysteine content: 222 mg per 100g

    • % of Daily Need: 17%

  3. Lean Beef

    • Cysteine content: 222 mg per 100g

    • % of Daily Need: 17%

  4. Turkey Breast

    • Cysteine content: 201 mg per 100g

    • % of Daily Need: 15%

  5. Tuna

    • Cysteine content: 180 mg per 100g

    • % of Daily Need: 14%

Top Sources of Cysteine for Vegans

  1. Soy Protein Isolate

    • Cysteine content: 655 mg per 100g

    • % of Daily Need: 49%

  2. Sunflower Seeds

    • Cysteine content: 451 mg per 100g

    • % of Daily Need: 34%

  3. Lentils

    • Cysteine content: 380 mg per 100g

    • % of Daily Need: 29%

  4. Oats

    • Cysteine content: 200 mg per 100g

    • % of Daily Need: 15%

  5. Brown Rice

    • Cysteine content: 190 mg per 100g

    • % of Daily Need: 14%

Did this answer your question?