What food has highest selenium

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Foods with the Highest Selenium Content

Selenium is an essential trace mineral that plays a crucial role in various bodily functions, including antioxidant defense, thyroid hormone metabolism, and immune function. Understanding which foods are rich in selenium can help individuals meet their dietary needs. This article synthesizes findings from multiple studies to identify foods with the highest selenium content.

Brazil Nuts: The Selenium Powerhouse

Brazil Nuts

Brazil nuts are consistently identified as the richest source of selenium across various studies. In Brazilian foods, Brazil nuts have an average selenium content of 58.1 ± 3.00 µg/g. Similarly, in the UK, Brazil nuts contain 254 µg/100 g. The selenium content in Brazil nuts can be highly variable, with concentrations ranging from 0.4 to 158.4 µg/g in the Amazonian region. This variability is attributed to differences in soil selenium levels and plant accumulation.

High Selenium in Animal Products

Fish and Seafood

Fish and seafood are also significant sources of selenium. In Australian foods, fish have selenium levels ranging from 12.0 to 63.2 µg/100 g. In Thai foods, seafood and fish have mean selenium levels of 45.0 ± 20.8 µg/100 g. Similarly, in Argentina, fish and canned tuna show high selenium values, with canned tuna containing 272-282 µg/kg.

Meat and Poultry

Meat and poultry are other notable sources of selenium. In the UK, kidney meat contains 146 µg/100 g, and crab meat has 84 µg/100 g. In Australian foods, meats have selenium levels ranging from 4.75 to 37.9 µg/100 g. In Argentina, beef and chicken show selenium values of 42-153 µg/kg and 62-205 µg/kg, respectively. In the Slovak Republic, chicken meat and eggs have high selenium levels due to selenium addition to animal feeds.

Eggs

Eggs are another excellent source of selenium. In Australian foods, eggs contain selenium levels ranging from 9.00 to 41.4 µg/100 g. In Thai foods, eggs have a mean selenium content of 40.2 ± 14.1 µg/100 g. In Argentina, eggs show selenium values of 134-217 µg/kg.

Moderate Selenium in Plant-Based Foods

Pulses and Cereals

Pulses and cereals also contribute to selenium intake, though to a lesser extent than animal products. In plant foods, pulses have selenium values ranging from 48.7 to 92.5 µg/100 g. In Australian foods, cereals have selenium levels ranging from 1.00 to 20.3 µg/100 g. In Thai foods, cereals contain low concentrations of selenium, around 5.0 ± 1.1 µg/100 g.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables generally have low selenium content. In Brazilian foods, most fruits and vegetables present low levels of selenium. In Australian foods, fruits and vegetables have selenium levels ranging from trace amounts to 3.27 µg/100 g. In Thai foods, vegetables and fruits have selenium contents of 1.2 ± 2.0 µg/100 g and 0.6 ± 0.5 µg/100 g, respectively.

Conclusion

Brazil nuts are the most selenium-rich food, followed by various animal products such as fish, seafood, meat, and eggs. While plant-based foods like pulses and cereals contribute to selenium intake, their levels are generally lower compared to animal products. Understanding these sources can help individuals optimize their selenium intake for better health.