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Nutrient table · IFCT 2017 · ICMR-NIN 2020

Zinc content of Indian foods

Per 100 g, dried oyster mushroom tops IFCT 2017 for zinc at 8.67 mg, with sesame seeds close behind at 8.59 mg, oysters at 7.35 mg and sunflower seeds at 7.07 mg. Cashew gives 5.34 mg, mutton 4.19 mg and soya bean 4.01 mg. The ICMR-NIN 2020 zinc requirement is 17 mg a day for men and 13 mg for women.

01The nutrient

What zinc does, and where Indian diets stand

Zinc works quietly inside hundreds of enzymes. It is needed for growth, wound healing, the senses of taste and smell, normal immune function and the making of new cells. That is why young children, pregnant women and teenagers in a growth spurt are the groups most sensitive to a shortfall.

Low zinc intake is common in India, largely because cereal and pulse based diets carry phytate, which binds zinc in the gut. Meals low in meat, seafood and dairy bring less zinc, and less of it in an easily absorbed form. A mild shortfall rarely shows obvious signs, but over time it can slow a child's growth.

This table ranks 243 foods in IFCT 2017 by zinc per 100 g. Oilseeds and nuts dominate, joined by shellfish, mutton and lamb, and pulses such as soya, chana and masoor. Oyster mushroom tops the list in its dried form, which concentrates its zinc well beyond what fresh mushrooms carry.

02The full table

All 243 foods ranked by zinc

Per 100 g of the edible portion, highest first. The last two columns show the share of an adult's daily need that 100 g covers.

Indian foods ranked by zinc per 100 g
RankFoodGroupPer 100 gMan's daily needWoman's daily need
1Oyster mushroom (dried)Vegetables and mushrooms8.67 mg51%67%
2Sesame seeds (til)Nuts and oilseeds8.59 mg51%66%
3OysterFish and seafood7.35 mg43%57%
4Sunflower seedsNuts and oilseeds7.07 mg42%54%
5Poppy seedsSpices, herbs and condiments6.38 mg38%49%
6Ajwain (carom seeds)Spices, herbs and condiments5.67 mg33%44%
7Cashew nutNuts and oilseeds5.34 mg31%41%
8Niger seedsNuts and oilseeds4.98 mg29%38%
9Flaxseeds (alsi)Nuts and oilseeds4.86 mg29%37%
10Garden cress seeds (halim)Nuts and oilseeds4.83 mg28%37%
11Cumin seedsSpices, herbs and condiments4.29 mg25%33%
12Goat meat (mutton)Meat, poultry and eggs4.19 mg25%32%
13Pine nuts (chilgoza)Nuts and oilseeds4.18 mg25%32%
14OctopusFish and seafood4.07 mg24%31%
15Mustard seedsNuts and oilseeds4.03 mg24%31%
16Soya beanPulses and legumes4.01 mg24%31%
17Coriander seedsSpices, herbs and condiments3.91 mg23%30%
18Safflower seedsNuts and oilseeds3.9 mg23%30%
19Fenugreek seeds (methi dana)Spices, herbs and condiments3.8 mg22%29%
20CardamomSpices, herbs and condiments3.71 mg22%29%
21Sheep meat (lamb)Meat, poultry and eggs3.69 mg22%28%
22Bengal gram (chana)Pulses and legumes3.65 mg21%28%
23Masoor dal (red lentil)Pulses and legumes3.61 mg21%28%
24Whole masoor (lentil)Pulses and legumes3.6 mg21%28%
25AlmondNuts and oilseeds3.5 mg21%27%
26Cowpea (lobia)Pulses and legumes3.41 mg20%26%
27TurkeyMeat, poultry and eggs3.35 mg20%26%
28QuinoaCereals and millets3.31 mg19%25%
29Mud crabFish and seafood3.3 mg19%25%
30Peanuts (groundnut)Nuts and oilseeds3.18 mg19%24%
31Dried peasPulses and legumes3.1 mg18%24%
32Black gram (urad)Pulses and legumes3 mg18%23%
33WalnutNuts and oilseeds2.94 mg17%23%
34DuckMeat, poultry and eggs2.92 mg17%22%
35EmuMeat, poultry and eggs2.91 mg17%22%
36Wheat (whole, suji and dalia)Cereals and millets2.85 mg17%22%
37Wheat flour (atta and maida)Cereals and millets2.85 mg17%22%
38Bajra (pearl millet)Cereals and millets2.76 mg16%21%
39PaneerMilk and dairy2.74 mg16%21%
40Country chicken (desi)Meat, poultry and eggs2.71 mg16%21%
41Horse gram (kulthi)Pulses and legumes2.71 mg16%21%
42Rajma (red kidney beans)Pulses and legumes2.69 mg16%21%
43Amaranth seed (rajgira)Cereals and millets2.66 mg16%20%
44Chicken liver and gizzardMeat, poultry and eggs2.65 mg16%20%
45Turmeric powderSpices, herbs and condiments2.64 mg16%20%
46Red gram (toor or arhar)Pulses and legumes2.63 mg15%20%
47Ragi (finger millet)Cereals and millets2.53 mg15%19%
48Green gram (moong)Pulses and legumes2.49 mg15%19%
49PigeonMeat, poultry and eggs2.48 mg15%19%
50Milk fishFish and seafood2.43 mg14%19%
51Field bean (dry)Pulses and legumes2.42 mg14%19%
52PistachioNuts and oilseeds2.42 mg14%19%
53Khoa (mawa)Milk and dairy2.34 mg14%18%
54RabbitMeat, poultry and eggs2.34 mg14%18%
55Rice beanPulses and legumes2.29 mg13%18%
56Maize (corn)Cereals and millets2.27 mg13%17%
57Freshwater EelFish and seafood2.23 mg13%17%
58PorkMeat, poultry and eggs2.08 mg12%16%
59Jowar (sorghum)Cereals and millets1.96 mg12%15%
60Moth bean (matki)Pulses and legumes1.92 mg11%15%
61Samai (little millet)Cereals and millets1.82 mg11%14%
62Varagu milletCereals and millets1.65 mg10%13%
63ClamFish and seafood1.64 mg10%13%
64Amaranth spinosusGreen leafy vegetables1.57 mg9%12%
65Garden cress leavesGreen leafy vegetables1.52 mg9%12%
66Pippali (long pepper)Spices, herbs and condiments1.52 mg9%12%
67BarleyCereals and millets1.5 mg9%12%
68Poha (rice flakes)Cereals and millets1.49 mg9%11%
69Guinea fowlMeat, poultry and eggs1.48 mg9%11%
70NutmegSpices, herbs and condiments1.45 mg9%11%
71Puffed rice (murmura)Cereals and millets1.45 mg9%11%
72PrawnsFish and seafood1.44 mg8%11%
73CoconutNuts and oilseeds1.41 mg8%11%
74ParsleyGreen leafy vegetables1.29 mg8%10%
75Black pepperSpices, herbs and condiments1.24 mg7%10%
76SquidFish and seafood1.24 mg7%10%
77EggMeat, poultry and eggs1.23 mg7%9%
78RiceCereals and millets1.21 mg7%9%
79Shiitake mushroomVegetables and mushrooms1.21 mg7%9%
80Curry leavesSpices, herbs and condiments1.18 mg7%9%
81LobsterFish and seafood1.16 mg7%9%
82MaceSpices, herbs and condiments1.16 mg7%9%
83Baby cornVegetables and mushrooms1.13 mg7%9%
84ClovesSpices, herbs and condiments1.13 mg7%9%
85QuailMeat, poultry and eggs1.13 mg7%9%
86Tender red gram (fresh toor)Vegetables and mushrooms1.1 mg6%8%
87Tiger prawnsFish and seafood1.1 mg6%8%
88Green peas (fresh)Vegetables and mushrooms1.09 mg6%8%
89PonnaganniGreen leafy vegetables0.99 mg6%8%
90Spring onionVegetables and mushrooms0.99 mg6%8%
91Asafoetida (hing)Spices, herbs and condiments0.98 mg6%8%
92Bathua leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.98 mg6%8%
93Moon fishFish and seafood0.93 mg5%7%
94Tamarind leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.93 mg5%7%
95Pumpkin leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.9 mg5%7%
96GarlicSpices, herbs and condiments0.89 mg5%7%
97SardineFish and seafood0.89 mg5%7%
98TilapiaFish and seafood0.88 mg5%7%
99Amaranth leaves (chaulai)Green leafy vegetables0.86 mg5%7%
100Colocasia leaves (arbi patta)Green leafy vegetables0.82 mg5%6%
101KalavaFish and seafood0.82 mg5%6%
102RohuFish and seafood0.8 mg5%6%
103Chicken (broiler)Meat, poultry and eggs0.78 mg5%6%
104CrabFish and seafood0.76 mg4%6%
105AvocadoFruits0.75 mg4%6%
106Mint leavesSpices, herbs and condiments0.75 mg4%6%
107Seer fish (vanjaram)Fish and seafood0.74 mg4%6%
108Drumstick leaves (moringa)Green leafy vegetables0.72 mg4%6%
109CatfishFish and seafood0.71 mg4%5%
110DatesFruits0.7 mg4%5%
111PangasFish and seafood0.69 mg4%5%
112TunaFish and seafood0.69 mg4%5%
113CatlaFish and seafood0.68 mg4%5%
114Coriander leavesSpices, herbs and condiments0.68 mg4%5%
115Mustard leaves (sarson)Green leafy vegetables0.68 mg4%5%
116MackerelFish and seafood0.67 mg4%5%
117Water ChestnutRoots and tubers0.67 mg4%5%
118AnchovyFish and seafood0.65 mg4%5%
119Gongura (gogu) leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.65 mg4%5%
120Field beans (fresh pods)Vegetables and mushrooms0.64 mg4%5%
121Hilsa (ilish)Fish and seafood0.64 mg4%5%
122Broad beansVegetables and mushrooms0.61 mg4%5%
123Cluster beans (gawar)Vegetables and mushrooms0.61 mg4%5%
124SilanFish and seafood0.58 mg3%4%
125TamarindFruits0.58 mg3%4%
126Brussels sproutsGreen leafy vegetables0.57 mg3%4%
127Scarlet runner beanVegetables and mushrooms0.57 mg3%4%
128Silver carpFish and seafood0.57 mg3%4%
129Manila tamarind (jungle jalebi)Fruits0.56 mg3%4%
130Chicken mushroomVegetables and mushrooms0.55 mg3%4%
131Colocasia stemVegetables and mushrooms0.54 mg3%4%
132Fenugreek leaves (methi)Green leafy vegetables0.54 mg3%4%
133Agathi leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.53 mg3%4%
134RambutanFruits0.53 mg3%4%
135LettuceGreen leafy vegetables0.51 mg3%4%
136SalmonFish and seafood0.51 mg3%4%
137French beansVegetables and mushrooms0.5 mg3%4%
138PomfretFish and seafood0.5 mg3%4%
139Radish leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.49 mg3%4%
140PhalsaFruits0.48 mg3%4%
141Betel leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.47 mg3%4%
142Mango ginger (amba haldi)Spices, herbs and condiments0.47 mg3%4%
143Karimeen (pearl spot)Fish and seafood0.46 mg3%4%
144Rumex leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.46 mg3%4%
145SharkFish and seafood0.46 mg3%4%
146SpinachGreen leafy vegetables0.46 mg3%4%
147JaggerySugars and natural drinks0.45 mg3%3%
148MulletFish and seafood0.45 mg3%3%
149Okra (bhindi)Vegetables and mushrooms0.45 mg3%3%
150Bombay duckFish and seafood0.42 mg2%3%
151Knol-khol leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.42 mg2%3%
152Apricot (dried and processed)Fruits0.41 mg2%3%
153Colocasia root (arbi)Roots and tubers0.41 mg2%3%
154Black snapperFish and seafood0.4 mg2%3%
155RaniFish and seafood0.4 mg2%3%
156Basella leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.39 mg2%3%
157GingerSpices, herbs and condiments0.39 mg2%3%
158Bamboo shootVegetables and mushrooms0.37 mg2%3%
159Bhetki (barramundi)Fish and seafood0.36 mg2%3%
160Lotus root (kamal kakdi)Roots and tubers0.35 mg2%3%
161OnionSpices, herbs and condiments0.35 mg2%3%
162Queen fishFish and seafood0.35 mg2%3%
163Red snapperFish and seafood0.34 mg2%3%
164MilkMilk and dairy0.33 mg2%3%
165ChembaliFish and seafood0.32 mg2%2%
166MathaFish and seafood0.32 mg2%2%
167Bitter gourd (karela)Vegetables and mushrooms0.31 mg2%2%
168CauliflowerVegetables and mushrooms0.31 mg2%2%
169Cauliflower leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.31 mg2%2%
170Chillies (green and red)Spices, herbs and condiments0.31 mg2%2%
171Drumstick (moringa pods)Vegetables and mushrooms0.31 mg2%2%
172Parrot fishFish and seafood0.31 mg2%2%
173Wood apple (kaitha)Fruits0.31 mg2%2%
174Beet rootRoots and tubers0.3 mg2%2%
175ZucchiniVegetables and mushrooms0.29 mg2%2%
176PotatoRoots and tubers0.28 mg2%2%
177Yam (suran)Roots and tubers0.26 mg2%2%
178CarrotRoots and tubers0.25 mg1%2%
179KarondaFruits0.25 mg1%2%
180LitchiFruits0.24 mg1%2%
181Star fruitFruits0.24 mg1%2%
182GuavaFruits0.23 mg1%2%
183Plantain (raw banana)Vegetables and mushrooms0.23 mg1%2%
184Pointed gourd (parwal)Vegetables and mushrooms0.23 mg1%2%
185Custard apple (sitaphal)Fruits0.22 mg1%2%
186FigFruits0.22 mg1%2%
187RaisinsFruits0.22 mg1%2%
188Ridge gourd (turai)Vegetables and mushrooms0.22 mg1%2%
189Brinjal (baingan)Vegetables and mushrooms0.21 mg1%2%
190CurrantsFruits0.21 mg1%2%
191MangosteenFruits0.21 mg1%2%
192Tinda (round gourd)Vegetables and mushrooms0.2 mg1%2%
193Celery stalkVegetables and mushrooms0.18 mg1%1%
194Chikoo (sapota)Fruits0.18 mg1%1%
195Ivy gourd (kundru)Vegetables and mushrooms0.18 mg1%1%
196PomegranateFruits0.18 mg1%1%
197Button mushroomVegetables and mushrooms0.17 mg1%1%
198CucumberVegetables and mushrooms0.17 mg1%1%
199Jackfruit (ripe)Fruits0.17 mg1%1%
200Raw jackfruitVegetables and mushrooms0.17 mg1%1%
201Sole fishFish and seafood0.17 mg1%1%
202Tapioca (cassava)Roots and tubers0.17 mg1%1%
203Beet greensGreen leafy vegetables0.16 mg1%1%
204CabbageGreen leafy vegetables0.16 mg1%1%
205Pak Choi leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.16 mg1%1%
206RadishRoots and tubers0.16 mg1%1%
207Sweet potatoRoots and tubers0.16 mg1%1%
208Bottle gourd (lauki)Vegetables and mushrooms0.15 mg1%1%
209CapsicumVegetables and mushrooms0.15 mg1%1%
210Knol-khol (kohlrabi)Vegetables and mushrooms0.15 mg1%1%
211BaelFruits0.14 mg1%1%
212BananaFruits0.14 mg1%1%
213PumpkinVegetables and mushrooms0.14 mg1%1%
214Snake gourdVegetables and mushrooms0.14 mg1%1%
215StrawberryFruits0.14 mg1%1%
216SugarcaneSugars and natural drinks0.14 mg1%1%
217Ash gourd (petha)Vegetables and mushrooms0.13 mg1%1%
218CherriesFruits0.12 mg1%1%
219MangoFruits0.12 mg1%1%
220SoursopFruits0.12 mg1%1%
221TomatoVegetables and mushrooms0.12 mg1%1%
222Black berryFruits0.11 mg1%1%
223Ber (Indian jujube)Fruits0.1 mg1%1%
224Chow chow (chayote)Vegetables and mushrooms0.1 mg1%1%
225PeachFruits0.1 mg1%1%
226PineappleFruits0.1 mg1%1%
227PlumFruits0.1 mg1%1%
228WatermelonFruits0.1 mg1%1%
229AppleFruits0.09 mg1%1%
230MuskmelonFruits0.09 mg1%1%
231Raw mangoVegetables and mushrooms0.09 mg1%1%
232Lemon (juice)Fruits0.08 mg0%1%
233PapayaFruits0.08 mg0%1%
234Raw papayaVegetables and mushrooms0.08 mg0%1%
235PearFruits0.07 mg0%1%
236JamunFruits0.06 mg0%0%
237PomeloFruits0.06 mg0%0%
238Amla (Indian gooseberry)Fruits0.05 mg0%0%
239GrapesFruits0.05 mg0%0%
240Palm fruit (tadgola)Fruits0.05 mg0%0%
241Sweet lime (mosambi)Fruits0.05 mg0%0%
242Coconut waterSugars and natural drinks0.04 mg0%0%
243OrangeFruits0.04 mg0%0%

Values per 100 g of the edible portion. Source: Longvah T, Ananthan R, Bhaskarachary K, Venkaiah K. Indian Food Composition Tables 2017. National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research, Hyderabad. Daily needs: ICMR-NIN 2020 recommended dietary allowances for a 65 kg man and a 55 kg woman doing sedentary work (brief note).

Cite this page

NNWA Nutrition and Wellness Academy. Zinc content of Indian foods. Data: Indian Food Composition Tables 2017, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition. https://nnwa.in/foods/nutrients/zinc/

03Vegetarian sources

The top vegetarian sources of zinc

Top vegetarian sources of zinc per 100 g
FoodGroupPer 100 g
Oyster mushroom (dried)Vegetables and mushrooms8.67 mg
Sesame seeds (til)Nuts and oilseeds8.59 mg
Sunflower seedsNuts and oilseeds7.07 mg
Poppy seedsSpices, herbs and condiments6.38 mg
Ajwain (carom seeds)Spices, herbs and condiments5.67 mg
Cashew nutNuts and oilseeds5.34 mg
Niger seedsNuts and oilseeds4.98 mg
Flaxseeds (alsi)Nuts and oilseeds4.86 mg
Garden cress seeds (halim)Nuts and oilseeds4.83 mg
Cumin seedsSpices, herbs and condiments4.29 mg
Pine nuts (chilgoza)Nuts and oilseeds4.18 mg
Mustard seedsNuts and oilseeds4.03 mg
Soya beanPulses and legumes4.01 mg
Coriander seedsSpices, herbs and condiments3.91 mg
Safflower seedsNuts and oilseeds3.9 mg
04How much you need

Zinc requirements for Indians

ICMR-NIN 2020 sets the recommended zinc intake at 17 mg a day for a 65 kg man and 13 mg a day for a 55 kg woman, with estimated average requirements of 14 mg and 11 mg. The zinc figures are set high partly because phytate in Indian cereal and pulse meals cuts how much is absorbed.

Few single foods supply anything close to a day's zinc in a normal portion, so the need is met by small amounts from many foods: grains and dal at every meal, plus seeds, nuts, dairy, eggs or meat. Zinc supplements should be taken only on medical advice, because an excess interferes with copper.

05Using the table

From a table to a plate

The zinc values describe 100 g of raw food. A tablespoon of sesame or sunflower seeds weighs far less than 100 g, so seeds top up zinc rather than supply all of it. Zinc from meat and seafood is absorbed more easily than zinc from grains, pulses and seeds, where phytate holds some back. Soaking, sprouting and fermenting reduce that phytate, so a sprouted moong salad or a fermented batter gives up more of its zinc than the raw figure suggests.

  • Soak, sprout or ferment pulses and grains before cooking; this lowers phytate and frees more zinc.
  • Sprinkle roasted til or sunflower seeds over poha, upma, salads and raita.
  • Choose whole chana, masoor and soya several times a week, since they carry more zinc than most cereals.
  • For non-vegetarians, mutton, lamb, eggs and shellfish such as oysters and clams are well-absorbed sources.
  • Favour fermented batters such as idli, dosa and dhokla, which carry less phytate than unfermented grain dishes.
06Questions

What people ask about zinc

Which Indian food has the most zinc?

In IFCT 2017, dried oyster mushroom leads at 8.67 mg per 100 g, then sesame seeds at 8.59 mg, oysters at 7.35 mg and sunflower seeds at 7.07 mg. Among everyday foods, cashew at 5.34 mg, mutton at 4.19 mg and soya bean at 4.01 mg are useful.

How much zinc do adults need per day?

For zinc, ICMR-NIN 2020 recommends 17 mg a day for adult men and 13 mg for adult women, with average requirements of 14 mg and 11 mg. The figures allow for the phytate in typical Indian meals, which lowers absorption.

What are good vegetarian sources of zinc?

Sesame seeds at 8.59 mg per 100 g, sunflower seeds at 7.07 mg, cashew at 5.34 mg and flaxseeds at 4.86 mg lead the plant foods in IFCT 2017. Soya bean, chana and masoor dal each carry between about 3.6 and 4 mg.

Can too much zinc be harmful?

From food, it is very unlikely. High-dose supplements taken for weeks can upset the stomach and interfere with copper absorption. Take zinc tablets only when a doctor advises them.

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