About this page: Data is drawn from Nutriofia's structured database of published sources (CoFID, USDA, and published analytical literature). The coverage bar shows what percentage of our 1136 foods have been measured for Cysteine. This is a research tool — nothing here constitutes medical advice.

About Cysteine

A sulphur-containing amino acid important for glutathione (antioxidant defence), protein structure (disulphide bonds) and keratin formation.

⚠️ Too little

Isolated deficiency is uncommon with adequate dietary protein; issues are more likely in severe undernutrition or certain medical conditions.

🚫 Too much

Excess from food is generally handled by normal metabolism; high-dose single-amino-acid supplements may cause side effects or be inappropriate for some conditions.

Sources: WHO/FAO/UNU · NHS (patient leaflet)
⚠️ Partial database coverage (15.2%)
Only 173 of 1136 foods in the database have a recorded value for Cysteine. The ranked list below shows what we have — foods not in the list simply haven't been measured yet rather than containing none.

Foods Containing Cysteine

173 foods with recorded data, ranked highest first. Showing 101–173 of 173. Values per 100g fresh weight.

# Food Per 100g Level
★ Cheese, Brie 0.12 g
★ Cannellini Beans 0.114 g
★ Marrowfat Peas (Dry) 0.104 g
4 Cheese, Feta 0.095 g
5 Peas, frozen, boiled 0.09 g
6 Juniper “seeds” 0.09 g
7 Mustard, prepared, yellow 0.08 g
8 Cheese spread, plain 0.08 g
9 Garden Peas 0.075 g
10 Cheese, cottage 0.073 g
11 Garlic, raw 0.064 g
12 Yoghurt, Greek-style, plain 0.058 g
13 Yoghurt, whole milk, plain 0.052 g
14 Carrots, frozen, unprepared 0.048 g
15 Yoghurt, low fat, plain 0.047 g
16 Broccoli 0.044 g
17 Chestnuts, roasted (no added fat/salt) 0.04 g
18 Sweetcorn, frozen, boiled 0.034 g
19 Figs, dried, uncooked 0.033 g
20 Milk, skimmed, pasteurised 0.032 g
21 Mushrooms, closed cup, raw 0.031 g
22 Milk, semi-skimmed, pasteurised 0.031 g
23 Milk, whole, pasteurised 0.03 g
24 Kiwifruit, green, raw 0.028 g
25 Spinach, baby, raw 0.026 g
26 Green Beans 0.019 g
27 Potatoes, boiled (unsalted) 0.019 g
28 Cauliflower, raw 0.019 g
29 Pomegranate seeds (arils) 0.016 g
30 Cheese, cream 0.015 g
31 Cabbage, white, raw 0.012 g
32 Courgette, raw 0.012 g
33 Lettuce, average, raw 0.012 g
34 Peaches, yellow, raw 0.011 g
35 Tomatoes, cherry, raw 0.011 g
36 Onions, raw 0.011 g
37 Cream, double 0.01 g
38 Cherries, flesh and skin, raw 0.01 g
39 Aubergine, raw 0.01 g
40 Bananas, raw, flesh only 0.01 g
41 Tomato 0.009 g
42 Nectarines, flesh and skin, raw 0.008 g
43 Peaches, raw, flesh and skin 0.008 g
44 Blueberries, raw 0.007 g
45 Apricots, raw, flesh and skin 0.007 g
46 Grapefruit, flesh only, raw 0.007 g
47 Blueberries 0.007 g
48 Celery, raw 0.007 g
49 Satsuma 0.006 g
50 Tangerine 0.006 g
51 Clementine 0.006 g
52 Pineapple, raw 0.006 g
53 Cucumber 0.006 g
54 Oranges, flesh only 0.006 g
55 Limes, flesh only 0.006 g
56 Mangoes, ripe, flesh only, raw 0.006 g
57 Lemons, whole, without pips 0.006 g
58 Kiwi fruit, flesh only, raw 0.006 g
59 Melon, Honeydew, flesh only, weighed whole 0.006 g
60 Plums, Victoria, flesh and skin, raw 0.005 g
61 Strawberries, raw 0.005 g
62 Apples, eating, raw (flesh + skin) 0.005 g
63 Nectarines, raw 0.005 g
64 Melon, Galia, flesh only 0.004 g
65 Pineapple, flesh only, raw 0.004 g
66 Blackberries, raw 0.004 g
67 Pears, raw, bartlett 0.002 g
68 Grapes, green 0.002 g
69 Pears, raw, flesh and skin 0.002 g
70 Grapes, red 0.002 g
71 Grapes, raw 0.002 g
72 Pears, raw 0.002 g
73 Raspberries, raw 0.001 g

* Values are per 100g fresh weight. % NRV = percentage of EU Nutrient Reference Value. Bar shows relative level compared to the highest value across all foods in the database.

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Data sources: Standard nutrients: McCance & Widdowson's Composition of Foods Integrated Dataset (CoFID), Public Health England. EU Nutrient Reference Values: Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 (Annex XIII). All values per 100g fresh weight unless stated. Nothing here constitutes medical advice. Nutriofia database · Argarth Collective Ltd · Company No. 16864945.