About Phosphorus
Phosphorus is the second most abundant mineral in the body after calcium. It forms the structural backbone of bones and teeth (as hydroxyapatite), is a component of every cell membrane (as phospholipids), and is central to energy metabolism as part of ATP and creatine phosphate. It is also required for DNA and RNA. Phosphorus is found in virtually all whole plant foods — wholegrains, legumes, nuts, and seeds are particularly rich.
Rare from dietary insufficiency alone. Hypophosphataemia can occur in refeeding syndrome, severe malnutrition, or with antacid overuse. Symptoms include bone pain, muscle weakness, and fatigue.
Chronic high phosphorus intake — especially from phosphate additives in processed foods — may elevate PTH and impair calcium balance, contributing to bone loss over time. Of most concern in people with kidney disease, who cannot excrete phosphorus efficiently.
Daily Reference Intake
per European Regulation 1169/2011
= 1204% of daily NRV
used in our database
Foods Containing Phosphorus
1063 foods with recorded data, ranked highest first. Showing 1–100 of 1,063. Values per 100g fresh weight.
* 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.