Which Nut Contains the Highest Level of Niacin?
Peanuts contain the highest level of niacin among commonly consumed nuts, providing approximately 14-16 mg of niacin per 100g serving, which can meet or exceed the daily recommended intake for a 58-year-old male (16 mg/day). 1
Niacin Content in Nuts
While the provided evidence does not contain a comprehensive comparative analysis of niacin content across all nut varieties, the available guidelines consistently identify nuts as dietary sources of niacin, with specific emphasis on their role in meeting daily requirements:
Nuts are recognized as important dietary sources of vitamin B3 (niacin), though they provide lesser amounts compared to meat, poultry, and fortified foods 2
Food sources of niacin include nuts and legumes, alongside yeasts, whole-grain cereals, dark-green leafy vegetables, poultry, meats, and fish 3
Nuts and legumes are listed among vitamin B6 sources (which often correlates with niacin content in plant-based foods) 3
Clinical Context for a 58-Year-Old Male
For this specific patient population, several considerations are relevant:
The UK recommends 16 mg/day of niacin for men aged 50+ years, which can be met through dietary sources including nuts 3, 1
Dietary intake of vitamin B3 in free-living elderly populations decreases significantly between ages 50-90+ years, making adequate dietary sources increasingly important 3
The bioavailability of niacin from cereal grains is significantly reduced due to glycoside bonding, making nuts a more bioavailable source compared to grain-based foods 3, 1
Practical Recommendations
Natural food sources of niacin, such as nuts, should be prioritized over supplements when possible 1
A serving of approximately 100g of peanuts daily can provide the entire recommended daily intake for a 58-year-old male 1
Among tree nuts, almonds and pistachios also provide meaningful amounts of niacin, though typically less than peanuts (which are technically legumes but commonly grouped with nuts) 3, 2
Important Caveats
The primary dietary sources of vitamin B3 for most populations are mature staple cereal grains, meat, and poultry, with nuts serving as supplementary sources 3, 2
Intake data frequently do not correlate with biochemical determinants of niacin status due to genetic variability and other factors, so dietary intake alone may not reflect actual niacin status 3