10/21/2025
Low zinc causes hair loss as it is needed for keratin production. You need about 10 mg a day…
Here are the top 10 highest-zinc foods, ranked by zinc content per typical serving 👇
🥘 Food 🍽️ Serving Size ⚖️ Zinc (mg) 💡 Notes
1. Oysters (cooked) 3 oz (about 6 medium) 32 mg Highest natural source of zinc by far
2. Beef (chuck roast, cooked) 3 oz 7 mg Excellent source, highly absorbable
3. Crab (Alaskan king, cooked) 3 oz 6.5 mg Also high in protein
4. Lobster (cooked) 3 oz 3.5 mg Lean seafood option
5. Pork (loin, cooked) 3 oz 2.9 mg Good source of both zinc and B vitamins
6. Chicken (dark meat, cooked) 3 oz 2.4 mg Readily absorbed
7. Pumpkin seeds (roasted) 1 oz (¼ cup) 2.2 mg Great vegetarian source
8. Cashews (roasted) 1 oz (about 18 nuts) 1.6 mg Healthy fats and zinc combo
9. Chickpeas (cooked) ½ cup 1.3 mg Good plant-based option
10. Yogurt (plain, low-fat) 1 cup 1.3 mg Zinc plus probiotics and calcium
• Animal zinc is absorbed about 2–3× better than plant zinc.
• To boost absorption from plant sources, soak or sprout beans and grains, or pair them with vitamin C–rich foods (like lemon or peppers).
• Avoid taking zinc with high-fiber meals, iron, or calcium supplements at the same time — they can compete for absorption