Foods That Are Rich In Nitric Oxide And L-arginine

L-arginine is an amino acid the body uses to produce certain types of proteins. When the body uses l-arginine, nitric oxide is produced, meaning the two are closely linked. Nitric oxide is vital to your heart health because it is responsible for opening the blood vessels and strengthening the inner lining of your blood vessels, allowing blood to flow through more freely. Although you can take l-arginine supplements, you also can increase your intake of certain foods known to contain the amino acid.

Animal Products

Animal products that are high in protein typically contain l-arginine. Examples include chicken, which has 1.74g of l-arginine per 100g serving -- a serving size of about 3.5 oz. Shrimp and pork also contain l-arginine although in lesser amounts than chicken. Fish are a good source -- choose sources like tuna, salmon and mackerel. Eggs also contain l-arginine, but must be eaten whole. Whole milk also has l-arginine -- about 0.08g per 100g serving.

Nuts

Nuts are another high-protein source of l-arginine and nitric oxide. Spanish peanuts contain 3.13g of l-arginine per 100g serving. Other nut sources include peanuts, almond nuts, walnuts and hazelnuts. Brazil nuts, cashew nuts, pistachios and pecans also contain l-arginine.

Lentils and Beans

Lentils also are known as pulses, and come in a variety of colors and seed-like shapes. They also are a good source of l-arginine, containing 2.17g per 100g serving. Kidney beans, soybeans and French beans also contain l-arginine. Tofu, which is prepared from soybeans, also contains l-arginine.

Additional Foods

Other foods that contain l-arginine include flax seed, which also is high in heart-healthy Omega-3 fatty acids. Whole-grain wheat flour, garlic, raw onions and chocolate syrup also have amounts of l-arginine.

Considerations

While l-arginine is generally considered to be beneficial for your body, there are some instances where you should avoid l-arginine-containing foods. This is because l-arginine interferes with the expression of lysine in the body. Lysine is used to reduce the incidence of a viral infection, such as chickenpox or a cold sore. Avoid l-arginine foods at this time to improve your healing times. Also, pregnant women may be advised to curb their l-arginine intake.