The Best Vegan Food Sources of Biotin [CHART]

T

Biotin (aka vitamin B7) is an ingredient you’ll see in almost all hair strengthening products (like shampoo).

It’s important for a wide variety of things in the body, but if you’re deficient in it, the most noticeable effects are hair loss and rashes on your skin.

Since biotin is found in small amounts in many foods, deficiency isn’t too common.

The problem is that the best sources of biotin are not vegan.

How Much Biotin Do You Need?

Before we start, you need to know how much biotin do you need per day. While there’s no RDA, medical professionals say adults should have 30 to 100 micrograms (mcg) of biotin per day.

The table below shows the adequate intake levels of biotin from the NIH:

biotin rda

If you suspect you’re deficient, eat a lot of the foods that are high in biotin for a few weeks, or try a supplement. See my post on the best vegan biotin supplements if you want recommendations.

Keep in mind that hair loss can be caused by other things as well, biotin deficiency is just a common one.

The Top Food Sources of Biotin

The best source of data I could find was this research paper from 2004. They tested dozens of foods that contain biotin to find specific values. It’s not a complete list, but is very thorough.

The best categories of foods with biotin (from best to worst in general), are:

  • Meat
  • Fish
  • Eggs
  • Dairy
  • Nuts
  • Vegetables
  • Certain Fruits
  • Bread

So there are quite a few vegan sources, but we miss out on the best overall sources. For example, a serving of any common animal liver has several times the daily amount we’re aiming for.

The Best Vegan Food Sources of Biotin

I’ve divided the foods up into the same categories above for simplicity.

Keep in mind that the researchers did not test every vegan food (far from it). Instead, they tried to test foods that are supposed to have significant amounts of biotin on them.

I’m sure there are some good ones missing, so focus on general trends. For example, nuts have a lot, so I’m sure that there are other nuts not on this list that have a good amount.

Nuts and Seeds With Biotin

Here are the nuts and seeds tested:

Food Serving size (g) Biotin/serving (mcg)
Peanuts 28 4.91
Sunflower seeds 31 2.42
Almonds 30 1.32
Walnuts 30 0.78
Pecans 30 0.6

Okay, peanuts are legumes, but close enough.

For reference, 30 grams of nuts is about a fifth of a cup, or 172 calories. So you’re not getting 100% of your biotin from nuts and seeds, but you can get a portion of it.

Vegetable Sources of Biotin

Some vegetables are the best source of biotin, mainly because they contain few calories.

The best vegetables are mushrooms, sweet potato, broccoli, and leafy greens like spinach:

Food Serving size (g) Biotin/serving (mcg)
Mushrooms 120 2.59
Sweet potato 80 1.16
Broccoli 113 1.07
Spinach 83 0.58
Carrots 29 0.18
Corn 125 0.06
Cauliflower 32 0.05
Green beans 120 0.01

Fruits With Biotin

A decent number of fruits have significant amounts of biotin:

Food Serving size (g) Biotin/serving (mcg)
Strawberries 111 1.67
Orange juice 296 1.22
Avocado 37 0.36
Tomatoes 43 0.3
Raspberries 140 0.25
Raisins 43 0.17
Banana 103 0.14
Apple juice 250 0.13
Orange 258 0.13
Apple 185 0.04

Strangely enough orange juice is high in biotin, while oranges are relatively low (yes I double-checked!).

Grains With Biotin

Grains don’t have much biotin in them, but oatmeal seems like a decent source:

Food Serving size (g) Biotin/serving (mcg)
Grilled Toast 84 1.03
Oatmeal 190 0.36
Noodles 180 0.32
Hamburger bun 58 0.17
Grits 190 0.1
Whole wheat bread 33 0.02

I’m not sure why grilled toast would be so high, while whole wheat bread is so low in biotin. Unfortunately there’s just not much other data out there.

What About Biotin in Legumes?

Legumes are the huge question mark that I had while researching this, where are they?

For some reason, they weren’t included in this study, or any others that I could find really.

Given that peanuts are overall the best vegan food source of biotin, you’d think that other legumes are also good.

One Japanese study found that natto (a product made from soybeans, similar to tempeh) has 13-40 mcg of biotin per gram of natto. Almonds have 44 mcg/g for reference, so about the same amount.

That study also found that there was 2.98 mcg/mL in soy milk, which is incredibly high (~750 mcg per cup), and way higher than cow milk (0.364 mcg/mL).

In summary, I don’t know why legumes (beans, lentils, etc.) have not been studied more (or at all?) for biotin content, but I think the little evidence we have here points to them being an incredibly good source.

Summary of Vegan Biotin Food Sources

We saw that animal products are generally best in terms of biotin content, but there are still many vegan foods that have a significant amount of biotin.

Unfortunately, there is limited published data on biotin content, so we don’t have a complete picture.

What we can say at this point is:

  • Nuts and seeds are solid sources of biotin.
  • Certain vegetables like mushrooms, potatoes, broccoli, and leafy greens are good sources.
  • Some fruits like strawberries, orange juice, and avocado are decent sources.
  • While we don’t have enough data, legumes are likely a very good source of biotin, particularly soy.

So if you’re seeing some hair loss, try out eating the foods here highest in biotin for a few weeks, or try a supplement if you’d like to make it easier.

If that doesn’t work, go see a doctor, because there is likely something else causing your problems.

Common Questions About Vegans and Biotin

Are plant sources of biotin worse than animal sources?

Plant sources of biotin are not necessarily worse than animal sources. However, plant sources do tend to contain a smaller amount in general. Common plant sources include nuts, seeds, legumes, and vegetables, while animal sources include eggs, meat, and dairy products.

Are there vegan biotin supplements available, and how effective are they compared to getting biotin from food?

Yes, there are vegan biotin supplements available, typically derived from plant sources or produced synthetically. The effectiveness of vegan biotin supplements is comparable to those derived from animal sources. Biotin supplements can be a convenient option for individuals who may have difficulty obtaining sufficient biotin from their diet, especially for those following a strict vegan or vegetarian diet. However, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any supplementation.

Is there any synergy or antagonism between biotin and other nutrients that we need to be aware of when planning our diet?

Biotin works in conjunction with other B-vitamins and is involved in various metabolic processes in the body. While there is no significant synergy or antagonism reported between biotin and other nutrients, it is essential to maintain a well-balanced diet that includes a variety of vitamins and minerals. A diverse and nutrient-rich diet supports overall health and ensures that all essential nutrients work together harmoniously.

Are there any risks associated with consuming too much biotin from foods or supplements?

Biotin is water-soluble, meaning excess amounts are usually excreted in urine and generally not stored in the body. As a result, there is a low risk of toxicity from consuming too much biotin through food sources. However, when taking biotin supplements, it’s important to follow recommended dosage guidelines. High doses of biotin supplements, often taken for hair and nail health, can interfere with certain laboratory test results, leading to potential misdiagnoses. It’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before taking high-dose biotin supplements to avoid any potential complications.

About the author

Dale Cudmore

Your friendly neighborhood vegan from Toronto. I've spent over 6 years as a freelance nutrition writer and researcher. During this time, I've tested over 50 vegan protein powders, and over 100 other types of vegan supplements.