The taurine content of common foodstuffs.

There is growing evidence that taurine is a biologically valuable nutrient. However, there are few published data concerning the taurine content of different foods. We measured the taurine content of 29 meats, including both cooked and uncooked samples, nine dairy products, 17 infant or adult-feeding solutions and 48 plant foods (including vegetables, nuts or seeds, fruits and legumes. Taurine was detected in meats, dairy products, and infant feeding solutions but not in plant products or adult feeding solutions. Using these data, we compared calculated and measured daily taurine intakes in six defined diets. We present sample daily diets for omnivores, lacto-ovovegetarians and vegans (strict vegetarians), together with calculated taurine intakes.