What Nuts Are Highest in Lysine and Lower in Arginine?

Bad news, everyone: nuts have a low lysine/arginine ratio.

This means they contain considerably more arginine than lysine, which can be unfavorable for individuals with the herpes virus, as arginine is linked to outbreaks and may trigger cold sores.

On the bright side, arginine has health benefits, and its availability to the virus can be inhibited by adding more lysine through diet via foods such as dairy, other animal products, or supplements.

But when it comes to nuts specifically, some are better than others. Specifically pistachios, cashews and chestnuts have a lysine/arginine ratio of around 0.5. this means they roughly half as much lysine and arginine.
Other nuts like peanuts, almonds, pecans and Walnuts have considerably lower ratio of around 0.25 - that's three to four times more arginine than lysine!

Below, a comprehensive breakdown of the lysine and arginine contents in nuts:

Nuts With The Highest Lysine / Arginine Ratio

Nuts	Lysine (mg/100g)	Arginine (mg/100g)	Lysine/Arginine Ratio
Pistachios	1281	2178	0.588
Cashews	154	294	0.523
Chestnuts	154	294	0.523
Peanuts	1006	3503	0.287
Almonds	664	2486	0.267
Pecans	292	1104	0.265
Walnuts	329	1416	0.232
Brazil Nuts	539	2386	0.226
Hazelnuts	340	1704	0.199
Pine Nuts	91	474	0.192
Hickory Nuts	33	211	0.156

Nuts ranked by their lysine/arginine ratio. From our food database.

1. Pistachios

Pistachios are seeds of the pistachio tree, known for their green color and slightly sweet taste.
These nuts contain 6g of protein per ounce and are a good source of plant-based protein.They are also a good source of energy with 161 calories per ounce.
Pistachios have the highest lysine/arginine ratio among nuts, around 0.8.
This means they contain roughly half as much lysine as arginine, making them a better choice compared to other similar foods.

2. Cashews

Cashews are seeds that contain 5.2g of protein per ounce.

They are a good source of energy with 157 calories per ounce.
These are rich in unsaturated fats and potassium, both of which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory traits.
Cashews also have a lysine/arginine ratio close to 0.5, making them a better choice among nuts for those looking to increase their lysine intake.

3. Chestnuts

Chestnuts are true nuts that are a good source of carbohydrates.

They contain 3.2g of protein per 100g and provide 245 calories per 100g.
They are rich in dietary fiber, vitamin C, and essential minerals like manganese and copper.
Chestnuts, like pistachios and cashews, have a lysine/arginine ratio of around than 0.5, which is higher than most other types of nuts.

4. Peanuts

Peanuts and peanut butter are nutritionally rich and very high in both lysine and arginine, but they contain roughly three times more arginine with a lysine/arginine ratio of around 0.30.
Despite their name, peanuts are actually legumes.

They contain 25.8g of protein per 100g and provide 567 calories per 100g.
Peanuts are a good source of unsaturated fats and fiber, making them a good choice for people on low-carb diets.

5. Almonds

Almonds are a type of nut that is a good source of plant-based protein, with 6g of protein per ounce.

They provide 164 calories per ounce and are rich in unsaturated fats.
These nuts also contain a significant amount of copper, a mineral essential for energy production, healthy brain development, and a strong immune system.
Almonds have a lower lysine/arginine ratio of around 0.25, indicating a higher arginine content compared to lysine.

6. Pecans

Pecans are true nuts that are high in unsaturated fats.

They contain 2.6g of protein per ounce and provide 196 calories per ounce.
They are also a good source of fiber, which helps keep you regular and supports the growth of healthy bacteria in your gut.
Pecans, similar to almonds, have a lysine/arginine ratio of around 0.25, suggesting a dominance of arginine over lysine.

7. Walnuts

Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fats. They contain 4.3g of protein per ounce and provide 183 calories per ounce.
They are also a good source of antioxidants, even after cooking.
Walnuts, like pecans and almonds, have a lysine/arginine ratio of around 0.25, signifying a greater presence of arginine.