EXPLORE A NUTRIENT
Selenium, Se
Discover how amounts vary across foods, on a shared basis for comparison.
Understand this nutrient ↓What is it?
The element Se is reported in µg; its amount does not identify a particular compound. [1] [2]
An identity reference, not the appearance of the food.
Description, source and attribution
Element Se, atomic number 34. The graphic does not assign an oxidation state or compound to the food measurement.
Original Bitameans element graphic; symbol and atomic number from PubChem. Source · Reuse terms
Source check:
A COMMON BASIS
Foods, per 100 g
168 foods with data 38 not reported, excluded from ranking
- Beet
Beet, boiled and drained; added salt is not stated in the source description.
0.7 µg - Ginger
Raw ginger root.
0.7 µg - Hearts of palm
Hearts of palm, canned, exactly as identified by USDA.
0.7 µg - Jicama
Yambean (jicama), raw, exactly as identified by USDA.
0.7 µg - Pine nuts
Nuts, pine nuts, dried, exactly as identified by USDA.
0.7 µg - Rutabaga
Rutabagas, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt, exactly as identified by USDA.
0.7 µg - Yam
Yam, cooked, boiled, drained, or baked, without salt, exactly as identified by USDA.
0.7 µg - Acerola
Acerola, (west indian cherry), raw, exactly as identified by USDA.
0.6 µg - Breadfruit
Breadfruit, raw, exactly as identified by USDA.
0.6 µg - Bulgur
Cooked bulgur; added salt/fat not specified in the source description.
0.6 µg - Prickly pear
Prickly pears, raw, exactly as identified by USDA.
0.6 µg - Cauliflower
Cauliflower, boiled, drained, without salt.
0.6 µg
All results are sorted before pagination. Bars compare amounts within this search; they do not indicate health benefits. Not reported does not mean zero.
UNDERSTAND THE DATA
The nutrient, in context
How to read this ranking
This page compares Selenium, Se (Selenium, Se), in µg per 100 g of food.
Chemical forms and measurement methods remain separate. “Not reported” means a value is unavailable, not that the food contains zero. A food’s rank does not determine your individual needs or diagnose a deficiency.
This NIH fact sheet concerns this nutrient. Its recommended amounts describe daily intake for the stated population, not a 100 g food portion. Keep food and supplement exposure separate as the source specifies.
NIH · OFFICE OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS
Selenium: Fact Sheet for Consumers
Original text published by NIH, including intake tables by age and sex, cautions, and the population context the source states. Bitameans has not performed an independent medical review or adapted these recommendations to your personal circumstances.
What is selenium and what does it do?
Selenium is a nutrient that the body needs to stay healthy. Your thyroid gland needs selenium to produce hormones and function properly. Selenium is also needed for reproduction, to make DNA, to help protect cells, and to resist infection.
How much selenium do I need?
The amount of selenium that you need each day depends on your age. Average daily recommended amounts are listed below in micrograms (mcg).
| Life Stage | Recommended Amount |
|---|---|
| Birth to 6 months | 15 mcg |
Identity and structure sources
- PubChem Periodic Table of Elements · Accessed 2026-09-13
- USDA FoodData Central: Foundation Foods Documentation · Accessed 2026-09-13