AGE Content of Foods

Hot dogs are high in AGEs.
Hot dogs are high in AGEs. (Photo by TheBusyBrain)

There are two ways that advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) are formed: inside the body or outside the body. These are known as endogenous and exogenous AGEs, respectively. The accumulation of AGEs is one of the seven types of aging damage.

While it's uncertain just how big a role exogenous crosslinks play in aging, consuming excess amounts of AGEs through diet has been shown to cause serious health problems in animals and humans. Therefore, it seems useful to have some idea of which foods are especially high in AGEs.

The following is a list of the AGE contents of commonly consumed foods. Currently, the data is based on one study (link). The authors state:

Two-hundred fifty foods were tested for their content in a common AGE marker (epsilon)N-carboxymethyllysine (CML), using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay based on an anti-CML monoclonal antibody. Lipid and protein AGEs were represented in units of AGEs per gram of food. --

-- A limitation of the present data is reliance on CML, a single AGE marker, while many other AGEs/ALEs are generated in food, albeit of unknown significance. In practical terms, however, CML is a commonly measured AGE/ALE compound, used routinely as an indicator of the AGE/ALE burden in numerous animal and human studies

Other ways of measuring AGEs might produce different values, so the numbers below serve mostly to give a rough idea of the relative AGE contents of foods. If you want to compare your own intake with others, here's a quote from the full paper:

In a preliminary survey of the usual daily AGE intake, we analyzed 3-day food records from healthy individuals (n=34). Mean daily AGE intake was 16,000±5,000 kU AGE. These data were used to define a high- or low-AGE diet, depending on whether the estimated daily AGE intake is significantly greater or less than 16,000 kU AGE. A similar investigation in 40 type 2 diabetic patients showed a daily AGE intake of 18,000±7,000 kU AGE, with major proportions of AGE contributed by broiled, fried, grilled, and roasted meat and meat alternatives.

So anything above 16,000 kU (see the list below for values) per day would put you in the high-AGE category. Again, keep in mind that we are talking about crosslinks produces outside body; whatever happens once the foods are digested, important as it may be, is beyond the scope of this post. Based on the data, we can make the following generalizations:

  • Fats and meat products contain the most AGEs
  • Carbohydrates are relatively low in AGEs
  • Higher cooking temperatures increase AGEs
  • Longer cooking times increase AGEs
  • The presence of liquids in cooking reduces AGEs
  • Processed foods have more AGEs than natural or homemade foods

I will try to keep this post updated as I come across new data to include in the list, so remember to check back every now and then. Below, AGEs are expressed either as units per gram (for solids) or units per milliliter (for liquids). Serving sizes are grams, and AGEs per serving are expressed as kilounits.






























































































































































































FatsAGEs (U/g)
Serving (g)
AGEs/serving (kU)
Almonds, roasted66,514301,995
Avocado15,77230473
Butter264,87351,324
Cashews, roasted 98,082 30 2,942
Cream cheese, Philadelphia soft 108,843 30 3,265
Margarine, 60% vegetable oil175,1925876
Mayonnaise 94,0105 470
Mayonnaise, imitation 2,000 5 10
Mayonnaise, low fat 22,011 5 110
Olive, ripe16,68630501
Peanut butter, smooth 75,183 30 2,255
Walnuts, roasted 78,874 30 2,366
Salad dressing, Caesar7,37115111
Salad dressing, French, Lite 11 15 0
Salad dressing, Italian, Lite 8 15 0
BeefAGEs (U/g)
Serving (g)
AGEs/serving (kU)
Frankfurter, boiled 7 min74,850906,736
Frankfurter, broiled 5 min112,697 90 10,143
Hamburger, fried 6 min 26,391 90 2,375
Hamburger, fast food 54,176 90 4,876
Meatball, boiled in sauce 1 h 28,519 90 2,567
Meat loaf, crust off, roasted 45 min 18,619 90 1,676
Roast beef 60,708 90 5,464
Shoulder cut, boiled 1 h 22,305 90 2,007
Shoulder cut, broiled 15 min 59,636 90 5,367
Bacon, microwave 3 min 90,228 13 1,173
Deli ham, smoked 23,491 90 2,114
Pork chop, pan fried 7 min47,526 90 4,277
Beef and pork links, pan fried 54,255 45 2,441
Sausage, pork links, microwave 1 min 59,438 90 5,349
PoultryAGEs (U/g)
Serving (g)
AGEs/serving (kU)
Chicken breast, skinless cubes, pan fried 15 min 61,221 90 5,510
Steamed 10 min and broiled 12 min 56,348 90 5,071
Pan fried 10 min and boiled 12 min 63,398 90 5,706
Chicken breast, skinless cutlet, raw 7,686 90 692
Boiled 1 h 11,236 90 1,011
Broiled 15 min 58,281 90 5,245
Fried 8 min 73,896 90 6,651
Microwave 5 min 15,245 90 1,372
Chicken breast, with skin, roasted 45 min 60,203 90 5,418
Chicken, dark meat, broiled 1 h 82,992 90 7,469
Chicken loaf, roasted, crust off, 45 min 14,195 90 1,278
Chicken nuggets 86,271 90 7,764
Turkey breast, cubes, skinless, broiled 55,747 90 5,017
Turkey breast steak, skinless, broiled 43,873 90 3,949
Smoked turkey breast, seared 60,137 90 5,412
FishAGEs (U/g)
Serving (g)
AGEs/serving (kU)
Fish loaf, boiled 90 min7,606 90 685
Salmon, breaded, broiled 10 min 14,973 90 1,348
Salmon, raw 5,573 90 502
Salmon, smoked 5,718 90 515
Trout, raw 7,830 90 705
Trout, roasted 25 min 21,383 90 1,924
Tuna, loaf, roasted 40 min 5,895 90 531
Roasted 25 min 9,189 90 827
White, canned in oil, Albacore 17,396 90 1,566
CheeseAGEs (U/g)
Serving (g)
AGEs/serving (kU)
American, processed 86,775 30 2,603
American, processed, low fat 40,395 30 1,425
Brie 55,979 30 1,679
Cottage cheese 1% fat 14,532 120 1,744
Feta 84,235 30 2,527
Mozzarella, part skim 16,777 30 503
Parmesan, grated 169,020 15 2,535
Swiss, processed 44,701 30 1,341
EggsAGEs (U/g)
Serving (g)
AGEs/serving (kU)
Egg yolk, boiled 10 min 12,134 15 182
Boiled 12 min 18,616 15 279
Egg white, boiled 10 min 442 30 13
Boiled 12 min 573 30 17
Egg, fried with margarine 27,494 45 1,237
TofuAGEs (U/g)
Serving (g)
AGEs/serving (kU)
Broiled 41,067 90 3,696
Raw 7,875 90 709
Sautéed 38,303 90 3,447
BreadsAGEs (U/g)
Serving (g)
AGEs/serving (kU)
Bagel 1,075 30 32
Greek, hard 1,514 30 45
Whole wheat, center 536 30 16
Whole wheat, center toasted 1,080 30 25
Whole wheat, crust 730 30 22
Whole wheat, crust, toasted 1,394 30 36
Breakfast foodsAGEs (U/g)
Serving (g)
AGEs/serving (kU)
Pancake, frozen, toasted 22,618 30 679
Pancake, homemade 9,722 30 292
Waffle, frozen, toasted 28,711 30 861
CerealsAGEs (U/g)
Serving (g)
AGEs/serving (kU)
Bran Flakes 346 30 10
Corn Flakes 2,320 30 70
Frosted Flakes 4,270 30 128
Corn Pops 12,431 30 373
Oatmeal instant, dry 188 30 4
Oatmeal, instant with honey 175 175 31
Rice Krispies 19,997 30 600
Grains and legumesAGEs (U/g)
Serving (g)
AGEs/serving (kU)
Bean, red kidney, raw 1,158 100 116
Bean, red kidney, canned 1,906 100 191
Bean, red kidney, cooked 1 h 2,983 100 298
Pasta, cooked 8 min 1,123 100 112
Pasta, spiral, cooked 12 min 2,420 100 245
White rice, quick cook, 10 min 88 100 9
White rice, converted, cooked 35 min 91 100 9
Starchy vegetablesAGEs (U/g)
Serving (g)
AGEs/serving (kU)
Corn, canned 195 100 20
Sweet potato, roasted, 1 h 723 100 72
White potato, boiled, 25 min 174 100 17
White potato, french fries, homemade 6,939 100 694
White potato, french fries, fast food 15,219 100 1,522
Crackers and snacksAGEs (U/g)
Serving (g)
AGEs/serving (kU)
Chips, corn, Doritos 5,049 30 151
Lay’s Potato Chips 28,818 30 865
Chips Ahoy Chocolate Chip Cookies 16,837 30 505
Oatmeal raisin cookie 13,707 30 411
Cracker, Goldfish, cheddar 21,760 30 653
Chocolate Chunk Granola Bar 5,068 30 152
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Granola Bar 31,761 30953
Popcorn with butter, air popped 1,340 30 40
FruitsAGEs (U/g)
Serving (g)
AGEs/serving (kU)
Apple 127 100 13
Apple, baked 445 100 45
Banana 87 100 9
Cantaloupe 201 100 20
Raisin 201 30 36
VegetablesAGEs (U/g)
Serving (g)
AGEs/serving (kU)
Broccoli, carrots, celery, grilled 2,260 100 226
Carrots, canned 103 100 10
Green beans, canned 179 100 18
Onion, raw358 100 36
Tomato, raw 234 100 23
Other carbohydratesAGEs (U/g)
Serving (g)
AGEs/serving (kU)
Sugar, white0 5 0
Sugar substitute, powder 58 1 0
Milk and milk productsAGEs (U/mL)
Serving (mL)
AGEs/serving (kU)
Milk, whole 48 250 12
Fat free 5 250 1
Fat free, microwave, 1 min 21 250 5
Fat free, microwave, 3 min 345 250 86
Formula, infant 4,861 30 146
Human milk, fresh 52 30 2
Instant, chocolate, skim milk, sugar free 11 120 1
Yogurt, strawberry or cherry, nonfat, sugar free 40 250 10
Syrups, gels and juicesAGEs (U/mL)
Serving (mL)
AGEs/serving (kU)
Honey 87 15 1
Syrup, caramel, sugar free 15 15 0
Dark corn 14 15 0
Apple 20 250 5
Cranberry 32 250 8
Orange, fresh squeezed 3 250 1
Orange, carton 56 250 14
DishesAGEs (U/g)
Serving (g)
AGEs/serving (kU)
Italian pasta salad, homemade 9,346 100 935
Macaroni and cheese, baked 40,698 100 4,070
Pizza, thin crust 68,248 100 6,825
Sandwich, toasted cheese 43,327 100 4,333
BeveragesAGEs (U/mL)
Serving (mL)
AGEs/serving (kU)
Coffee, decaffeinated, instant 53 250 13
Instant 47 250 12
Drip method 15 250 4
On a heating plate more than 1 h 134 250 34
With milk 66 250 17
With milk and sugar 24 250 6
Cola 65 250 16
Cola, sugar free 12 250 3
Tea 19 250 5


CondimentsAGEs (U/mL)
Serving (mL)
AGEs/serving (kU)
Ketchup 103 15 2
Mustard 29 15 0
Soy sauce 573 15 9
Vinegar, balsamic 352 15 5
Vinegar, white 377 15 6


Conclusion

Foods high in fat and/or protein are highest in AGEs, while carbohydrates are low in AGEs. The amount of advanced glycation endproducts increases as cooking temperature and time increases. Processed foods in general have more AGEs than unprocessed foods: for example, infant formula milk contains a 100 times more AGEs than human or cow milk.

For more information on glycation, see these posts:

Yerba Mate Inhibits AGE Formation
Green Tea Reduces the Formation of AGEs
My Current Health Regimen
The 7 Types of Aging Damage That End up Killing You