10 Foods High in Molybdenum to Eat More Of

Molybdenum (pronounced muh-lib-di-num) is an essential nutrient, which means your body can't make it and you have to get it from your diet. But because it's so common in food and our bodies only require a small amount, cases of molybdenum deficiencies are extremely uncommon in the U.S. and are usually related to a rare metabolic disorder, per Oregon State University.

Your body requires molybdenum to act as a cofactor for certain enzymes, triggering them into action. These enzymes are called xanthine oxidase, aldehyde oxidase and sulfite oxidase, and they are essential for amino acid creation, per the National Academies Press. They also prevent the buildup of sulfites and help the liver metabolize, or break down, toxins such as alcohol and certain drugs.

Legumes are one of the best food sources of molybdenum, but this trace mineral can also be found in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy products and even some animal organs. A varied, balanced diet can help you reach your daily requirement.

Here, you'll find a list of foods rich in molybdenum, per the NIH. Note that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) calculates its Daily Value (DV) percentages based on eating 45 micrograms of molybdenum per day.

When you hear black-eyed peas, you might instantly think of the band, but don't discount these legumes when it comes to their nutrient content. It turns out that black-eyed peas are one the of top sources of molybdenum: A 1/2 cup cooked offers 640 percent of the DV.

Try these healthy legume recipes to transform your canned or dry black-eyed peas into something special.

Like other legumes, lima beans are one of the best molybdenum foods, providing 231 percent of the DV per cooked 1/2-cup serving. Lima beans are also rich in fiber, protein, copper, folate and thiamin.

Beef liver may not be something you think of preparing every day, but you might want to reconsider that if you're aiming to increase your molybdenum intake. Three ounces of pan-fried beef liver provides 231 percent of the DV.

It's no question that legumes are the ultimate molybdenum food source, but you can also find this trace mineral in many grains and cereals. Shredded wheat cereal has 66 percent of the DV for molybdenum per 1-cup serving.

A bowl of shredded wheat is also an excellent source of iron and vitamin B12. But try choosing the non-frosted shredded wheat varieties when you can as they tend to be lower in sugar.

Yogurt is touted as a healthy food option for many reasons — it's high in protein, calcium and vitamin D. Plus, a 1-cup serving of plain low-fat yogurt gives you 58 percent of the DV for molybdenum.

If you're only used to eating yogurt for breakfast or as a snack, switch it up and try these high-protein yogurt recipes for dinner.

Another dairy molybdenum food source is milk, which may come as no surprise considering yogurt is also on the list. One cup of 2 percent milk provides 49 percent of the DV for molybdenum.

This creamy beverage is a nutritional powerhouse, high in protein, calcium, vitamins A and B12, riboflavin, phosphorus, zinc and selenium. For a refreshing way to enjoy milk, try using it in these healthy smoothie recipes.

Potatoes often get flack for their carbohydrate content and are often outshined by the health halo of sweet potatoes, but they are not to be ignored when talking about molybdenum. One medium baked potato with skin has 36 percent of the DV for molybdenum.

Try these healthy potato recipes next time you have no clue what to do with the taters sitting on your counter.

Bananas are so versatile — you can add them to breakfasts, desserts or even take them with you as a portable snack. They are also quite nutritious and a good source of essential minerals like magnesium, copper, potassium and — you guessed it — molybdenum. A medium banana provides 33 percent of the DV for molybdenum.

A bonus attributed to bananas — especially green bananas — is their resistant starch, which is resistant to digestion in the small intestine and is associated with gut health and blood sugar control benefits, according to a June 2019 review in the journal ​Nutrients​. Get creative with these healthy banana recipes (that also happen to be high in protein).

When it comes to whole-wheat vs. white bread, it's no question that whole-wheat bread boasts more benefits. One of those benefits happens to be that it is an excellent source of molybdenum: One slice offers 27 percent of the DV.

If you have a loaf (or even just some extra slices) on hand, try making these high-protein sandwich recipes.

Fun fact: Peanuts are not technically nuts but are actually legumes. That may be why they are so high in molybdenum, with 1 ounce of dry-roasted peanuts providing 24 percent of the DV.

Peanuts are also packed with heart-healthy unsaturated fats and other heart-protective nutrients such as magnesium, potassium and phytonutrients.