Foods High in Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)

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Foods High in Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)

DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) is an omega-3 fatty acid required for the healthy development of the brain and retina (eyesight). (1,2) Further, some studies show cognitive benefits from DHA in older adults, improving memory and learning. (3)

DHA is found primarily in fish and seafood. (4) It can also be created by the body using alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). (5) Since DHA is important for brain development, it is present in breast milk. (6) This is true even if the mother does not consume fish or any animal products, as DHA is manufactured in the body from ALA, which is found in plant foods.

Foods high in DHA include salmon, tuna, canned tuna, trout, mussels, oysters, cod, fish eggs, pickled herring, clams, and snow crab. (4) Pregnant women should avoid mackerel, swordfish, and striped bass due to their potential mercury content. All other sources should be considered safe and healthy as long as they are fresh and well prepared.

For more foods high in DHA see the list of 200 foods high in DHA fats, and the list of foods high in omega 3 fats.

List of Foods Highest in DHA

Salmon Fillets1 Fish (Salmon)
4mg Omega 3 per 1mg Omega 6
DHA
per 6oz Fillet
DHA
per 100g
DHA
per 200 Calories
2477mg1457mg1415mg

637mg DHA per 3oz of canned salmon

Tuna Fillet2 Tuna
25mg Omega 3 per 1mg Omega 6
DHA
in a 6oz Fillet
DHA
per 100g
DHA
per 200 Calories
1940mg1141mg1240mg

535mg DHA per 3oz of canned tuna

Trout Fish3 Trout
4mg Omega 3 per 1mg Omega 6
DHA
per Fillet
DHA
per 100g
DHA
per 200 Calories
744mg520mg693mg
Mussels4 Mussels
25mg Omega 3 per 1mg Omega 6
DHA
per 3oz
DHA
per 100g
DHA
per 200 Calories
430mg506mg588mg
Oysters on a plate5 Oysters
25mg Omega 3 per 1mg Omega 6
DHA
per 3oz Serving
DHA
per 100g
DHA
per 200 Calories
425mg500mg613mg
Oysters are also very high in iron.
A cod fillet6 Atlantic Cod
29mg Omega 3 per 1mg Omega 6
DHA
per 6oz Fillet
DHA
per 100g
DHA
per 200 Calories
277mg154mg293mg
Salmon Roe7 Fish Roe (Ikura, Caviar)
84mg Omega 3 per 1mg Omega 6
DHA
per Tblsp
DHA
per 100g
DHA
per 200 Calories
191mg1363mg1906mg
Herring8 Pickled Herring
7mg Omega 3 per 1mg Omega 6
DHA
per Oz
DHA
per 100g
DHA
per 200 Calories
155mg546mg417mg
Clams9 Clams
13mg Omega 3 per 1mg Omega 6
DHA
per 3oz Serving
DHA
per 100g
DHA
per 200 Calories
124mg146mg197mg
A crab claw10 Snow Crab (Queen Crab)
61mg Omega 3 per 1mg Omega 6
DHA
per 3oz
DHA
per 100g
DHA
per 200 Calories
123mg145mg252mg

See All 200 Foods High in Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)

Printable One Page Sheet

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A printable list of foods high in DHA. Foods high in DHA include salmon, tuna, canned tuna, trout, mussels, oysters, cod, fish eggs, pickled herring, clams, and snow crab.

About the Data

Data for the curated food lists comes from the USDA Food Data Central Repository.

You can check our data against the USDA by clicking the (Source) link at the bottom of each food listing.

Note: When checking data please be sure the serving sizes are the same. In the rare case you find any difference, please contact us and we will fix it right away.


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Data Sources and References

  1. Health benefits of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
  2. Essential fatty acids in visual and brain development.
  3. Beneficial effects of docosahexaenoic acid on cognition in age-related cognitive decline.
  4. U.S. Agricultural Research Service Food Data Central
  5. Conversion of alpha-linolenic acid to eicosapentaenoic, docosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids in young women.
  6. Docosahexaenoic and arachidonic acid concentrations in human breast milk worldwide

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