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Arugula, raw

Vegetables Per 100 g · Per 100g serving

Arugula, raw is a vegetable, providing just 25.0 calories per 100g. It is an excellent source of Vitamin A (RAE) and Vitamin K1, providing 264% and 90% of the Daily Value respectively. This vegetable is virtually fat-free. Vegetables provide essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber with relatively few calories. They are a cornerstone of virtually every dietary guideline worldwide. Our database tracks 65 nutrients for this food, plus environmental footprint data.

25.0
Calories
kcal
2.6
Protein
g
0.66
Fat
g
3.6
Carbs
g
1.6
Fiber
g

Top Nutrients

☀️
Vitamin A (RAE)
2,373 µg
264% DV
☀️
Vitamin K1
109 µg
90% DV
☀️
Folate
97.0 µg
24% DV

Data for 65 of 150 tracked nutrients

Nutrient Fingerprint

How this food scores across key nutrient categories, as a percentage of the daily recommended value per 100 g. Based on USDA DRIs for adults.

Complete Nutrient Profile

Macronutrients 9
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Water SR91.7g
2%
Calories SR25.0kcal
Energy (kJ) SR105kj
Protein SR2.6g
5%
Total Fat SR0.66g
Carbohydrate SR3.6g
3%
Fiber SR1.6g
4%
Total Sugars SR2.0g
Ash SR1.4g
Minerals 10
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Calcium SR160mg
16%
Iron SR1.5mg
18%
Magnesium SR47.0mg
12%
Phosphorus SR52.0mg
7%
Potassium SR369mg
11%
Sodium SR27.0mg
2%
Zinc SR0.47mg
4%
Copper SR0.08mg
8%
Manganese SR0.32mg
14%
Selenium SR0.30µg
0%
Vitamins 25
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Vitamin A (RAE) SR2,373µg
264%
Vitamin A (IU) SR119IU
Retinol SR0µg
Beta-Carotene SR1,424µg
Alpha-Carotene SR0µg
Beta-Cryptoxanthin SR0µg
Lycopene SR0µg
Lutein + Zeaxanthin SR3,555µg
Vitamin C SR15.0mg
17%
Vitamin D SR0µg
Vitamin D (IU) SR0IU
Vitamin E SR0.43mg
3%
Vitamin K1 SR109µg
90%
Thiamin (B1) SR0.04mg
4%
Riboflavin (B2) SR0.09mg
7%
Niacin (B3) SR0.30mg
2%
Pantothenic Acid (B5) SR0.44mg
9%
Vitamin B6 SR0.07mg
6%
Folate SR97.0µg
24%
Folic Acid SR0µg
Folate (food) SR97.0µg
Folate (DFE) SR97.0µg
Vitamin B12 SR0µg
Choline SR15.3mg
3%
Betaine SR0.10mg
Fatty Acids 8
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Saturated Fat SR0.09g
Monounsaturated Fat SR0.05g
Polyunsaturated Fat SR0.32g
Trans Fat SR0g
Cholesterol SR0mg
Omega-3 EPA SR0g
Omega-3 DPA SR0g
Omega-3 DHA SR0g
Individual Fatty Acids 10
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Butyric Acid (4:0) SR0g
Caproic Acid (6:0) SR0g
Caprylic Acid (8:0) SR0g
Capric Acid (10:0) SR0g
Lauric Acid (12:0) SR0.003g
Myristic Acid (14:0) SR0g
Palmitic Acid (16:0) SR0.07g
Stearic Acid (18:0) SR0.004g
Linoleic Acid (18:2) SR0.13g
1%
Linolenic Acid (18:3) SR0.17g
Other 3
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Caffeine SR0mg
Theobromine SR0mg
Alcohol SR0g

Nutrient Density Score

The NRF9.3 score measures overall nutritional quality per 100 kcal. It rewards 9 nutrients to encourage (protein, fiber, vitamins A, C, E, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium) and penalizes 3 to limit (saturated fat, added sugars, sodium). Higher is better; negative scores indicate the food is high in limit nutrients relative to its beneficial content.

373
NRF9.3 Score
Excellent · per 100 kcal
Poor (<0) Moderate Good Excellent (100+)

NRF9.3 index: Fulgoni et al. (2009), J Nutr 139(8). DVs based on FDA 2020 reference values.

Nutrient Interactions in This Food

Nutrients in this food that enhance or compete with each other during absorption.

✔ Synergies — nutrients that help each other

Vitamin C + Iron●●●

Vitamin C dramatically enhances non-heme iron absorption by reducing Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺ in the gut. Adding 75 mg vitamin C to a meal can increase iron absorption 3–4 fold.

Hallberg et al., Am J Clin Nutr, 1989

Dietary Fat + Vitamin A●●●

Vitamin A is fat-soluble and requires dietary fat for absorption. Adding fat to a meal significantly increases beta-carotene and retinol absorption.

Ribaya-Mercado et al., Am J Clin Nutr, 2007

Dietary Fat + Vitamin K●●●

Vitamin K is fat-soluble. Absorption increases significantly when consumed with dietary fat, particularly for phylloquinone (K1) from plant sources.

Gijsbers et al., Br J Nutr, 1996

Vitamin K + Calcium●●

Vitamin K activates osteocalcin and matrix GLA protein, which direct calcium into bones and away from soft tissues (arteries). Works synergistically with vitamin D.

Kidd, Altern Med Rev, 2010

Vitamin B6 + Magnesium●●

Vitamin B6 may enhance intracellular magnesium accumulation. Combined supplementation has shown greater benefits for stress and anxiety than magnesium alone.

Pouteau et al., PLoS One, 2018

⚠ Antagonisms — nutrients that compete

Calcium vs Iron●●●

Calcium inhibits both heme and non-heme iron absorption when consumed in the same meal. The effect is dose-dependent, with significant inhibition at 300+ mg calcium.

Hallberg et al., Am J Clin Nutr, 1991

Calcium vs Magnesium●●

Very high calcium intake can reduce magnesium absorption by competing for shared intestinal transport pathways. A calcium:magnesium ratio above 2.6:1 may impair magnesium status.

Rosanoff et al., Nutr Rev, 2012

Manganese vs Iron●●

Manganese and iron share the DMT1 transporter and compete for absorption. High iron status reduces manganese absorption and vice versa.

Erikson et al., Pharmacol Ther, 2007

Vitamin C vs Copper●●

High-dose vitamin C (>1,500 mg/day) may reduce copper absorption by reducing Cu²⁺ to Cu⁺, though the clinical significance at normal intakes is minimal.

Harris, Am J Clin Nutr, 2003

Fatty Acid Profile

Breakdown of fat types per 100g. A healthy fat profile favours unsaturated fats (mono + poly) and a balanced omega-3 to omega-6 ratio.

0.09g
Saturated
0.05g
Monounsaturated
0.32g
Polyunsaturated
Omega Fatty Acids
Linoleic acid (18:2 n-6)0.13 g

How Cooking Changes Nutrients

Estimated percentage of each nutrient retained after cooking, based on USDA retention factors for the “Leafy Greens” food category. Values of 100% mean no loss; lower values indicate nutrients lost to heat, water, or oxidation.

Key insights
Folate loses up to 45% when cooked from frozen. Stir-fried retains 85%.
Vitamin C loses up to 42% when boiled (drained). Stir-fried retains 85%.

Source: USDA Table of Nutrient Retention Factors, Release 6 (2007). Retention values are category-level averages — actual retention depends on cooking time, temperature, and water volume.

USDA Retention Factors

Environmental Impact

Environmental footprint per kilogram of food produced. Data represents the global average for the “Brassicas” category.

0.51
kg CO₂e / kg
Very Low Impact
0.55
m² land / kg
Land Use
119
L water / kg
Water Use
4.0
g SO₂e / kg
Acidification
How this compares (GHG emissions)
Potatoes (0.5)Chicken (9.9)Beef (99.5)
Greenhouse Gas Emissions0.51 kg CO₂e / kg
Land Use0.55 m² / kg
Water Use119 L / kg
Eutrophication5.4 g PO₄e / kg
Acidification4.0 g SO₂e / kg
⚠️ Important context about this data
  • Global averages: These figures are production-weighted averages from a meta-analysis of ~38,700 farms across 119 countries (Poore & Nemecek, 2018). Actual impact varies enormously by farming method, geography, and supply chain.
  • System boundary: Cradle-to-retail only — does not include consumer transport, home cooking energy, or food waste.
  • Soil carbon not included: This data does not account for soil carbon sequestration. Some argue that well-managed regenerative grazing partially offsets ruminant emissions; however, full lifecycle accounting — including methane, land-use change, and the opportunity cost of using land for grazing vs. reforestation — typically makes the net footprint of ruminant meat higher, not lower. This is especially relevant in temperate grassland regions like Ireland.
  • Not gospel: This data is informational and illustrative. It is useful for understanding relative magnitudes, but should not be treated as precise measurements for any individual product or farm.

Source: Poore & Nemecek (2018), Science 360(6392). Meta-analysis of ~38,700 farms, 119 countries, 46 product categories.

Global Supply: Vegetables

Top 10 countries by per capita supply of the “Vegetables” food group (kcal/capita/day, 2023). This is food group–level data from FAO Food Balance Sheets, not specific to this individual food.

1.
China; mainland
310
2.
China
306
3.
Albania
258
4.
North Macedonia
221
5.
Guyana
209
6.
Kazakhstan
204
7.
Oman
192
8.
Uzbekistan
190
9.
Tajikistan
186
10.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
183

Global Supply Trend (1961–2023)

+76%
1961: 38 kcal2023: 67 kcal

Source: FAO Food Balance Sheets (2023). Supply = production + imports − exports − waste, converted to kcal/capita/day.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many calories are in Arugula, raw?

Arugula, raw contains 25.0 kcal per 100 grams, making it a low-calorie food. The energy comes from 2.6g of protein (41% of calories), 0.66g of fat (24%), and 3.6g of carbohydrates (58%). Carbohydrates are the primary energy source.

What is Arugula, raw most nutritious for?

The standout nutrient in Arugula, raw is Vitamin A (RAE), providing 2,373 µg per 100g (264% of the Daily Value). It is also a notable source of Vitamin K1 (90% DV). Our database tracks 65 individual nutrients for this food, allowing detailed comparison across vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids.

Is Arugula, raw high in protein?

At 2.6g per 100 grams, Arugula, raw is not a significant source of protein. Pair with protein-rich foods like legumes, meat, fish, or dairy to meet daily protein needs.

How much fiber is in Arugula, raw?

Arugula, raw contains 1.6g of fiber per 100 grams, which is a small amount. To increase fiber intake, consider pairing with high-fiber foods such as legumes, whole grains, or vegetables.