Glycine betaine and glycine betaine analogues in common foods

In this study we have surveyed the betaine content of a wide range of foods commonly found in the western diet. Glycine betaine, proline betaine (stachydrine), trigonelline and dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) were the only betaines to be found at ⩾150 μg/g. Glycine betaine was primarily found in shellfish, flour, and some vegetables, such as beetroot, spinach and silverbeet. Proline betaine was found in citrus fruit and alfalfa sprouts, while trigonelline was found in coffee, chick peas, lentils and rolled oats. Significant DMSP was only found in some shellfish. Different sources of individual foods showed variation in betaine content, and the way in which individual foods were cooked affected betaine content, with boiling causing the highest loss of betaine.