Of the 18 foods with the highest silica content, 11 are cereal products, and those containing oats were at the top of the list. Three heaped tablespoons contains 4.51 milligrams of silica. A 2-tablespoon serving of spinach contains 4.1 milligrams of silica.Īlthough every kind of rice contains silica, brown rice has the highest amount. Many different types of leafy green vegetables are sources of silica. A medium-sized peeled banana has 4.77 milligrams of silicon dioxide.

One cup has about 7 milligrams of silica, which equals roughly 25% to 35% of the average American’s silica intake.Īs far as fruits go, bananas are one of the biggest sources of silica. Green beans are among the most silica-rich vegetables. Typical diets likely contain enough silica that can be absorbed for potential health benefits, despite negative perceptions of silicon as dangerous. Foods With SilicaĬompelling data suggests that silica is essential for your health, but more evidence is needed to confirm this. Food and Drug Administration has set out strict regulations around using silica as an additive. As long as you aren’t inhaling silica in its crystalline form, it appears to be safe to consume at the levels set out by the FDA.Īlthough silicon is a natural part of some foods and sees wide commercial application, the U.S. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that you don’t consume more than 10-30 grams, or 2% of your daily food intake (500-1,500 grams), of silica per day.Īlthough consuming silica doesn’t appear to have negative effects, inhaling small particles of it can increase your risk of developing serious silica-related diseases, such as:Īccording to the United States Department of Labor, about 2.3 million people in the U.S. Why You Need SilicaĪ clear function of silica in the human body has not been established, but people take silicon as a supplement for some health issues, including: It is commonly used in the form of silicon dioxide as an anti-caking agent in foods and supplements to keep ingredients from clumping up or sticking together, and it’s sometimes added to liquids and beverages to control foaming and thickness. Silica is also found naturally in some foods, and it is added to many food products and supplements. Instead, it combines with oxygen and other elements to form silicate materials, which are the largest class of rock-forming materials on Earth and compose 90% of the Earth’s crust. One such material is silica, or silicon dioxide, which is the most common component of sand. However, silicon is rarely found on its own. Almost 30% of our planet’s crust is made of the stuff, so it isn’t surprising that it’s also found in food. Silicon is the second-most abundant element on Earth, behind oxygen.

Silica in water