What Is beta-Tocopherol & What Foods Can I Find It In?

3D-model of beta-Tocopherol (src)

beta-tocopherol, β-tocopherol, is one of four tocopherols, and one of eight members of the group that collectively are called Vitamin E.

beta-tocopherol is an antioxidant.

Vitamin E can be produced synthetically.

But natural sources of tocopherols have the highest biological activity.

It means that it is better to eat foods containing tocopherol naturally than those foods where they have been added.

Deficiency is rare but can occur in smokers because tobacco easily destroys the nutrient.

Table of Contents

beta-Tocopherol Is A Vitamin E

beta-Tocopherol is one of four tocopherols that have the collective name Vitamin E. (source )

Naturally occurring vitamin E is a mixture of the four tocopherols, alpha, beta, gamma, and delta.

Alfa is the most abundant and active form of vitamin E.

While beta-tocopherols are harder to get and have less antioxidant activity than alfa. (source )

beta-Tocopherol is a potent antioxidant that can reduce the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cell and prevent oxidation of cell membranes and lipids. (source )

Foods You Can Find beta-Tocopherol In

Three egg yolks in a bowl
Egg yolk contain beta-tocopherol

You find beta-Tocopherol mostly in snacks, spices and herbs, american indian and alaska native food, and fast food products.

Examples of food sources include

Foods in our nutrition tool

You can find regularly updated, top ranked lists of foods for over 200+ nutrients in our nutrition tool.

If you are interested in what foods contain the most beta-Tocopherol, we recommend you visit our tool.

Here's our top ranked list of foods that contain beta-Tocopherol.

Sara Niemelä

co-founder Care Omnia, Head Content Creator

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Nutrition is my passion. I've spent thousands upon thousands of hours reading, analyzing, categorizing and comparing research studies.

I’m a wife and a mother of three. I enjoy the outdoors, cooking, and spending time with my family.