Foodstruct Nutrition Search | Diet Analysis | Food Comparison | Glycemic Index Chart | Insulin Index Chart | Blog | Subscribe | Sign Up

Liverwurst vs. Braunschweiger — Health Impact and Nutrition Comparison

Article author photo Ani Harutyunyan by Ani Harutyunyan | Last updated on December 09, 2022
Medically reviewed by Igor Bussel Article author photo Igor Bussel
Liverwurst
vs
Braunschweiger

Summary

Liverwurst is higher in phosphorus, vitamin C, and calcium. It is also lower in cholesterol and sodium. Braunschweiger contains more vitamin D and iron.  

Introduction

This article compares the nutritional composition and health impact of two famous German sausages - liverwurst (1) and braunschweiger (2). You can see the distribution of different nutrients in the charts shown in the corresponding parts. 

Actual differences

Liverwurst can be prepared of pork or beef meat, while braunschweiger is made mainly of pork and rarely of fat or beef

Braunschweiger is made of liver, but in the preparation of liverwurst, hearts and kidneys are used additionally. They both contain spices, added onions, and bacon. Liverwurst can additionally contain pieces of mushroom and some berries

The texture of these sausages can vary: liverwurst has a more paste-like texture, while braunschweiger is chunkier

Liverwurst usually tastes like liver. Braunschweiger has a smoky and peppery taste

Braunschweiger is used boiled or smoked, while liverwurst is usually boiled

Nutrition

Here we will discuss the macronutrient, mineral, and vitamin composition of liverwurst and braunschweiger. Both of them do not provide any quantities of trans fats.  

Protein

Braunschweiger is higher in protein than liverwurst. Per 100g serving, braunschweiger provides 14.5g of protein, while liverwurst contains 12.4g of it. 

Being processed meat products, both contain many essential amino acids, such as lysine, leucine, and valine

Fat

Braunschweiger is three grams higher in fats than liverwurst. It is richer in both saturated and unsaturated fats

Surprisingly, liverwurst is 62mg higher in cholesterol than braunschweiger. 

Calories

Liverwurst and braunschweiger are classified as moderate-calorie foods. Due to its higher protein and fat composition, braunschweiger provides more calories than liverwurst. It has 22 more calories per 100g serving

Minerals

The winner in this section is liverwurst. 

Liverwurst provides more calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and less sodium than braunschweiger. 

Braunschweiger contains more iron, potassium, and zinc. Braunschweiger is 277mg higher in sodium than liverwurst.

Check the mineral comparison chart below for a visual representation of the distribution of minerals. 

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.
Magnesium Magnesium Calcium Calcium Potassium Potassium Iron Iron Copper Copper Zinc Zinc Phosphorus Phosphorus Sodium Sodium Manganese Manganese Selenium Selenium 8.6% 6.6% 15% 332% 80% 63% 99% 91% 20% 316%
Magnesium Magnesium Calcium Calcium Potassium Potassium Iron Iron Copper Copper Zinc Zinc Phosphorus Phosphorus Sodium Sodium Manganese Manganese Selenium Selenium 7.9% 2.7% 18% 420% 80% 77% 72% 127% 20% 316%
Contains more CalciumCalcium +144.4%
Contains more PhosphorusPhosphorus +36.9%
Contains less SodiumSodium -28.4%
Contains more PotassiumPotassium +17.1%
Contains more IronIron +26.6%
Contains more ZincZinc +22.2%
~equal in Magnesium ~11mg
~equal in Copper ~0.24mg
~equal in Manganese ~0.155mg
~equal in Selenium ~58µg
 

Vitamins

In general, braunschweiger has a higher vitamin content. It is richer in B-complex vitamins and folate

Liverwurst contains vitamin C, which is not present in braunschweiger. In contrast, liverwurst lacks vitamin D, which is present in braunschweiger. 

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.
Vitamin C Vit. C Vitamin A Vit. A Vitamin E Vit. E Vitamin D Vit. D Vitamin B1 Vit. B1 Vitamin B2 Vit. B2 Vitamin B3 Vit. B3 Vitamin B5 Vit. B5 Vitamin B6 Vit. B6 Vitamin B12 Vit. B12 Vitamin K Vit. K Folate Folate Choline Choline 12% 818% 0% 0% 68% 238% 81% 177% 44% 1683% 0% 23% 0%
Vitamin C Vit. C Vitamin A Vit. A Vitamin E Vit. E Vitamin D Vit. D Vitamin B1 Vit. B1 Vitamin B2 Vit. B2 Vitamin B3 Vit. B3 Vitamin B5 Vit. B5 Vitamin B6 Vit. B6 Vitamin B12 Vit. B12 Vitamin K Vit. K Folate Folate Choline Choline 0% 843% 7% 36% 62% 352% 157% 203% 76% 2511% 4% 33% 140%
Contains more Vitamin CVitamin C +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B2Vitamin B2 +48.1%
Contains more Vitamin B3Vitamin B3 +94.6%
Contains more Vitamin B5Vitamin B5 +14.6%
Contains more Vitamin B6Vitamin B6 +73.7%
Contains more Vitamin B12Vitamin B12 +49.3%
Contains more FolateFolate +46.7%
~equal in Vitamin A ~14051IU
~equal in Vitamin B1 ~0.249mg
 

Health impact 

Benefits

Liverwurst and braunschweiger are loaded with complete proteins. They are important sources of essential amino acids needed for our organism’s normal functioning (3). 

Braunschweiger contains a lot of B-complex vitamins. Vitamin B12 is important for forming red blood cells and DNA (4). It is also high in retinol or vitamin A, which is essential for eye health and maintains a healthy immune system (5).  

Liverwurst is significantly higher in selenium, which acts as an antioxidant and helps strengthen the immune system (6). Iron, contained in braunschweiger, is essential for hemoglobin production and oxygen transport (7). 

Drawbacks

Liverwurst is high in sodium. This is a concern for people who are salt sensitive. Sodium can cause higher blood pressure (8). People, who have hypertension, should consider consuming foods low in sodium

Braunschweiger and liverwurst are high-cholesterol foods. Excess consumption of products like these sausages can be linked with a higher risk of atherosclerosis

References

  1. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/174596/nutrients 
  2. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/171621/nutrients 
  3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3905294/ 
  4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18411381/ 
  5. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamina-consumer/ 
  6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2698273/ 
  7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3999603/ 
  8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28485063/ 
Article author photo Ani Harutyunyan
Education: General Medicine at YSMU
Last updated: December 09, 2022
Medically reviewed by Igor Bussel

Infographic

Liverwurst vs Braunschweiger infographic
Infographic link

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison
12% 25% 6% 54% 3%
Protein: 12.38 g
Fats: 25.45 g
Carbs: 5.89 g
Water: 53.53 g
Other: 2.75 g
15% 29% 3% 51% 3%
Protein: 14.5 g
Fats: 28.5 g
Carbs: 3.1 g
Water: 50.6 g
Other: 3.3 g
Contains more CarbsCarbs +90%
Contains more ProteinProtein +17.1%
Contains more FatsFats +12%
Contains more OtherOther +20%
~equal in Water ~50.6g

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison
40% 50% 10%
Saturated Fat: Sat. Fat 9.925 g
Monounsaturated Fat: Mono. Fat 12.286 g
Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 2.427 g
37% 50% 13%
Saturated Fat: Sat. Fat 9.307 g
Monounsaturated Fat: Mono. Fat 12.731 g
Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 3.193 g
Contains more Poly. FatPolyunsaturated fat +31.6%
~equal in Saturated Fat ~9.307g
~equal in Monounsaturated Fat ~12.731g

Comparison summary table

Pay attention to the rightmost column. It displays the amounts side by side, giving a clearer understanding of the difference.
Liverwurst Braunschweiger
Lower in Cholesterol ok
Lower in Sodium ok
Lower in Sugar ok
Lower in Saturated Fat ok
Lower in Glycemic Index ok
Lower in price ok
Rich in vitamins ok
Rich in minerals Equal

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient Liverwurst Braunschweiger Opinion
Calories 305kcal 327kcal Braunschweiger
Protein 12.38g 14.5g Braunschweiger
Fats 25.45g 28.5g Braunschweiger
Vitamin C 3.5mg 0mg Liverwurst
Net carbs 3.39g 3.1g Liverwurst
Carbs 5.89g 3.1g Liverwurst
Cholesterol 118mg 180mg Liverwurst
Vitamin D 48IU Braunschweiger
Magnesium 12mg 11mg Liverwurst
Calcium 22mg 9mg Liverwurst
Potassium 170mg 199mg Braunschweiger
Iron 8.85mg 11.2mg Braunschweiger
Sugar 1.65g 0g Braunschweiger
Fiber 2.5g 0g Liverwurst
Copper 0.24mg 0.24mg
Zinc 2.3mg 2.81mg Braunschweiger
Phosphorus 230mg 168mg Liverwurst
Sodium 700mg 977mg Liverwurst
Vitamin A 13636IU 14051IU Braunschweiger
Vitamin A 4091µg 4220µg Braunschweiger
Vitamin E 0.35mg Braunschweiger
Vitamin D 1.2µg Braunschweiger
Manganese 0.155mg 0.155mg
Selenium 58µg 58µg
Vitamin B1 0.272mg 0.249mg Liverwurst
Vitamin B2 1.03mg 1.525mg Braunschweiger
Vitamin B3 4.3mg 8.368mg Braunschweiger
Vitamin B5 2.95mg 3.38mg Braunschweiger
Vitamin B6 0.19mg 0.33mg Braunschweiger
Vitamin B12 13.46µg 20.09µg Braunschweiger
Vitamin K 1.6µg Braunschweiger
Folate 30µg 44µg Braunschweiger
Choline 255.9mg Braunschweiger
Saturated Fat 9.925g 9.307g Braunschweiger
Monounsaturated Fat 12.286g 12.731g Braunschweiger
Polyunsaturated fat 2.427g 3.193g Braunschweiger
Tryptophan 0.151mg 0.145mg Liverwurst
Threonine 0.671mg 0.534mg Liverwurst
Isoleucine 0.653mg 0.484mg Liverwurst
Leucine 1.139mg 1.032mg Liverwurst
Lysine 1.155mg 0.909mg Liverwurst
Methionine 0.285mg 0.311mg Braunschweiger
Phenylalanine 0.617mg 0.553mg Liverwurst
Valine 0.857mg 0.616mg Liverwurst
Histidine 0.448mg 0.32mg Liverwurst

Which food is preferable for your diet?

ok
ok
is better in case of low diet
Liverwurst Braunschweiger
Low Calories diet ok
Low Fats diet ok
Low Carbs diet ok
Low Glycemic Index diet ok

People also compare

Vitamins & Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score

The summary scores indicate the extent to which this food can fulfill your daily vitamin and mineral requirements if you consume 3 servings, consisting of 100 grams of each (an approximation of 3 serving sizes).
Vitamins Daily Need Coverage Score
242%
Liverwurst
340%
Braunschweiger
Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
103%
Liverwurst
114%
Braunschweiger

Comparison summary

Which food is lower in Cholesterol?
Liverwurst
Liverwurst is lower in Cholesterol (difference - 62mg)
Which food contains less Sodium?
Liverwurst
Liverwurst contains less Sodium (difference - 277mg)
Which food is lower in Sugar?
Braunschweiger
Braunschweiger is lower in Sugar (difference - 1.65g)
Which food is lower in Saturated Fat?
Braunschweiger
Braunschweiger is lower in Saturated Fat (difference - 0.618g)
Which food is lower in glycemic index?
Braunschweiger
Braunschweiger is lower in glycemic index (difference - 28)
Which food is cheaper?
Braunschweiger
Braunschweiger is cheaper (difference - $3)
Which food is richer in vitamins?
Braunschweiger
Braunschweiger is relatively richer in vitamins
Which food is richer in minerals?
?
It cannot be stated which food is richer in vitamins. See the charts below for detailed information. See the charts below for detailed information. See the charts below for detailed information.

References

All the values for which the sources are not specified explicitly are taken from FDA’s Food Central. The exact link to the food presented on this page can be found below.

  1. Liverwurst - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/174596/nutrients
  2. Braunschweiger - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/171621/nutrients

All the Daily Values are presented for males aged 31-50, for 2000-calorie diets.

Data provided by FoodStruct.com should be considered and used as information only. Please consult your physician before beginning any diet.