Vitamin B foods provide adequate amounts of vitamin B needed for optimal health and general well-being. Above all B vitamins consist of eight water-soluble vitamins that are essential for various cellular processes. However, the body cannot store most of these vitamins, and hence they must be consumed regularly in our diet.
Since vitamin B is easily destroyed during food processing, you are at risk of developing vitamin B deficiency. Certainly symptoms of vitamin B deficiency include heart problems; digestive disorders; depression; and poor hair, skin, and nails. If you experience any of these symptoms, visit your doctor or get a Vitamin B Complex Profile done.
The Role of 8 Essential B Vitamins in Our Bodily Functions
Vitamin
Function
B1 (Thiamine)
Breaks down amino acids and sugars
B2 (Riboflavin)
Repairs DNA and generates ATP (the body’s energy currency)
B3 (Niacin)
Generates ATP
B5 (Pantothenic acid)
Breaks down amino acids and sugars; synthesizes amino acids and fatty acids
B6 (Pyridoxine)
Synthesizes amino acids
B7 (Biotin)
Synthesizes fatty acids and breaks down sugars
B9 (Folic Acid)
Produces red blood cells and synthesizes DNA
B12 (Hydroxocobalamin)
Synthesizes and repairs DNA, synthesizes fatty acid
Here we have listed that contain the highest amount of each of these B vitamins.
Vitamin B Foods: Best Foods for Each B Vitamins
1. Vitamin B1
Daily requirement: 1 – 1.3 mg
Foods rich in thiamine include:
Whole grain or cereal grain
Asparagus
Kale
Liver
Eggs
Sunflower seeds
Pine nuts
Potatoes
Tuna
Pulses (chickpeas, lentils, beans)
Peas
Peanuts
2. Vitamin B2
Daily requirement: 1.2 – 1.5 mg
Vitamin B rich in Riboflavin includes:
Liver
Mushrooms
Almonds
Milk
Spinach
Eggs
Meat
Fish
Dairy products
3. Vitamin B3
Daily requirement: 13 – 17 mg
Foods rich in B3 include:
Fish
Liver
Leafy vegetables
Avocados
Dates
Wholegrain cereals
Cashew nuts
Pulses
Meat
Eggs
Mushrooms
Peanuts
Wheat bran
4. Vitamin B5
Daily requirement: approx. 6 mg
Vitamin B foods rich in B5 include:
Chickpeas
Eggs and milk
Organ meats and beef
Brown rice
Mushrooms
Oats
5. Vitamin B6
Daily requirement: 1.2 – 1.6 mg
Vitamin B foods rich in pyridoxine include:
Corn
Banana
Chickpeas
Dairy products
Beef
Pork
Yeast
Fish
Green vegetables
Soy
6. Vitamin B7
Daily requirement: 30 – 60 μg
Foods rich in B7 include:
Green leafy vegetables
Pulses
Egg yolks
Milk
Nuts
7. Vitamin B9
Daily requirement: approx. 0.4 mg
Vitamin B foods rich in B9 include:
Leafy green vegetables
Liver
Egg
Citrus fruits
Lentils
8. Vitamin B12
Daily requirement: approx. 3 μg
Vitamin B foods rich in B12 include:
Fish
Meat
Poultry
Eggs
Take-Home Lesson
Eat a wide variety of wholesome vitamin foods. In addition, the more you process or cook your food, the more nutrients are destroyed. However, get the right amount of vitamin B from natural foods and watch your body miraculously heal and repair itself.