What is thiamine?
Thiamine, also called vitamin B1, is an essential nutrient that the body needs to convert food into energy.
The benefits of thiamine
Thiamine is an essential player in energy metabolism, meaning it releases energy from carbohydrates and also promotes normal growth.
Foods rich in thiamine
Vitamin B1 occurs naturally in many foods, including beans, meat, nuts and Florida orange juice.
An 8-ounce (250 ml) glass of 100% orange juice contains approximately 10% of the recommended daily value of thiamine.*
Thiamine requirements
Very little thiamine is stored in the body and, as it is quickly assimilated by the latter, it is necessary to consume 1.2 of it frequently . Thiamine requirements increase during pregnancy and breastfeeding1-3 , and intake strongly affects the amount of this vitamin in breast milk3. Thiamine requirements also increase for 1-4 :
- Intense activity;
- Illness or fever;
- Recovery after surgery.
Thiamine deficiency
Thiamine deficiency is rare. It is more common in people with specific illnesses, including alcoholism, Crohn’s disease and other digestive system diseases, and anorexia 1-3 . Thiamine deficiency can affect the cardiovascular, muscular, digestive and nervous systems 1-3 .
DID YOU KNOW?
Thiamine was the first B vitamin discovered by scientists, hence the name B1 1 .
* Values based on a 2000 calorie diet. Nutritional values may vary depending on manufacturer, brand and type of product.
References
- Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Dietary Recommended Intakes for Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline. Washington, DC: National Academy of Sciences; 1998:58-83.
- Thiamin. Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center. Oregon State University.
- Thiamin. Health Sheet for Professionals. Office of Dietary Supplements. National Institutes of Health.
- The ASPEN Adult Nutrition Support Core Curriculum, 2nd Ed. American Society of Parental and Enteral Nutrition. 2012.