What is Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)?

Thiamine is vitamin B1, a member of the B complex group of vitamins. It’s especially important in the body for nervous system and muscle function. Thiamine acts as a coenzyme for carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism. Your body needs this B vitamin to produce hydrochloric acid so you can digest your food properly. Vitamin B1 is closely tied to energy, cholesterol and neurotransmitter production in the body.

A vitamin B1 blood test tests for deficiencies or excesses of the vitamin.

Best Sources of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine):

The richest food sources of thiamine include various beans, nuts, seeds, seaweed (or spirulina powder), and yeast, especially “nutritional yeast” which is a seasoning commonly used by vegetarians that naturally tastes similarly to cheese.

Thiamine is usually found in most whole-grain and enriched grain products like breads, pastas, rice, and fortified cereal grains. These foods are enriched with thiamine, meaning thiamine is added into the food synthetically.

Most fruits and vegetables do not provide very high amounts of thiamine although some like peas and tomatoes do contain low or moderate amounts. Other kinds like asparagus, potatoes, mushrooms, romaine lettuce, spinach, brussels sprouts and eggplant include small amounts of B vitamins like thiamine, so when you consume high amounts of these you are getting a good dose.