Vitamin B1, also known as thiamine, is one of the first vitamins discovered by scientists in the early 20th century. It plays an important role in carbohydrate metabolism, stimulates mental activity, improves digestion and calms the nervous system. B1 is considered the vitamin of optimism, as it relieves stress, relieves depression and improves mood.
A lack of vitamin B1 can cause a number of unpleasant symptoms, including increased irritability, depression, insomnia, numbness in the arms and legs, poor coordination, decreased appetite, nausea, diarrhea and shortness of breath. These symptoms can occur when you overindulge in refined foods such as white bread, sugar and rice. Also, coffee lovers should remember that this drink destroys 50% of thiamine in the body.
In order to get enough vitamin B1, you need to eat foods rich in this vitamin. Thiamine is found in brewer's yeast, legumes, nuts, egg yolks, oranges, raisins, prunes, fish, crabs, pork, veal, tomatoes, carrots, beans, corn, cabbage, wheat germ and hulls, cereals, as well as flour coarsely ground, rich in bran. Some medicinal plants, such as oregano, clover, nettle, corn, alfalfa, sea buckthorn, rose hips, parsley, peppermint, raspberry leaf, sage, clover, sorrel, burdock root and chamomile, also contain vitamin B1.
The need for vitamin B1 increases with physical and mental stress, in the cold and depends on gender and age. In the daily diet of adults, vitamin B1 is required from 1.5 to 2.6 mg for men and 1.3-1.9 mg for women.
Thus, vitamin B1 plays an important role in maintaining health and well-being. If you feel tired, irritable or depressed, try increasing your intake of foods rich in vitamin B1. This will help you get rid of stress, improve your mood and gain a boost of optimism.