Vitamin B2
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Form: Riboflavin
Food source: Asparagus, artichokes, avocados, currants, fortified cereals, lima beans, navy beans, peas, molasses, mushrooms, almonds, parsley, pumpkins, sage, sweet potatoes cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, spinach, watercress) and whole grain breads. Also in fish, beef, poultry, dairy products and eggs.
Benefits of Vitamin B2
- Energy
- Healthy eyes
- Gut health
What is Vitamin B2?
Vitamin B2 is an antioxidant, a compound that keeps the number of unstable molecules (known as ‘free radicals) at a healthy level in the body. These molecules are naturally occurring, but an imbalance can cause inflammation and is associated with a number of diseases. Free radical ‘scavengers’ like Vitamin B2 regulate the levels of these molecules and maintain the health of a range of bodily systems.
One area that is vulnerable to the damage of excess free radicals and inflammation is your eyes. Vitamin B2 reduces oxidative stress (the condition of having too many free radicals) which can cause damage to cells in the body, including those in the eyes - helping to maintain normal vision and may play a role in healing corneal damages. Learn more about the ‘7 key nutrients to support your eye health’ and ‘Tips for better eye health’.
Vitamin B2 is also important for the conversion of the food we eat into energy that we can use, so it contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. This makes Vitamin B2 important for conditions that can lead to a lack of energy and is a key nutrient in UltraEnergy, our high strength B Vitamin complex. Vitamin B2 is particularly relevant for the metabolism of iron, an essential mineral in making red blood cells (link to Iron page). Studies have indicated that this is because of the role it plays in the maintenance of our gut microbiome - the living ecosystem within our gut that includes good bacteria and plays an important role in digestive, cardiovascular and brain health.
You may also enjoy reading ‘How to beat chronic fatigue’ and ‘Foods to help increase energy and reduce stress’. Discover the ‘Best alternatives to caffeine’
