Locations:
Search IconSearch

6 Health Benefits of Thiamine (Vitamin B1)

Getting enough thiamine in your diet can protect your heart, brain and nervous system

Thiamine or vitamin B1 and potatoe, olive and orange slice

Vitamin B1 (thiamine or thiamin) is one of eight B vitamins. It’s also No. 1. That is, researchers discovered this B-complex vitamin first — hence its B1 name.

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

You may be more familiar with another B vitamin, folate (vitamin B9), which helps prevent birth defects. But thiamine (vitamin B1) is equally important for keeping your body, brain and heart healthy.

What is thiamine (vitamin B1)?

“Thiamine helps break down carbohydrates for energy,” says registered dietitian Amanda Igel, MS, RD, LD. “Your liver stores a small amount of thiamine. But since your body doesn’t naturally make it, you must get thiamine every day from foods or, in some cases, supplements.”

What does vitamin B1 do for your body?

Your body needs vitamin B1 (thiamine) to make adenosine triphosphate (ATP). All the cells in your body use and store ATP for energy.

That’s important enough on its own. But research suggests vitamin B1 also may offer these six health benefits:

1. Helps treat certain causes of heart failure

“Your heart needs a constant supply of energy to keep it pumping,” says Igel. “Not getting enough thiamine can affect how well your heart works.” As many as 1 in 3 people with congestive heart failure have a thiamine deficiency. Not getting enough thiamine in your diet can lead to a type of heart failure called cardiac or “wet” beriberi.

“Beriberi is the medical term for diseases caused by thiamine deficiency,” says Igel. “There are different beriberi diseases, depending on the affected body system.”

Advertisement

Cardiac or “wet” beriberi causes congestive heart failure, swelling in your legs (edema), difficulty breathing and neck veins that stick out. Some studies indicate that taking thiamine supplements every day can improve these symptoms.

2. Keeps your nervous system healthy

The other type of beriberi — dry beriberi — affects your nervous system. Your nervous system sends signals from your brain to your body, telling it what to do. It controls your movements, thoughts and automatic responses, such as breathing and digestion.

Dry beriberi has the biggest effect on your peripheral nerves, which send signals to your brain to help you feel sensations like hot and cold. Peripheral nerves also aid balance and coordination. “Not getting enough thiamine can interfere with these signals,” says Igel.

Dry beriberi can cause peripheral neuropathy and these symptoms:

  • Clumsiness or loss of balance.
  • Lower leg paralysis.
  • Loss of sensation in your feet (making walking difficult) and hands (so you can’t feel temperatures or textures).
  • Muscle weakness.
  • Nerve pain or a pins-and-needles sensation.

When dry beriberi is caught early, you may be able to stop and reverse nervous system damage by getting more vitamin B1. Depending on the severity of your thiamine deficiency, your healthcare provider may prescribe a daily thiamine supplement or even intravenous thiamine injections.

3. May prevent brain disease

Your brain also needs thiamine-generated energy to help you think and remember. Severe thiamine deficiency can lead to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. This disorder affects brain health, causing symptoms similar to Alzheimer’s disease.

“People with alcohol use disorder are most at risk because long-term alcohol use interferes with your body’s ability to absorb vitamins,” says Igel. “They’re also more at risk because the calories they consume mostly come from alcohol, which doesn’t contain thiamine.” People who have had gastric bypass surgery are also at risk for Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

Nonhuman studies indicate that chronically low levels of thiamine can lead to protein build-up in the brain. These proteins form plaques and tangles that cause brain cells to die. These same events occur as Alzheimer’s disease develops, so researchers are exploring whether increasing thiamine amounts may help prevent or slow both brain diseases.

4. Strengthens your immune system

B-complex vitamins, including thiamine, keep your immune system healthy and minimize stress-induced inflammation. A healthy immune system can better protect your body from germs, infections and illnesses. Some experts call vitamin B1 “the anti-stress vitamin” because it helps your body cope during stressful situations.

Advertisement

5. Protects your peepers

Diets containing higher intakes of B vitamins, including thiamine, are linked with a lower risk for cataracts. These cloudy areas form on your eye lenses, causing vision problems like blurred or double vision.

6. May improve blood sugar management

For reasons that aren’t clear, people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes tend to have low thiamine levels. Researchers are studying whether raising thiamine levels through supplements can improve blood sugar levels and glucose tolerance.

Experts are also interested in whether thiamine supplements can ease diabetes-related neuropathy. This condition causes symptoms similar to peripheral neuropathy, including pain, tingling and burning sensations. You may also lose sensation in your feet and develop diabetes-related foot ulcers.

How much vitamin B1 (thiamine) do I need every day?

The amount of thiamine or vitamin B1 (measured in milligrams or mg) you need each day depends on your age, assigned sex at birth and whether you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.

Try to aim for the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). But there are no known side effects or risks if you get more than the RDA. “Like all B vitamins, thiamine is water-soluble,” notes Igel. “Your body flushes out the excess when you pee.”

Age
Birth to 6 months
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)
0.2 mg
Infants 7 months to 12 months
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)
0.3 mg
Children 1 year to 3 years
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)
0.5 mg
Children 4 years to 8 years
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)
0.6 mg
Children 9 years to 13 years
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)
0.9 mg
Female teens 14 to 18 years
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)
1.0 mg
Female adults ages 18+
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)
1.1 mg
Male teens 14 to 18 years
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)
1.2 mg
Male adults ages 18+
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)
1.2 mg
Pregnant or breastfeeding people
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)
1.4 mg

Source: National Institutes of Health

Advertisement

What foods have thiamine?

Thiamine is a micronutrient, which means small amounts of the vitamin are found in foods you probably eat every day. These include:

Do I need vitamin B1 supplements?

Probably not. Regularly eating thiamine-rich foods can ensure you get enough of this B vitamin. If you’re concerned about how much thiamine you’re getting, a healthcare provider can order a blood test to check your thiamine levels.

If your B1 levels are low, they may recommend multivitamins with vitamin B1. You can also buy thiamine tablets and B-complex vitamin supplements. “But a healthy diet is always the best way to get your vitamins,” states Igel.

Advertisement

Learn more about our editorial process.

Health Library
Thiamine Tablets

Related Articles

Bowl of oatmeal, topped with fried egg and avocado, with small bowl of seeds on table
December 10, 2024/Cancer Care & Prevention
Foods To Eat and Avoid When You Have Advanced Gastric Cancer

Opt for soft foods or liquids that are rich in protein, calories and vitamins

Person holding bottle of vitamins, reading the label
December 9, 2024/Women's Health
Can You Take Prenatal Vitamins Without Being Pregnant?

The pros and cons of taking prenatal vitamins when you’re not pregnant depend on your age, ethnicity and health

Person scrutinizing serving size on an oversized nutrition label
December 3, 2024/Nutrition
Understanding Portion Sizes: How Much Are You Really Eating?

Getting the hang of portions can help you better understand how much to put on your plate

Smiling mother looking down on baby breastfeeding
November 8, 2024/Nutrition
Intermittent Fasting While Breastfeeding: Is It Safe?

Intermittent fasting could impact your milk supply and energy levels, so it’s best to wait until you’ve weaned your baby from nursing

Spoonful of pumpkin seeds on a bed of roasted pumpkin seeds
November 6, 2024/Nutrition
The Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds

Rich in protein, fiber, unsaturated fats and must-have minerals, pepitas are a great healthy-snacking option — and we have recipe ideas to help get you started!

Adding spoonful of allulose to mug of coffee
November 4, 2024/Nutrition
What You Need To Know About Allulose

Although allulose is an FDA-approved sugar substitute, more research is needed to understand its safety

Steak on a plate, with fork and knife
November 1, 2024/Cancer Care & Prevention
Does Red Meat Cause Cancer?

Eating red and processed meats can raise your risk of developing certain types of cancer

Sources of vitamin D, including foods like fish and dairy, sunshine and supplements
October 25, 2024/Nutrition
What Does Vitamin D Do?

The benefits of vitamin D include stronger bones, a hardier immune system and better overall health

Trending Topics

Person touching aching ear, with home remedies floating around
Home Remedies for an Ear Infection: What To Try and What To Avoid

Not all ear infections need antibiotics — cold and warm compresses and changing up your sleep position can help

Infographic of foods high in iron, including shrimp, oysters, peas, cream of wheat, prunes, eggs, broccoli, beef and chicken
52 Foods High In Iron

Pump up your iron intake with foods like tuna, tofu and turkey

Person squeezing half a lemon into a glass of water
Is Starting Your Day With Lemon Water Healthy?

A glass of lemon water in the morning can help with digestion and boost vitamin C levels, and may even help get you into a better routine

Ad