Super-nutrient of the week Vitamin B2 with Nutritionist Nikki Hart.

Vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin, plays an important role in energy metabolism in the body.

Foods with high levels of vitamin B2 include milk, yoghurt, spelt flour and venison.

Light destroys vitamin B2, which is why milk is now sold in paper or opaque plastic cartons instead of glass bottles. Back when milk was delivered to letter boxes, sunlight would destroy the vitamin B2 present in the milk.

If you take an oral contraceptive, you should be aware that it will decrease the availability of vitamin B2 in your body.

Supplements often contain both vitamins B1 and B2 because these two vitamins work better together. Good supplies of vitamin B1 (found in foods such as wheatgerm, liver and beans) will help increase your levels of B2.

You may need more vitamin B2 in your diet if you have:

A sensitivity to light.

Itching and burning around the eyes.

A sore mouth, tongue and lips.

Cracking of the skin around the corners of the mouth.

 

A B2 booster shake

1 cup milk

1/2 pottle yoghurt

1 banana

6-8 boysenberries

1 tsp wheatgerm

Crushed ice cubes

Blend ingredients together in a food processor. Serve.

 

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