Nutrient table · IFCT 2017 · ICMR-NIN 2020
Riboflavin (vitamin B2) content of Indian foods
Per 100 g, bathua leaves are the richest riboflavin source in IFCT 2017 at 0.51 mg, followed by tender palm fruit (tadgola) at 0.46 mg, drumstick leaves at 0.45 mg and pigeon meat at 0.39 mg. Agathi leaves and mustard seeds give 0.33 mg. ICMR-NIN 2020 puts daily riboflavin needs at 2.5 mg for men and 2.4 mg for women, well above any single food here.
What riboflavin (vitamin b2) does, and where Indian diets stand
Riboflavin, vitamin B2, helps enzymes release energy from food and keeps the skin, eyes and lining of the mouth healthy. It also helps the body use other B vitamins, including niacin and vitamin B6. Typical signs of a shortfall are cracks at the corners of the mouth, a sore, magenta tongue and sore, watery eyes.
Riboflavin intake is low in many Indian diets, particularly those short on milk, curd, eggs and green leafy vegetables. The vitamin is fairly stable to heat but breaks down in light, so milk left in clear bottles or in the sun loses some. Cereal-heavy meals carry little riboflavin, and refined grains even less.
This table ranks the 241 foods in IFCT 2017 with a riboflavin value, per 100 g. Leafy greens are a pleasant surprise near the top: bathua, drumstick leaves, agathi, methi, pak choi and amaranth all appear. Pulses, millets, seeds, almond, quail and pigeon also appear in the top 25, while gourds and most fruits barely register.
All 241 foods ranked by riboflavin (vitamin b2)
Per 100 g of the edible portion, highest first. The last two columns show the share of an adult's daily need that 100 g covers.
Values per 100 g of the edible portion. Source: Longvah T, Ananthan R, Bhaskarachary K, Venkaiah K. Indian Food Composition Tables 2017. National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research, Hyderabad. Daily needs: ICMR-NIN 2020 recommended dietary allowances for a 65 kg man and a 55 kg woman doing sedentary work (brief note).
Cite this page
NNWA Nutrition and Wellness Academy. Riboflavin (vitamin B2) content of Indian foods. Data: Indian Food Composition Tables 2017, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition. https://nnwa.in/foods/nutrients/riboflavin/
The top vegetarian sources of riboflavin (vitamin b2)
| Food | Group | Per 100 g |
|---|---|---|
| Bathua leaves | Green leafy vegetables | 0.51 mg |
| Palm fruit (tadgola) | Fruits | 0.46 mg |
| Drumstick leaves (moringa) | Green leafy vegetables | 0.45 mg |
| Agathi leaves | Green leafy vegetables | 0.33 mg |
| Mustard seeds | Nuts and oilseeds | 0.33 mg |
| Almond | Nuts and oilseeds | 0.26 mg |
| Garlic | Spices, herbs and condiments | 0.25 mg |
| Horse gram (kulthi) | Pulses and legumes | 0.24 mg |
| Soya bean | Pulses and legumes | 0.24 mg |
| Ajwain (carom seeds) | Spices, herbs and condiments | 0.23 mg |
| Coriander seeds | Spices, herbs and condiments | 0.23 mg |
| Niger seeds | Nuts and oilseeds | 0.23 mg |
| Cloves | Spices, herbs and condiments | 0.22 mg |
| Fenugreek leaves (methi) | Green leafy vegetables | 0.22 mg |
| Pak Choi leaves | Green leafy vegetables | 0.22 mg |
Riboflavin (vitamin B2) requirements for Indians
ICMR-NIN 2020 sets the recommended riboflavin intake at 2.5 mg a day for a 65 kg man and 2.4 mg a day for a 55 kg woman, with estimated average requirements of 2.1 mg and 2.0 mg. These targets are large compared with what any one food in the table provides.
Since bathua, the top food in the table, gives only about a fifth of the adult need per 100 g, riboflavin has to come from a spread of foods eaten every day: milk and curd, eggs, greens, pulses and whole grains.
From a table to a plate
Figures refer to 100 g of the raw food. Milk and curd do not rank high per 100 g, but they are eaten in large amounts, so a daily glass and a bowl add up to a steady share. Riboflavin survives normal cooking well, though some of it dissolves into the cooking water, so use the water from boiled greens and dal in the dish. Keep milk away from direct light, which destroys the vitamin.
- Include milk, curd or buttermilk daily; the volume eaten makes up for a modest figure per 100 g.
- Cook bathua, drumstick leaves, methi and amaranth into parathas, dal and saag through the winter and beyond.
- Store milk in opaque containers or in the dark, as light breaks down riboflavin.
- Add almonds, soya, horse gram or whole masoor to the week's meals.
- Choose bajra or kodo millet in place of polished rice now and then.
- For non-vegetarians, eggs and organ meats are good everyday additions.
What people ask about riboflavin (vitamin b2)
Which Indian foods are rich in riboflavin?
In IFCT 2017, bathua leaves lead at 0.51 mg per 100 g, then tender palm fruit at 0.46 mg, drumstick leaves at 0.45 mg and pigeon at 0.39 mg. Agathi leaves, mustard seeds and almonds are also among the higher sources.
How much vitamin B2 do adults need?
For riboflavin, the ICMR-NIN 2020 figures are 2.5 mg a day for men and 2.4 mg for women, with average requirements of 2.1 mg and 2.0 mg. No single food meets this in 100 g, so a varied diet matters.
What are the signs of low riboflavin?
Cracks at the corners of the mouth, a sore red tongue, dry flaky skin around the nose and sore, light-sensitive eyes are the common signs. They overlap with other deficiencies, so a doctor should assess them.
Is milk a good source of riboflavin?
Yes, mainly because of how much is drunk. Per 100 g, milk does not reach the top of the IFCT 2017 table, but a daily glass of milk and a bowl of curd make a steady contribution that few other foods match.
Related reading and tables
Vitamin B Complex Tablets: What Is Inside, and Who Needs Them
From the NNWA journal.
Calories (energy) content of Indian foods
Ranked per 100 g.
Protein content of Indian foods
Ranked per 100 g.
Dietary fibre content of Indian foods
Ranked per 100 g.
Total fat content of Indian foods
Ranked per 100 g.
Carbohydrate content of Indian foods
Ranked per 100 g.
Calcium content of Indian foods
Ranked per 100 g.
Iron content of Indian foods
Ranked per 100 g.
Zinc content of Indian foods
Ranked per 100 g.
Magnesium content of Indian foods
Ranked per 100 g.