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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.

01The nutrient

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.

02The full table

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.

Indian foods ranked by riboflavin (vitamin b2) per 100 g
RankFoodGroupPer 100 gMan's daily needWoman's daily need
1Bathua leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.51 mg20%21%
2Palm fruit (tadgola)Fruits0.46 mg18%19%
3Drumstick leaves (moringa)Green leafy vegetables0.45 mg18%19%
4PigeonMeat, poultry and eggs0.39 mg16%16%
5Agathi leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.33 mg13%14%
6Mustard seedsNuts and oilseeds0.33 mg13%14%
7Freshwater EelFish and seafood0.31 mg12%13%
8AlmondNuts and oilseeds0.26 mg10%11%
9GarlicSpices, herbs and condiments0.25 mg10%10%
10Horse gram (kulthi)Pulses and legumes0.24 mg10%10%
11QuailMeat, poultry and eggs0.24 mg10%10%
12Soya beanPulses and legumes0.24 mg10%10%
13Ajwain (carom seeds)Spices, herbs and condiments0.23 mg9%10%
14Coriander seedsSpices, herbs and condiments0.23 mg9%10%
15Niger seedsNuts and oilseeds0.23 mg9%10%
16ClovesSpices, herbs and condiments0.22 mg9%9%
17Fenugreek leaves (methi)Green leafy vegetables0.22 mg9%9%
18Pak Choi leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.22 mg9%9%
19QuinoaCereals and millets0.22 mg9%9%
20Whole masoor (lentil)Pulses and legumes0.22 mg9%9%
21Bajra (pearl millet)Cereals and millets0.2 mg8%8%
22Chicken liver and gizzardMeat, poultry and eggs0.2 mg8%8%
23Varagu milletCereals and millets0.2 mg8%8%
24Amaranth leaves (chaulai)Green leafy vegetables0.19 mg8%8%
25EggMeat, poultry and eggs0.19 mg8%8%
26Mint leavesSpices, herbs and condiments0.19 mg8%8%
27Rajma (red kidney beans)Pulses and legumes0.19 mg8%8%
28BarleyCereals and millets0.18 mg7%8%
29Guinea fowlMeat, poultry and eggs0.18 mg7%8%
30Mustard leaves (sarson)Green leafy vegetables0.18 mg7%8%
31Sheep meat (lamb)Meat, poultry and eggs0.18 mg7%8%
32TilapiaFish and seafood0.18 mg7%8%
33Beet greensGreen leafy vegetables0.17 mg7%7%
34EmuMeat, poultry and eggs0.17 mg7%7%
35Goat meat (mutton)Meat, poultry and eggs0.17 mg7%7%
36Oyster mushroom (dried)Vegetables and mushrooms0.17 mg7%7%
37Ragi (finger millet)Cereals and millets0.17 mg7%7%
38Brussels sproutsGreen leafy vegetables0.16 mg6%7%
39Dried peasPulses and legumes0.16 mg6%7%
40Masoor dal (red lentil)Pulses and legumes0.16 mg6%7%
41Shiitake mushroomVegetables and mushrooms0.16 mg6%7%
42Basella leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.15 mg6%6%
43Bengal gram (chana)Pulses and legumes0.15 mg6%6%
44Garden cress seeds (halim)Nuts and oilseeds0.15 mg6%6%
45Knol-khol leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.15 mg6%6%
46Safflower seedsNuts and oilseeds0.15 mg6%6%
47Wheat (whole, suji and dalia)Cereals and millets0.15 mg6%6%
48Wheat flour (atta and maida)Cereals and millets0.15 mg6%6%
49Fenugreek seeds (methi dana)Spices, herbs and condiments0.14 mg6%6%
50Jowar (sorghum)Cereals and millets0.14 mg6%6%
51Manila tamarind (jungle jalebi)Fruits0.14 mg6%6%
52Mud crabFish and seafood0.14 mg6%6%
53Pippali (long pepper)Spices, herbs and condiments0.14 mg6%6%
54RabbitMeat, poultry and eggs0.14 mg6%6%
55Rice beanPulses and legumes0.14 mg6%6%
56Rumex leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.14 mg6%6%
57Amaranth spinosusGreen leafy vegetables0.13 mg5%5%
58Cumin seedsSpices, herbs and condiments0.13 mg5%5%
59Curry leavesSpices, herbs and condiments0.13 mg5%5%
60DuckMeat, poultry and eggs0.13 mg5%5%
61MaceSpices, herbs and condiments0.13 mg5%5%
62Pumpkin leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.13 mg5%5%
63Radish leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.13 mg5%5%
64Sunflower seedsNuts and oilseeds0.13 mg5%5%
65Green gram (moong)Pulses and legumes0.12 mg5%5%
66Peanuts (groundnut)Nuts and oilseeds0.12 mg5%5%
67Scarlet runner beanVegetables and mushrooms0.12 mg5%5%
68WalnutNuts and oilseeds0.12 mg5%5%
69Brinjal (baingan)Vegetables and mushrooms0.11 mg4%5%
70Khoa (mawa)Milk and dairy0.11 mg4%5%
71MilkMilk and dairy0.11 mg4%5%
72PapayaFruits0.11 mg4%5%
73Red gram (toor or arhar)Pulses and legumes0.11 mg4%5%
74TurkeyMeat, poultry and eggs0.11 mg4%5%
75Broad beansVegetables and mushrooms0.1 mg4%4%
76ClamFish and seafood0.1 mg4%4%
77Country chicken (desi)Meat, poultry and eggs0.1 mg4%4%
78CrabFish and seafood0.1 mg4%4%
79MackerelFish and seafood0.1 mg4%4%
80PaneerMilk and dairy0.1 mg4%4%
81ParsleyGreen leafy vegetables0.1 mg4%4%
82PonnaganniGreen leafy vegetables0.1 mg4%4%
83Poppy seedsSpices, herbs and condiments0.1 mg4%4%
84PorkMeat, poultry and eggs0.1 mg4%4%
85Sesame seeds (til)Nuts and oilseeds0.1 mg4%4%
86SpinachGreen leafy vegetables0.1 mg4%4%
87Black gram (urad)Pulses and legumes0.09 mg4%4%
88Black pepperSpices, herbs and condiments0.09 mg4%4%
89Chillies (green and red)Spices, herbs and condiments0.09 mg4%4%
90Cowpea (lobia)Pulses and legumes0.09 mg4%4%
91Custard apple (sitaphal)Fruits0.09 mg4%4%
92LettuceGreen leafy vegetables0.09 mg4%4%
93Maize (corn)Cereals and millets0.09 mg4%4%
94Moth bean (matki)Pulses and legumes0.09 mg4%4%
95MulletFish and seafood0.09 mg4%4%
96Tender red gram (fresh toor)Vegetables and mushrooms0.09 mg4%4%
97ZucchiniVegetables and mushrooms0.09 mg4%4%
98AvocadoFruits0.08 mg3%3%
99Betel leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.08 mg3%3%
100Pine nuts (chilgoza)Nuts and oilseeds0.08 mg3%3%
101Baby cornVegetables and mushrooms0.07 mg3%3%
102CardamomSpices, herbs and condiments0.07 mg3%3%
103CatfishFish and seafood0.07 mg3%3%
104CauliflowerVegetables and mushrooms0.07 mg3%3%
105Colocasia leaves (arbi patta)Green leafy vegetables0.07 mg3%3%
106Drumstick (moringa pods)Vegetables and mushrooms0.07 mg3%3%
107Field bean (dry)Pulses and legumes0.07 mg3%3%
108Field beans (fresh pods)Vegetables and mushrooms0.07 mg3%3%
109Mango ginger (amba haldi)Spices, herbs and condiments0.07 mg3%3%
110Milk fishFish and seafood0.07 mg3%3%
111Moon fishFish and seafood0.07 mg3%3%
112Okra (bhindi)Vegetables and mushrooms0.07 mg3%3%
113OysterFish and seafood0.07 mg3%3%
114Seer fish (vanjaram)Fish and seafood0.07 mg3%3%
115SilanFish and seafood0.07 mg3%3%
116TamarindFruits0.07 mg3%3%
117TunaFish and seafood0.07 mg3%3%
118Bamboo shootVegetables and mushrooms0.06 mg2%3%
119ChembaliFish and seafood0.06 mg2%3%
120Chicken (broiler)Meat, poultry and eggs0.06 mg2%3%
121Chicken mushroomVegetables and mushrooms0.06 mg2%3%
122French beansVegetables and mushrooms0.06 mg2%3%
123Garden cress leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.06 mg2%3%
124Gongura (gogu) leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.06 mg2%3%
125Knol-khol (kohlrabi)Vegetables and mushrooms0.06 mg2%3%
126LitchiFruits0.06 mg2%3%
127PhalsaFruits0.06 mg2%3%
128SalmonFish and seafood0.06 mg2%3%
129SardineFish and seafood0.06 mg2%3%
130CabbageGreen leafy vegetables0.05 mg2%2%
131Cauliflower leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.05 mg2%2%
132Coriander leavesSpices, herbs and condiments0.05 mg2%2%
133Flaxseeds (alsi)Nuts and oilseeds0.05 mg2%2%
134KalavaFish and seafood0.05 mg2%2%
135Karimeen (pearl spot)Fish and seafood0.05 mg2%2%
136Lotus root (kamal kakdi)Roots and tubers0.05 mg2%2%
137MathaFish and seafood0.05 mg2%2%
138NutmegSpices, herbs and condiments0.05 mg2%2%
139OctopusFish and seafood0.05 mg2%2%
140PangasFish and seafood0.05 mg2%2%
141Plantain (raw banana)Vegetables and mushrooms0.05 mg2%2%
142Pointed gourd (parwal)Vegetables and mushrooms0.05 mg2%2%
143Raw jackfruitVegetables and mushrooms0.05 mg2%2%
144RiceCereals and millets0.05 mg2%2%
145Samai (little millet)Cereals and millets0.05 mg2%2%
146Spring onionVegetables and mushrooms0.05 mg2%2%
147Yam (suran)Roots and tubers0.05 mg2%2%
148Amaranth seed (rajgira)Cereals and millets0.04 mg2%2%
149AnchovyFish and seafood0.04 mg2%2%
150Apricot (dried and processed)Fruits0.04 mg2%2%
151BaelFruits0.04 mg2%2%
152Bhetki (barramundi)Fish and seafood0.04 mg2%2%
153Bitter gourd (karela)Vegetables and mushrooms0.04 mg2%2%
154Celery stalkVegetables and mushrooms0.04 mg2%2%
155CoconutNuts and oilseeds0.04 mg2%2%
156Colocasia stemVegetables and mushrooms0.04 mg2%2%
157GingerSpices, herbs and condiments0.04 mg2%2%
158GuavaFruits0.04 mg2%2%
159Hilsa (ilish)Fish and seafood0.04 mg2%2%
160MangoFruits0.04 mg2%2%
161PistachioNuts and oilseeds0.04 mg2%2%
162Poha (rice flakes)Cereals and millets0.04 mg2%2%
163Puffed rice (murmura)Cereals and millets0.04 mg2%2%
164Queen fishFish and seafood0.04 mg2%2%
165RaisinsFruits0.04 mg2%2%
166RohuFish and seafood0.04 mg2%2%
167SharkFish and seafood0.04 mg2%2%
168SoursopFruits0.04 mg2%2%
169SquidFish and seafood0.04 mg2%2%
170SugarcaneSugars and natural drinks0.04 mg2%2%
171Sweet potatoRoots and tubers0.04 mg2%2%
172Amla (Indian gooseberry)Fruits0.03 mg1%1%
173BananaFruits0.03 mg1%1%
174Button mushroomVegetables and mushrooms0.03 mg1%1%
175CapsicumVegetables and mushrooms0.03 mg1%1%
176CarrotRoots and tubers0.03 mg1%1%
177Cashew nutNuts and oilseeds0.03 mg1%1%
178CatlaFish and seafood0.03 mg1%1%
179Chikoo (sapota)Fruits0.03 mg1%1%
180Chow chow (chayote)Vegetables and mushrooms0.03 mg1%1%
181Cluster beans (gawar)Vegetables and mushrooms0.03 mg1%1%
182Colocasia root (arbi)Roots and tubers0.03 mg1%1%
183CurrantsFruits0.03 mg1%1%
184DatesFruits0.03 mg1%1%
185GrapesFruits0.03 mg1%1%
186Green peas (fresh)Vegetables and mushrooms0.03 mg1%1%
187PineappleFruits0.03 mg1%1%
188Raw papayaVegetables and mushrooms0.03 mg1%1%
189Snake gourdVegetables and mushrooms0.03 mg1%1%
190Tamarind leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.03 mg1%1%
191Tiger prawnsFish and seafood0.03 mg1%1%
192Tinda (round gourd)Vegetables and mushrooms0.03 mg1%1%
193TomatoVegetables and mushrooms0.03 mg1%1%
194Ber (Indian jujube)Fruits0.02 mg1%1%
195Black berryFruits0.02 mg1%1%
196Bombay duckFish and seafood0.02 mg1%1%
197CherriesFruits0.02 mg1%1%
198FigFruits0.02 mg1%1%
199Ivy gourd (kundru)Vegetables and mushrooms0.02 mg1%1%
200JamunFruits0.02 mg1%1%
201KarondaFruits0.02 mg1%1%
202OrangeFruits0.02 mg1%1%
203Parrot fishFish and seafood0.02 mg1%1%
204PeachFruits0.02 mg1%1%
205PearFruits0.02 mg1%1%
206PlumFruits0.02 mg1%1%
207PomeloFruits0.02 mg1%1%
208PomfretFish and seafood0.02 mg1%1%
209PrawnsFish and seafood0.02 mg1%1%
210PumpkinVegetables and mushrooms0.02 mg1%1%
211RadishRoots and tubers0.02 mg1%1%
212Raw mangoVegetables and mushrooms0.02 mg1%1%
213Red snapperFish and seafood0.02 mg1%1%
214Silver carpFish and seafood0.02 mg1%1%
215Sole fishFish and seafood0.02 mg1%1%
216Star fruitFruits0.02 mg1%1%
217Tapioca (cassava)Roots and tubers0.02 mg1%1%
218Water ChestnutRoots and tubers0.02 mg1%1%
219WatermelonFruits0.02 mg1%1%
220AppleFruits0.01 mg0%0%
221Asafoetida (hing)Spices, herbs and condiments0.01 mg0%0%
222Ash gourd (petha)Vegetables and mushrooms0.01 mg0%0%
223Beet rootRoots and tubers0.01 mg0%0%
224Bottle gourd (lauki)Vegetables and mushrooms0.01 mg0%0%
225Coconut waterSugars and natural drinks0.01 mg0%0%
226CucumberVegetables and mushrooms0.01 mg0%0%
227Jackfruit (ripe)Fruits0.01 mg0%0%
228JaggerySugars and natural drinks0.01 mg0%0%
229Lemon (juice)Fruits0.01 mg0%0%
230LobsterFish and seafood0.01 mg0%0%
231MangosteenFruits0.01 mg0%0%
232MuskmelonFruits0.01 mg0%0%
233OnionSpices, herbs and condiments0.01 mg0%0%
234PomegranateFruits0.01 mg0%0%
235PotatoRoots and tubers0.01 mg0%0%
236RambutanFruits0.01 mg0%0%
237Ridge gourd (turai)Vegetables and mushrooms0.01 mg0%0%
238StrawberryFruits0.01 mg0%0%
239Sweet lime (mosambi)Fruits0.01 mg0%0%
240Turmeric powderSpices, herbs and condiments0.01 mg0%0%
241Wood apple (kaitha)Fruits0.01 mg0%0%

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/

03Vegetarian sources

The top vegetarian sources of riboflavin (vitamin b2)

Top vegetarian sources of riboflavin (vitamin b2) per 100 g
FoodGroupPer 100 g
Bathua leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.51 mg
Palm fruit (tadgola)Fruits0.46 mg
Drumstick leaves (moringa)Green leafy vegetables0.45 mg
Agathi leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.33 mg
Mustard seedsNuts and oilseeds0.33 mg
AlmondNuts and oilseeds0.26 mg
GarlicSpices, herbs and condiments0.25 mg
Horse gram (kulthi)Pulses and legumes0.24 mg
Soya beanPulses and legumes0.24 mg
Ajwain (carom seeds)Spices, herbs and condiments0.23 mg
Coriander seedsSpices, herbs and condiments0.23 mg
Niger seedsNuts and oilseeds0.23 mg
ClovesSpices, herbs and condiments0.22 mg
Fenugreek leaves (methi)Green leafy vegetables0.22 mg
Pak Choi leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.22 mg
04How much you need

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.

05Using the table

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.
06Questions

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.

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