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Nutrient table · IFCT 2017 · ICMR-NIN 2020

Thiamine (vitamin B1) content of Indian foods

Per 100 g, pistachio is the richest thiamine source in IFCT 2017 at 0.98 mg, followed by poppy seeds at 0.87 mg, safflower seeds at 0.85 mg and quinoa at 0.83 mg. Soya bean, peanuts, dried peas and whole wheat carry between 0.46 and 0.59 mg. ICMR-NIN 2020 sets an adult man's thiamine need at 1.8 mg a day and a woman's at 1.7 mg.

01The nutrient

What thiamine (vitamin b1) does, and where Indian diets stand

Thiamine, vitamin B1, helps the body turn carbohydrate into usable energy, and it keeps nerves and the heart working normally. Because the brain runs mostly on glucose, it depends heavily on thiamine. The body holds only small stores, so a steady daily supply matters, and needs rise with a diet high in carbohydrate.

India knows the effects of thiamine deficiency well. Beriberi was once common where people ate mostly polished rice, because thiamine sits in the bran and germ that milling removes. Parboiling, which drives the vitamin into the grain before milling, was one traditional answer. Today low thiamine is seen with heavy alcohol use, very monotonous rice diets, and in some breastfed infants of deficient mothers.

This table ranks the 239 foods in IFCT 2017 with a thiamine value, per 100 g. Nuts and oilseeds lead, with quinoa, soya, peanuts and dried peas close behind. Whole wheat and atta make the top 25, while polished rice does not. Leafy greens and most fruit sit at the bottom, at around 0.01 mg.

02The full table

All 239 foods ranked by thiamine (vitamin b1)

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 thiamine (vitamin b1) per 100 g
RankFoodGroupPer 100 gMan's daily needWoman's daily need
1PistachioNuts and oilseeds0.98 mg54%58%
2Poppy seedsSpices, herbs and condiments0.87 mg48%51%
3Safflower seedsNuts and oilseeds0.85 mg47%50%
4QuinoaCereals and millets0.83 mg46%49%
5Asafoetida (hing)Spices, herbs and condiments0.82 mg46%48%
6Cashew nutNuts and oilseeds0.61 mg34%36%
7Soya beanPulses and legumes0.59 mg33%35%
8Sunflower seedsNuts and oilseeds0.59 mg33%35%
9Peanuts (groundnut)Nuts and oilseeds0.57 mg32%34%
10Dried peasPulses and legumes0.56 mg31%33%
11Mustard seedsNuts and oilseeds0.55 mg31%32%
12ClovesSpices, herbs and condiments0.53 mg29%31%
13Cumin seedsSpices, herbs and condiments0.52 mg29%31%
14Garden cress seeds (halim)Nuts and oilseeds0.52 mg29%31%
15Niger seedsNuts and oilseeds0.46 mg26%27%
16Rice beanPulses and legumes0.46 mg26%27%
17Wheat (whole, suji and dalia)Cereals and millets0.46 mg26%27%
18Moth bean (matki)Pulses and legumes0.45 mg25%26%
19Red gram (toor or arhar)Pulses and legumes0.45 mg25%26%
20Wheat flour (atta and maida)Cereals and millets0.42 mg23%25%
21WalnutNuts and oilseeds0.4 mg22%24%
22Whole masoor (lentil)Pulses and legumes0.4 mg22%24%
23Chicken mushroomVegetables and mushrooms0.37 mg21%22%
24Ragi (finger millet)Cereals and millets0.37 mg21%22%
25BarleyCereals and millets0.36 mg20%21%
26Pine nuts (chilgoza)Nuts and oilseeds0.36 mg20%21%
27Bengal gram (chana)Pulses and legumes0.35 mg19%21%
28Field bean (dry)Pulses and legumes0.35 mg19%21%
29Green gram (moong)Pulses and legumes0.35 mg19%21%
30Jowar (sorghum)Cereals and millets0.35 mg19%21%
31Masoor dal (red lentil)Pulses and legumes0.34 mg19%20%
32Sesame seeds (til)Nuts and oilseeds0.34 mg19%20%
33TamarindFruits0.34 mg19%20%
34Cowpea (lobia)Pulses and legumes0.33 mg18%19%
35Maize (corn)Cereals and millets0.33 mg18%19%
36Horse gram (kulthi)Pulses and legumes0.32 mg18%19%
37Ajwain (carom seeds)Spices, herbs and condiments0.3 mg17%18%
38Rajma (red kidney beans)Pulses and legumes0.3 mg17%18%
39Varagu milletCereals and millets0.29 mg16%17%
40Chicken liver and gizzardMeat, poultry and eggs0.28 mg16%16%
41Fenugreek seeds (methi dana)Spices, herbs and condiments0.28 mg16%16%
42Flaxseeds (alsi)Nuts and oilseeds0.28 mg16%16%
43Green peas (fresh)Vegetables and mushrooms0.27 mg15%16%
44Agathi leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.26 mg14%15%
45Samai (little millet)Cereals and millets0.26 mg14%15%
46Bajra (pearl millet)Cereals and millets0.25 mg14%15%
47Oyster mushroom (dried)Vegetables and mushrooms0.24 mg13%14%
48Tender red gram (fresh toor)Vegetables and mushrooms0.23 mg13%14%
49DuckMeat, poultry and eggs0.22 mg12%13%
50Black gram (urad)Pulses and legumes0.21 mg12%12%
51GarlicSpices, herbs and condiments0.2 mg11%12%
52Coriander seedsSpices, herbs and condiments0.19 mg11%11%
53ParsleyGreen leafy vegetables0.19 mg11%11%
54Manila tamarind (jungle jalebi)Fruits0.18 mg10%11%
55PigeonMeat, poultry and eggs0.18 mg10%11%
56PorkMeat, poultry and eggs0.18 mg10%11%
57Country chicken (desi)Meat, poultry and eggs0.17 mg9%10%
58SpinachGreen leafy vegetables0.16 mg9%9%
59AlmondNuts and oilseeds0.15 mg8%9%
60Baby cornVegetables and mushrooms0.15 mg8%9%
61Custard apple (sitaphal)Fruits0.13 mg7%8%
62Gongura (gogu) leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.13 mg7%8%
63MaceSpices, herbs and condiments0.13 mg7%8%
64Scarlet runner beanVegetables and mushrooms0.13 mg7%8%
65Broad beansVegetables and mushrooms0.12 mg7%7%
66CardamomSpices, herbs and condiments0.12 mg7%7%
67Poha (rice flakes)Cereals and millets0.12 mg7%7%
68Tamarind leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.12 mg7%7%
69Chillies (green and red)Spices, herbs and condiments0.11 mg6%6%
70Fenugreek leaves (methi)Green leafy vegetables0.11 mg6%6%
71Khoa (mawa)Milk and dairy0.11 mg6%6%
72Puffed rice (murmura)Cereals and millets0.11 mg6%6%
73RambutanFruits0.11 mg6%6%
74Chicken (broiler)Meat, poultry and eggs0.1 mg6%6%
75EmuMeat, poultry and eggs0.1 mg6%6%
76Coriander leavesSpices, herbs and condiments0.09 mg5%5%
77RaisinsFruits0.09 mg5%5%
78Colocasia leaves (arbi patta)Green leafy vegetables0.08 mg4%5%
79Karimeen (pearl spot)Fish and seafood0.08 mg4%5%
80Mustard leaves (sarson)Green leafy vegetables0.08 mg4%5%
81Star fruitFruits0.08 mg4%5%
82AvocadoFruits0.07 mg4%4%
83CherriesFruits0.07 mg4%4%
84Curry leavesSpices, herbs and condiments0.07 mg4%4%
85Field beans (fresh pods)Vegetables and mushrooms0.07 mg4%4%
86Goat meat (mutton)Meat, poultry and eggs0.07 mg4%4%
87Lotus root (kamal kakdi)Roots and tubers0.07 mg4%4%
88MackerelFish and seafood0.07 mg4%4%
89Moon fishFish and seafood0.07 mg4%4%
90OrangeFruits0.07 mg4%4%
91Pumpkin leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.07 mg4%4%
92SalmonFish and seafood0.07 mg4%4%
93Sweet potatoRoots and tubers0.07 mg4%4%
94Tapioca (cassava)Roots and tubers0.07 mg4%4%
95Bamboo shootVegetables and mushrooms0.06 mg3%4%
96Basella leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.06 mg3%4%
97Bathua leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.06 mg3%4%
98Black pepperSpices, herbs and condiments0.06 mg3%4%
99Brinjal (baingan)Vegetables and mushrooms0.06 mg3%4%
100Brussels sproutsGreen leafy vegetables0.06 mg3%4%
101ClamFish and seafood0.06 mg3%4%
102Colocasia root (arbi)Roots and tubers0.06 mg3%4%
103Drumstick leaves (moringa)Green leafy vegetables0.06 mg3%4%
104EggMeat, poultry and eggs0.06 mg3%4%
105KalavaFish and seafood0.06 mg3%4%
106Knol-khol leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.06 mg3%4%
107Mud crabFish and seafood0.06 mg3%4%
108OysterFish and seafood0.06 mg3%4%
109Parrot fishFish and seafood0.06 mg3%4%
110Pippali (long pepper)Spices, herbs and condiments0.06 mg3%4%
111PomegranateFruits0.06 mg3%4%
112PomeloFruits0.06 mg3%4%
113PomfretFish and seafood0.06 mg3%4%
114PotatoRoots and tubers0.06 mg3%4%
115Queen fishFish and seafood0.06 mg3%4%
116Radish leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.06 mg3%4%
117StrawberryFruits0.06 mg3%4%
118Sweet lime (mosambi)Fruits0.06 mg3%4%
119TunaFish and seafood0.06 mg3%4%
120Turmeric powderSpices, herbs and condiments0.06 mg3%4%
121Bitter gourd (karela)Vegetables and mushrooms0.05 mg3%3%
122CapsicumVegetables and mushrooms0.05 mg3%3%
123Cauliflower leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.05 mg3%3%
124Cluster beans (gawar)Vegetables and mushrooms0.05 mg3%3%
125GuavaFruits0.05 mg3%3%
126Jackfruit (ripe)Fruits0.05 mg3%3%
127LettuceGreen leafy vegetables0.05 mg3%3%
128MathaFish and seafood0.05 mg3%3%
129Milk fishFish and seafood0.05 mg3%3%
130MulletFish and seafood0.05 mg3%3%
131OctopusFish and seafood0.05 mg3%3%
132PineappleFruits0.05 mg3%3%
133Pointed gourd (parwal)Vegetables and mushrooms0.05 mg3%3%
134QuailMeat, poultry and eggs0.05 mg3%3%
135Raw jackfruitVegetables and mushrooms0.05 mg3%3%
136RiceCereals and millets0.05 mg3%3%
137Sheep meat (lamb)Meat, poultry and eggs0.05 mg3%3%
138Shiitake mushroomVegetables and mushrooms0.05 mg3%3%
139TurkeyMeat, poultry and eggs0.05 mg3%3%
140ZucchiniVegetables and mushrooms0.05 mg3%3%
141Amaranth seed (rajgira)Cereals and millets0.04 mg2%2%
142Apricot (dried and processed)Fruits0.04 mg2%2%
143CarrotRoots and tubers0.04 mg2%2%
144CauliflowerVegetables and mushrooms0.04 mg2%2%
145CoconutNuts and oilseeds0.04 mg2%2%
146Drumstick (moringa pods)Vegetables and mushrooms0.04 mg2%2%
147FigFruits0.04 mg2%2%
148French beansVegetables and mushrooms0.04 mg2%2%
149GingerSpices, herbs and condiments0.04 mg2%2%
150Ivy gourd (kundru)Vegetables and mushrooms0.04 mg2%2%
151JaggerySugars and natural drinks0.04 mg2%2%
152Knol-khol (kohlrabi)Vegetables and mushrooms0.04 mg2%2%
153Lemon (juice)Fruits0.04 mg2%2%
154NutmegSpices, herbs and condiments0.04 mg2%2%
155Okra (bhindi)Vegetables and mushrooms0.04 mg2%2%
156OnionSpices, herbs and condiments0.04 mg2%2%
157Wood apple (kaitha)Fruits0.04 mg2%2%
158Yam (suran)Roots and tubers0.04 mg2%2%
159AnchovyFish and seafood0.03 mg2%2%
160AppleFruits0.03 mg2%2%
161Ash gourd (petha)Vegetables and mushrooms0.03 mg2%2%
162BaelFruits0.03 mg2%2%
163Betel leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.03 mg2%2%
164Bombay duckFish and seafood0.03 mg2%2%
165Bottle gourd (lauki)Vegetables and mushrooms0.03 mg2%2%
166CabbageGreen leafy vegetables0.03 mg2%2%
167Celery stalkVegetables and mushrooms0.03 mg2%2%
168ChembaliFish and seafood0.03 mg2%2%
169CurrantsFruits0.03 mg2%2%
170DatesFruits0.03 mg2%2%
171Garden cress leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.03 mg2%2%
172GrapesFruits0.03 mg2%2%
173MangoFruits0.03 mg2%2%
174MilkMilk and dairy0.03 mg2%2%
175PapayaFruits0.03 mg2%2%
176PhalsaFruits0.03 mg2%2%
177PumpkinVegetables and mushrooms0.03 mg2%2%
178RabbitMeat, poultry and eggs0.03 mg2%2%
179RadishRoots and tubers0.03 mg2%2%
180Rumex leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.03 mg2%2%
181Seer fish (vanjaram)Fish and seafood0.03 mg2%2%
182SharkFish and seafood0.03 mg2%2%
183Snake gourdVegetables and mushrooms0.03 mg2%2%
184SoursopFruits0.03 mg2%2%
185Spring onionVegetables and mushrooms0.03 mg2%2%
186SugarcaneSugars and natural drinks0.03 mg2%2%
187TomatoVegetables and mushrooms0.03 mg2%2%
188Beet greensGreen leafy vegetables0.02 mg1%1%
189Black snapperFish and seafood0.02 mg1%1%
190Colocasia stemVegetables and mushrooms0.02 mg1%1%
191CucumberVegetables and mushrooms0.02 mg1%1%
192Guinea fowlMeat, poultry and eggs0.02 mg1%1%
193JamunFruits0.02 mg1%1%
194LitchiFruits0.02 mg1%1%
195Mango ginger (amba haldi)Spices, herbs and condiments0.02 mg1%1%
196Mint leavesSpices, herbs and condiments0.02 mg1%1%
197Pak Choi leavesGreen leafy vegetables0.02 mg1%1%
198PaneerMilk and dairy0.02 mg1%1%
199PeachFruits0.02 mg1%1%
200PearFruits0.02 mg1%1%
201PlumFruits0.02 mg1%1%
202PonnaganniGreen leafy vegetables0.02 mg1%1%
203Raw mangoVegetables and mushrooms0.02 mg1%1%
204Raw papayaVegetables and mushrooms0.02 mg1%1%
205Red snapperFish and seafood0.02 mg1%1%
206Ridge gourd (turai)Vegetables and mushrooms0.02 mg1%1%
207SilanFish and seafood0.02 mg1%1%
208Silver carpFish and seafood0.02 mg1%1%
209SquidFish and seafood0.02 mg1%1%
210TilapiaFish and seafood0.02 mg1%1%
211Tinda (round gourd)Vegetables and mushrooms0.02 mg1%1%
212Water ChestnutRoots and tubers0.02 mg1%1%
213WatermelonFruits0.02 mg1%1%
214Amaranth leaves (chaulai)Green leafy vegetables0.01 mg1%1%
215Amaranth spinosusGreen leafy vegetables0.01 mg1%1%
216Amla (Indian gooseberry)Fruits0.01 mg1%1%
217BananaFruits0.01 mg1%1%
218Beet rootRoots and tubers0.01 mg1%1%
219Ber (Indian jujube)Fruits0.01 mg1%1%
220Bhetki (barramundi)Fish and seafood0.01 mg1%1%
221Black berryFruits0.01 mg1%1%
222Button mushroomVegetables and mushrooms0.01 mg1%1%
223CatfishFish and seafood0.01 mg1%1%
224CatlaFish and seafood0.01 mg1%1%
225Chikoo (sapota)Fruits0.01 mg1%1%
226Chow chow (chayote)Vegetables and mushrooms0.01 mg1%1%
227Coconut waterSugars and natural drinks0.01 mg1%1%
228CrabFish and seafood0.01 mg1%1%
229Hilsa (ilish)Fish and seafood0.01 mg1%1%
230KarondaFruits0.01 mg1%1%
231LobsterFish and seafood0.01 mg1%1%
232MangosteenFruits0.01 mg1%1%
233MuskmelonFruits0.01 mg1%1%
234Palm fruit (tadgola)Fruits0.01 mg1%1%
235Plantain (raw banana)Vegetables and mushrooms0.01 mg1%1%
236RaniFish and seafood0.01 mg1%1%
237SardineFish and seafood0.01 mg1%1%
238Sole fishFish and seafood0.01 mg1%1%
239Tiger prawnsFish and seafood0.01 mg1%1%

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. Thiamine (vitamin B1) content of Indian foods. Data: Indian Food Composition Tables 2017, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition. https://nnwa.in/foods/nutrients/thiamine/

03Vegetarian sources

The top vegetarian sources of thiamine (vitamin b1)

Top vegetarian sources of thiamine (vitamin b1) per 100 g
FoodGroupPer 100 g
PistachioNuts and oilseeds0.98 mg
Poppy seedsSpices, herbs and condiments0.87 mg
Safflower seedsNuts and oilseeds0.85 mg
QuinoaCereals and millets0.83 mg
Asafoetida (hing)Spices, herbs and condiments0.82 mg
Cashew nutNuts and oilseeds0.61 mg
Soya beanPulses and legumes0.59 mg
Sunflower seedsNuts and oilseeds0.59 mg
Peanuts (groundnut)Nuts and oilseeds0.57 mg
Dried peasPulses and legumes0.56 mg
Mustard seedsNuts and oilseeds0.55 mg
ClovesSpices, herbs and condiments0.53 mg
Cumin seedsSpices, herbs and condiments0.52 mg
Garden cress seeds (halim)Nuts and oilseeds0.52 mg
Niger seedsNuts and oilseeds0.46 mg
04How much you need

Thiamine (vitamin B1) requirements for Indians

ICMR-NIN 2020 sets the recommended thiamine intake at 1.8 mg a day for a 65 kg man and 1.7 mg a day for a 55 kg woman. The estimated average requirements for thiamine are 1.5 mg and 1.4 mg. Needs are tied to energy intake, so people doing heavy work or eating large amounts of carbohydrate need more.

No single food in the table reaches a full day's thiamine in 100 g; even pistachio supplies a little over half the adult man's figure. Thiamine therefore comes from many foods eaten across the day, with whole grains and pulses doing most of the work.

05Using the table

From a table to a plate

These thiamine values are for 100 g of raw food. Thiamine dissolves in water and is damaged by heat and by alkali, so washing rice many times, draining its cooking water, and adding baking soda to dal or chana to soften them all cut what reaches the plate. Grains are listed raw; a roti or a bowl of cooked dal carries less per 100 g than the figure shown, but still a useful share of the day.

  • Prefer chakki atta, whole wheat dalia and millets to maida and polished rice for daily meals.
  • Use hand-pounded or parboiled rice rather than highly polished white rice when you can.
  • Do not add baking soda when cooking dal, chana or rajma; soak them overnight instead to soften them.
  • Wash rice once or twice rather than many times, and cook it by absorption rather than draining.
  • Add peanuts, soya chunks, dried peas or a few pistachios to meals and snacks.
  • Anyone who drinks alcohol heavily should talk to a doctor about thiamine, since alcohol interferes with how it is absorbed and used.
06Questions

What people ask about thiamine (vitamin b1)

Which Indian foods are high in thiamine?

In IFCT 2017, pistachio leads at 0.98 mg per 100 g, then poppy seeds at 0.87 mg, safflower seeds at 0.85 mg and quinoa at 0.83 mg. Cashew, soya bean, sunflower seeds, peanuts and dried peas are useful everyday sources.

What is the daily thiamine requirement for adults?

Adult men need 1.8 mg of thiamine a day and adult women 1.7 mg, according to ICMR-NIN 2020, with average requirements of 1.5 mg and 1.4 mg. Whole grains and pulses at every meal usually meet it.

Why is polished rice low in thiamine?

Most of the thiamine in rice sits in the bran and germ, which milling removes to make white rice, and washing and draining remove more. Parboiled and hand-pounded rice keep a larger share. Whole wheat, at 0.46 mg per 100 g, carries far more than polished rice.

What are the signs of thiamine deficiency?

Early signs are vague: tiredness, poor appetite, irritability and tingling in the feet. Severe deficiency causes beriberi, which affects the nerves or the heart, and a brain disorder seen with heavy drinking. These need urgent medical care, not diet changes alone.

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