Vitamin B2

Vitamin B2 (also: riboflavin) is one of the water-soluble vitamins of the B complex. As a component of coenzymes, it is involved in numerous metabolic reactions, including the respiratory chain, the metabolism of fatty and amino acids and various other vitamins. Overall, vitamin B2 plays an important role in normal cell function, growth and development. Vitamin B2 can be easily destroyed by light, but is relatively heat-resistant. An undersupply causes skin and mucous membrane changes in particular.

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Where is vitamin B2 contained?
How Much Vitamin B2 Do We Need?
Too much / too little vitamin B2?

Where is vitamin B2 contained?

Foods rich in vitamin B2 include milk and dairy products, whole grain products, meat and fish (e.g. pollack or mackerel). Offal such as liver, yeast, grain germs and certain types of cheese (e.g. whey cheese, camembert, mountain cheese and Emmentaler) have a particularly high content of vitamin B2.

How Much Vitamin B2 Do We Need?

The recommended daily intake for adults (25 to <51 years) according to the DA-CH reference values is 1.1 mg (women) and 1.4 mg (men) of vitamin B2. Pregnant women need 1.3 mg per day from the second trimester and 1.4 mg from the third trimester. Breastfeeding women should continue to consume 1.4 mg per day.

You can find out more about all age groups or groups of people as well as gender in the DA-CH reference values. For more information, see Covering Your Daily Vitamins.

Too much / too little vitamin B2?

So far, no undesirable health effects of a high intake of vitamin B2 naturally occurring in food are known.
A vitamin B2 deficiency on its own rarely occurs; it is usually combined with other deficiency states. An undersupply of vitamin B2 manifests itself primarily through skin and mucous membrane changes such as cracks in the corners of the mouth, inflammation of the oral mucosa and tongue. In addition, there may be problems with the eyes (e.g. conjunctivitis, changes in the cornea and clouding of the lens). If the vitamin B2 deficiency is severe, hypochromic anemia can develop. A vitamin B2 deficiency can, among other things, be favored by excessive alcohol consumption and the use of medication.

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