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Vitamin B12: If you feel tired very early in the day or your body feels exhausted around 2 p.m., it could be a sign of something other than just a coffee addiction. While consuming caffeine may feel like it awakens your mind and gives your body a temporary boost of energy, vitamin B12 provides sustained, natural energy by supporting cellular metabolism.
Let us understand how you can fulfill the requirement of vitamin B12 in your body without causing any harm from consuming synthetic caffeine.
Natural caffeine vs. synthetic caffeine
The main difference between natural caffeine and synthetic caffeine lies in their sources: one is plant-based and the other is laboratory-made.
People usually prefer synthetic caffeine like coffee, sodas and energy drinks because it is absorbed faster and creates sharper spikes in the body, making you feel instantly energized.
However, natural and plant-based caffeine works more slowly and provides smoother energy from natural sources due to co-factors such as antioxidants.
How does vitamin B12 work in your body?
Vitamin B12 is important for energy production, red blood cell formation, and maintaining a healthy nervous system in your body.
It allows your body to produce DNA, repair nerve cells, and aid in the transport of oxygen, which prevents fatigue and maintains proper function of your nerves.
Without vitamin B12, your body has difficulty making enough healthy red blood cells, which are essential for carrying oxygen from the lungs to every cell in your body.
What does a vitamin B12 deficiency feel like?
If you ever experience severe fatigue, weakness, and lightheadedness, or other neurological problems such as numbness or tingling in your hands and feet, this could be a sign of vitamin B12 deficiency.
In addition, it can also cause mental dizziness, memory problems, mood changes such as depression or irritability, a sore or slippery tongue, and pale or yellowish skin.
What are the natural sources of vitamin B12?
You can find vitamin B12 naturally in beef liver, mussels, fish (salmon, tuna), meat, eggs and dairy products.
However, vegetarians and vegans can get vitamin B12 from fortified foods such as nutritional yeast, fortified grains and plant-based milk.
How to increase vitamin B12 levels naturally?
If you want to increase the level of vitamin B12 in your body naturally, you can include animal foods such as mussels, beef liver, fish (tuna, salmon), eggs and dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese) in your diet.
Vegetarians and vegans can boost their levels by incorporating fortified foods such as nutritional yeast, plant-based milk and grains, or by consuming nori seaweed in their diet.
Which dried fruits are rich in vitamin B12?
The main dried fruit options are almonds, cashews, walnuts, prunes, dried figs (anjeer), dates and raisins.
Which drink is best for B12?
The best drinks to boost vitamin B12 include milk, fortified plant milks such as soy, almond, oat and yogurt-based smoothies, and fortified fruit juices.
Are 2 eggs a day enough for vitamin B12?
2 eggs per day provide a significant portion of your daily vitamin B12 needs, but may not be enough to meet your entire needs alone.
What are the two main causes of vitamin B12 deficiency?
The two main causes of vitamin B12 deficiency are malabsorption, which is the body’s inability to absorb B12, and inadequate nutrition, which is inadequate intake of vitamin B12 in the diet.
While coffee provides instant energy and depletes quickly, vitamin B12 offers a natural and safe way to provide energy and maintain your body’s overall health.
Disclaimer: The above information in the content is for general knowledge only. The Sunday Guardian makes no claims and recommends consulting health experts before taking supplements.
