Vitamin B2, also known as Riboflavin, is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a vital role in energy metabolism, and is required for the metabolism of fats, ketone bodies, carbohydrates, and proteins. Vitamin B2 can be stored by the body in very insignificant amounts and hence it is necessary to replenish it on a daily basis. It is mainly found as an integral component of the coenzymes, flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and flavin mononucleotide (FMN). In the following lines, we have provided information on the health benefits, sources, functions and deficiency of Vitamin B2.

Benefits:

* It promotes the physical condition of the nervous system, skin, hair, eyes, mouth, and liver.
* It helps in prevention of headache and even some visual disturbances, particularly cataracts.
* It keeps the mucous membranes (such as those lining the mouth) healthy.
* Being an excellent antioxidant, it neutralizes the free radicals in the body and helps prevent serious illnesses such as heart disease and cancer.
* Studies have shown that it helps in the treatment of anemia, apart from migraine, headaches and rheumatoid arthritis.
* It regulates human growth and reproduction and aids red blood cell production.
* It is used to treat a number of skin disorders, such as acne (acne rosacea), dermatitis and eczema.
* It reinforces antibody reserves and in the process, helps shore up the immune system of the body.
* It promotes speed recovery from wounds, burns and other injuries, by keeping tissue in good repair.
* It helps treat nervous system problems, such as numbness and tingling, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, anxiety, stress, etc.