What are the functions and effects of vitamin B2?
Sep 12, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, as one of the essential B-complex vitamins required by the human body, vitamin B2 (riboflavin) primarily functions to maintain the health of skin and mucous membranes, participate in energy metabolism, protect vision, promote growth and development, and assist in the prevention of anemia. When supplementing with vitamin B2, it is important to follow the recommended dosage to avoid excessive intake. It can be obtained daily through the consumption of animal liver, eggs, and other dietary sources.
Under normal circumstances, vitamin B2, as one of the essential B-complex vitamins for the human body, primarily functions to maintain the health of skin and mucous membranes, participate in energy metabolism, protect vision, promote growth and development, and assist in preventing anemia. Detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Maintain Skin and Mucous Membrane Health: Vitamin B2 is a crucial component in synthesizing substances required for repairing skin and mucous membranes. It is effective in preventing and improving conditions such as angular cheilitis, cheilosis, glossitis, scrotitis, and dry, flaking skin. It helps maintain the integrity and health of the skin, oral mucosa, and genital mucous membranes, thereby reducing the occurrence of inflammation.
2. Participate in Energy Metabolism: Vitamin B2 acts as a coenzyme involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the body. It helps convert these nutrients into energy required by the body, making it suitable for individuals with high physical exertion or weakened metabolic function, thus assisting in maintaining normal energy supply.
3. Protect Vision: Vitamin B2 helps maintain normal retinal function and reduces damage to the eyes caused by light exposure. It is effective in alleviating symptoms such as dry eyes, eye fatigue, and photophobia caused by vitamin B2 deficiency, helping maintain normal visual function, especially suitable for individuals who use their eyes extensively over long periods.
4. Promote Growth and Development: Vitamin B2 plays an important role in cell growth and regeneration. It assists in tissue repair and renewal in the body, making it beneficial for children and adolescents during their growth and development stages. It supports the normal growth of bones, muscles, and other tissues, meeting the nutritional needs during the growth process.
5. Assist in Preventing Anemia: Vitamin B2 promotes the absorption and utilization of iron, helping improve conditions of insufficient iron absorption. It assists in preventing iron-deficiency anemia and is particularly effective in improving anemia indirectly caused by vitamin B2 deficiency.
When supplementing with vitamin B2, it is important to follow the recommended dosage to avoid excessive intake. In daily life, it can be obtained through foods such as animal liver, eggs, dairy products, and dark green vegetables. If pharmaceutical supplementation is needed, it should be used appropriately after clearly assessing individual needs.
