Metabolism — MCQs

Question 1: Which of the following foods should be consumed to prevent thiamine deficiency?

• A. Whole grain cereals and legumes (Correct Answer)
• B. Dairy products and eggs
• C. Fresh fruits and vegetables
• D. Polished white rice
• E. Red meat and poultry

Explanation: ***Whole grain cereals and legumes*** - **Whole grain cereals** (brown rice, oats, wheat germ, fortified cereals) and **legumes** (beans, lentils, peas) are **excellent natural sources of thiamine (vitamin B1)** - They retain the **bran and germ** layers where thiamine is concentrated - Regular consumption effectively prevents **thiamine deficiency** and associated conditions like beriberi and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome - This is the **primary dietary recommendation** for thiamine adequacy *Polished white rice* - Polished white rice has the **bran and germ removed** during processing, eliminating most of the thiamine content - Consuming polished white rice as a staple **causes thiamine deficiency**, leading to **beriberi** (common in populations with rice-based diets) - Unless fortified with thiamine, polished white rice contributes to deficiency rather than preventing it *Dairy products and eggs* - While nutritious, dairy products and eggs contain **relatively low amounts of thiamine** - Not reliable sources for meeting daily thiamine requirements - Contribute to overall nutrition but insufficient alone to prevent thiamine deficiency *Fresh fruits and vegetables* - Most fruits and vegetables contain **modest amounts of thiamine** compared to whole grains - Some exceptions include peas, asparagus, and Brussels sprouts, but typical servings provide limited thiamine - Important for overall health but not primary thiamine sources *Red meat and poultry* - Pork is actually a **good source of thiamine**, particularly organ meats - However, **whole grains and legumes** remain the most reliable and accessible plant-based sources - Red meat and poultry provide moderate thiamine but are not the best answer for preventing deficiency in general populations