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Do fermented foods from India like idli and dosa contain vitamin B12? Can eating these foods prevent vitamin B12 deficiency in vegetarian people?

Zanna
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Meera Singh
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1 Answers1

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According to this article idli and dosa contain little or no B12 (<0.001 micrograms per portion); indeed, they state B12 deficiency is a problem in India due to the prevalence of Vegetarian diet.

B12 Content in Foods

While some fermented soy foods, algae, and mushrooms contain B12 (see, for example this article), veg*ans are generally advised to eat supplements.

Kiochi
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  • but a lacto vegetarian diet would be healthy as regards vitamin b12, right – vidyarthi Sep 01 '19 at 21:16
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    @vidyarthi lacto vegetarian would have more b12 than vegan, but I would hesitate to say that you are healthy with respect to B12. If you look at the article I linked, they studied Indians, some of whom were deficient in B12 despite eating milk. Indeed, they write in the abstract that "Milk and curd (yoghurt) intakes were unrelated to B12 status." – Kiochi Sep 02 '19 at 22:44
  • the study you linked measured the blood samples of 'normal' people. Actually, in India, particularly south india, 'normal' people consume very less dairy products. All they consume is mainly a little curd used as a side dish. The children are given only a little of milk based sweet drink like Bournvita, Complan etc., Milk is taken as a luxury in south india, and not as a proper food. This is the cause of deficiency in B vitamins, in my purview – vidyarthi Sep 03 '19 at 08:01
  • I also read it on a general knowledge course book that all fermented foods contains vitamin B12. but your post is far better that that book for knowledge. – potato grill Jun 14 '21 at 10:43