Understanding the Diet that Leads to Beriberi: A Guide to Prevention

December 6, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the World Health Organization, thiamine deficiency can manifest within just 2–3 months of inadequate dietary intake, leading to the serious condition known as beriberi. This disease primarily results from consuming a diet lacking in vitamin B1, also known as thiamine.

Quick Summary

A diet low in thiamine (vitamin B1) is the primary cause of beriberi, often linked to high consumption of refined carbohydrates like white rice or excessive alcohol intake. The body quickly depletes its thiamine stores, necessitating a steady dietary supply to prevent deficiency.

Key Points

Thiamine Deficiency: Beriberi is caused by a severe lack of thiamine (vitamin B1) in the diet.
Refined Grains: High consumption of polished white rice and refined carbohydrates (like white flour and sugar) is a primary dietary cause.
Alcoholism: Chronic alcohol use severely inhibits thiamine absorption and leads to poor nutritional intake, making it a major risk factor.
Poor Absorption: Factors like chronic diarrhea, bariatric surgery, and genetic disorders can also interfere with thiamine absorption.
Prevention: A balanced diet rich in whole grains, legumes, meat, and fortified foods is the best way to prevent beriberi.
Rapid Depletion: The body's thiamine stores can be depleted in as little as a few weeks with an inadequate diet.
Infantile Beriberi: Breastfed infants of thiamine-deficient mothers are at risk of developing beriberi.

The Core Dietary Cause of Beriberi

Beriberi is a disease caused by a severe deficiency of thiamine, or vitamin B1. The human body requires a steady supply of this essential, water-soluble vitamin for key functions like carbohydrate metabolism and nerve function. Because thiamine stores are small and can be depleted in a matter of weeks, a sustained poor diet is the leading cause of beriberi. Historically and even today, the most common dietary cause is a diet composed almost exclusively of milled or polished white rice. The milling process removes the husk and bran, stripping the grain of its natural thiamine content. This practice has led to beriberi epidemics in regions where white rice is the staple food.

The Impact of Refined Carbohydrates

Beyond just white rice, a diet heavy in other highly refined or processed carbohydrates is a major risk factor. These include white flour, white sugar, and various baked goods that are not fortified with vitamins. The processing of these foods removes the thiamine that would naturally be present in whole grains, contributing to a severe deficiency if these items form the bulk of one's diet. In developed countries, however, many cereals and grains are fortified with thiamine, making dietary-related beriberi less common.

Alcoholism and Thiamine Deficiency

In Western countries, chronic alcoholism is a primary cause of thiamine deficiency and beriberi. Alcohol affects the body's thiamine levels in several ways:

Poor Nutritional Intake: Individuals with alcohol use disorder often substitute alcohol for food, resulting in an inadequate dietary intake of thiamine.
Decreased Absorption: Alcohol directly interferes with the body's ability to absorb thiamine from the gastrointestinal tract.
Impaired Utilization: It reduces the liver's ability to store thiamine and inhibits the conversion of thiamine to its active coenzyme form.
Increased Loss: Chronic alcohol use can also lead to increased excretion of thiamine through the kidneys.

Comparing Diets: Risk vs. Prevention

To better understand the dietary implications, consider the following comparison:


Dietary Factor	Beriberi Risk	Prevention Strategy
Polished White Rice	High: Thiamine is stripped during processing.	Replace with brown rice or fortified grains.
Refined Carbohydrates	High: Lacks essential thiamine.	Choose whole grains, beans, and nuts.
Heavy Alcohol Consumption	High: Inhibits absorption and leads to poor nutrition.	Moderate alcohol intake and ensure thiamine supplementation.
Breastfeeding on a Deficient Diet	High (Infantile Beriberi): Insufficient thiamine passed through milk.	Mother must maintain a thiamine-rich diet or take supplements.
Balanced, Nutrient-Dense Diet	Low: Provides adequate thiamine from various sources.	Include whole grains, meat, and legumes.

Preventing Beriberi Through Diet

Preventing beriberi requires a conscious effort to consume a diet rich in thiamine. This is particularly crucial for at-risk populations, including those with chronic alcohol use, individuals on fad diets, and breastfeeding mothers in areas with food insecurity.

Here is a list of thiamine-rich foods to incorporate into your diet:

Whole Grains: Brown rice, whole wheat bread, and whole grain cereals are excellent sources.
Legumes: Beans, peas, lentils, and nuts provide ample thiamine.
Lean Meats and Fish: Pork, beef, and seafood contain significant amounts of vitamin B1.
Fortified Foods: Many breads, cereals, and flours in developed countries are fortified with thiamine.
Vegetables: Vegetables like asparagus, spinach, and beet greens also contribute to thiamine intake.

Conclusion

In summary, the diet that leads to beriberi is primarily one that lacks sufficient thiamine, an essential B vitamin. This is most frequently seen in populations that subsist on unenriched, polished white rice and among individuals with chronic alcoholism. A diet consisting largely of other refined carbohydrates can also be a contributing factor. For effective prevention, it is crucial to ensure adequate thiamine intake, either through a balanced diet rich in whole grains, legumes, and lean proteins, or through fortified foods and supplementation, especially for those at higher risk. With proper nutritional awareness, beriberi is a preventable condition.

Medical News Today provides additional information on the causes, symptoms, and treatment of beriberi.

Frequently Asked Questions

The single biggest dietary cause of beriberi is a diet consisting almost exclusively of polished or milled white rice, as the thiamine is removed during processing.

Yes, chronic alcoholism is a major cause of beriberi, especially in developed countries. It leads to poor nutrition and severely impairs the body's ability to absorb and utilize thiamine.

Yes, a diet high in processed carbohydrates like white flour and white sugar can lead to beriberi, as these foods often lack the thiamine found in their whole grain counterparts.

To prevent beriberi, eat a balanced diet that includes thiamine-rich foods such as whole grains, legumes, nuts, meat, and fish. Opt for brown rice instead of white, and choose fortified cereals and breads.

While it is rare in countries with food fortification programs, beriberi remains a risk for populations relying on thiamine-poor staple foods, individuals with alcohol use disorder, those with malabsorption issues, and breastfeeding infants of deficient mothers.

The body's limited thiamine stores can be depleted in a relatively short time, potentially within just 2 to 3 weeks of inadequate intake.

Both wet and dry beriberi result from a diet deficient in thiamine. The primary difference lies in the body systems affected; wet beriberi impacts the cardiovascular system, while dry beriberi damages the nervous system.