New genetic research suggests a surprising connection between vitamin B1 (thiamine) intake and how frequently you… well, go to the bathroom. A large-scale study has identified genetic variants linked to thiamine metabolism that appear to directly influence gut motility—the rate at which food moves through your digestive tract.
The Unexpected Role of Thiamine
Researchers at the Basque Research & Technology Alliance in Spain analyzed data from over 260,000 people of European and East Asian descent. They weren’t specifically looking for a vitamin connection, but their genetic analysis kept pointing to vitamin B1 as a key regulator of stool frequency.
“Gut motility problems are central to conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and chronic constipation,” explains geneticist Mauro D’Amato. “Pinpointing the exact biological mechanisms has been incredibly difficult. These results give us concrete leads for further investigation.”
How Does Vitamin B1 Affect Your Gut?
The study identified two specific gene variants impacting thiamine activation and transport. Follow-up analysis involving nearly 100,000 participants in the UK Biobank revealed a strong correlation between dietary thiamine intake and stool frequency. Individuals with the identified gene variants exhibited particularly noticeable effects.
The implication is that vitamin B1 metabolism plays a direct role in controlling how quickly your gut processes food and eliminates waste. The vitamin is found in common foods like whole grains, meat, fish, and legumes, and is already known for converting food into energy. However, its gut-related functions are only beginning to be understood.
Beyond Stool Frequency: Potential for IBS Relief?
This isn’t just about how often you use the restroom. Previous research suggests vitamin B1 supplements may reduce gut inflammation, with a 2020 trial showing high-dose thiamine improved chronic fatigue symptoms in individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
The authors of the new study propose that personalized nutritional interventions—such as thiamine supplementation—could alleviate gut motility disorders and IBS in genetically susceptible individuals. The next step involves lab experiments and rigorously designed clinical trials to confirm these findings.
“These findings highlight the potential for a more targeted approach to managing gut health, where dietary adjustments or supplementation could be tailored based on an individual’s genetic makeup.”
The connection between thiamine and gut function is a growing field of study, but the initial results suggest that this often-overlooked vitamin may play a larger role in digestive health than previously thought.
