Skip the DEET, the Deep Woods Off, and all the other toxic bug repellents, at least as far as avoiding mosquitoes goes. At least, that’s what some folks say. They say to bulk up on thiamin, which is also known as Vitamin B1.
Since DEET can cause skin cancer, it’s best to avoid it completely, although it does effectively repel both mosquitoes and ticks.
Vitamin B1 comes in many good-for-you foods, and here’s a handy list, including some favorite summer fruits:
Foods Rich in Vitamin B1
- Wheat Germ – it’s off the charts filled with thiamin (Vit B1)
- Whole grain cereals
- Legumes (e.g., beans and lentils)
- Nuts – pecans, brazil nuts,
- Lean pork
- Yeast
- Peas
- Oranges
- Cantaloupe
- Watermelon
- Sunflower seeds
- Acorn Squash
- Potato
- Broccoli
Things to avoid:
- Lay off the alcohol! It’s the number 1 biggest diminisher of thiamin in the body, according to the Oregon State Nutrition Center.
- White rice – most of the thiamin is in the brown, outer coating.
- White flour – same reason as white rice.
Dietary Information Sources:
- Oregon State Nutrition Center
- University of Michigan, Integrative Medicine
- UC Davis