As scientific research continues to evolve globally, our understanding of naturally occurring compounds, such as 1-Methylnicotinamide (1-MNA), expands across cultures and disciplines. However, translation errors can sometimes lead to misinformation. One question we often receive is: How much natural 1-MNA is found in food? Given the confusion, we want to clarify the facts.
Original Research and Accurate 1-MNA Content
The foundational research on 1-MNA content in foods was conducted by Japanese scientists Taguchi Hiroshi, Sakaguchi Muneto, and Shimabayashi Yoshihide in their study:
“The Contents of Chinolinic Acid, Trigonelline and also N1-Methylnicotinamide in Various Food Products, and also the Thermal Transformation of Them into Nicotinic Acid and Nicotinamide.”
According to their findings, the highest concentrations of 1-MNA (measured in mg per 100 g of edible portion) were found in the following foods:
Foods with Measurable 1-MNA Content
|
Food Item |
1-MNA Content (mg/100 g) |
|
Wakame (dried seaweed) |
3.2 |
|
Green tea leaves |
3.0 |
|
Poultry stomachs |
2.4 |
|
Celery |
1.6 |
Source: 1-MNA Content in Various Foods
UK Government Confirmation
The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) also verified the 1-MNA content in food, confirming and expanding upon the Japanese findings:
|
Food |
1-MNA Content (mg/100 g) |
|
Wakame seaweed |
3.2 |
|
Leaves of green tea |
3.0 |
|
Poultry stomachs |
2.4 |
|
Celery |
1.6 |
|
Chinese black mushroom |
1.3 |
|
Sea urchin |
1.1 |
|
Greater sand eel |
1.1 |
|
Natto (fermented soybeans) |
1.0 |
Source: UK FSA Report
Why the Confusion? A Critical Translation Error
During the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) evaluation of 1-MNA, the Japanese data was mistakenly reported as mg per gram (mg/g) rather than the correct mg per 100 grams (mg/100 g). This translation error exaggerated the reported 1-MNA content by a factor of 100, resulting in several articles and product claims falsely stating that certain foods contain vastly higher amounts of 1-MNA than they actually do.
Here is the excerpt from the EFSA report containing the error:
“The applicant reported that 1‐MNA can be obtained from dietary sources, such as wakame (edible seaweed), leaves of green tea, poultry stomach and celery (3.2, 3.0, 2.4 and 1.6 mg/g, respectively) (Taguchi et al., 1986). The Panel considers that the intake from dietary sources is low and that most of the systemic exposure to 1‐MNA derives endogenously from metabolism of niacin.”
— EFSA Journal, 2020
Corrected Comparison Table
|
Food |
EFSA Reported (mg/g) |
Equivalent per 100 g (mg/100 g, inflated) |
Actual Value (mg/100 g) |
|
Wakame seaweed |
3.2 |
320 |
3.2 |
|
Green tea leaves |
3.0 |
300 |
3.0 |
|
Poultry stomachs |
2.4 |
240 |
2.4 |
|
Celery |
1.6 |
160 |
1.6 |
This correction is essential to prevent the spread of nutritional misinformation and ensure accurate understanding of dietary 1-MNA intake.
How does this information apply to Endotelio 1-MNA?
Endotelio 1-MNA is a dietary supplement that provides a standardized 58 mg dose of 1-Methylnicotinamide (1-MNA) per serving. For individuals seeking consistent and efficient intake of 1-MNA without relying on large volumes of specific foods, this supplement offers a practical alternative.
To understand the significance of this dose, the table below compares how much of each naturally rich food source would be required to match 58 mg of 1-MNA:
How Much Food to Equal One Serving of Endotelio 1-MNA (58 mg)
|
Food Item |
1-MNA Content (mg/100 g) |
Food Needed to Equal 58 mg (g) |
|
Wakame seaweed |
3.2 |
1,812 g (1.81 kg) |
|
Green tea leaves |
3.0 |
1,933 g (1.93 kg) |
|
Poultry stomachs |
2.4 |
2,417 g (2.42 kg) |
|
Celery |
1.6 |
3,625 g (3.63 kg) |
|
Chinese black mushroom |
1.3 |
4,462 g (4.46 kg) |
|
Sea urchin |
1.1 |
5,273 g (5.27 kg) |
|
Greater sand eel |
1.1 |
5,273 g (5.27 kg) |
|
Natto (fermented soybeans) |
1.0 |
5,800 g (5.80 kg) |
As shown, achieving the 58 mg dose of 1-MNA found in Endotelio through food alone would require consuming 1.8 to 5.8 kilograms of specific high-1-MNA foods—an amount that is typically impractical for daily consumption. Endotelio 1-MNA provides a reliable and concentrated alternative for those seeking to supplement their intake.