Turkey is a lean protein food that contains a trace of the saturated fat of beef and is even leaner than skinless chicken. While November is month when the most turkey is consumed in the U.S., its wonderful flavor and nutritive value make it a healthy choice year-round. This nutrient rich food contains some minerals, in addition to some vitamins.
B2 or Riboflavin
A 4-oz. portion of roasted turkey breast provides some vitamin B2, approximately 0.15mg, or nearly 9 percent of the recommended daily value, or DV, for this essential nutrient, according to The World's Healthiest Foods website. Riboflavin plays an important role in the metabolism of energy; or the major nutrients fats, proteins and carbohydrates. It promotes regular growth and development and is needed to release energy from foods. In addition, riboflavin aids in the maintenance of mucus membranes, eyes, skin and nervous system, according to the National Institutes of Health.
B3 or Niacin
Turkey is rich in vitamin B3 or niacin. According to ELook.org, a 3 1/2-oz. portion of roasted light meat turkey provides 6.8mg, meeting just over one-third of the DV. Like all B vitamins, niacin is important for proper nervous system function and energy metabolism. Niacin plays a critical role in the processing of fats in the body. According to the Linus Pauling Institute for Micronutrient Research, niacin is required for the synthesis and maintenance of fat-containing structures in the body, such as cell membranes and fat-based hormones. Niacin also plays a role in synthesizing cholesterol in the liver and forming the components of your cells' genetic material; DNA.
B6 or Pyridoxine
A 3 1/2-oz. serving of roasted light meat turkey breast provides 0.54mg of vitamin B6, or roughly 27 percent of the DV for this nutrient. Vitamin B6, like other B vitamins, is necessary for energy metabolism, particularly protein metabolism and synthesis. Vitamin B6 supports a healthy nervous system and is used to synthesize red blood cells as well as brain chemical messengers, or neurotransmitters, which regulate bodily functions, such as mood, behavior, sleep and appetite. Vitamin B6 helps to keep blood sugar levels steady as it is required for breaking down stored energy, known as glycogen in the liver and muscles, into readily usable energy for cells, or glucose, in the bloodstream.
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