Vitamin B6, also sometimes called pyridoxine, is a vitamin that is essential to maintain proper functioning of the body. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Vitamin B6 increases the amount of oxygen that the hemoglobin in your blood carries so that you have plenty of energy and you don't become anemic. While B6 is available for purchase in supplement form, it's easier and less expensive to get your B6 naturally by eating healthy foods.
Potatoes
According to the NIH, potatoes are a natural source of Vitamin B6, especially if the skin of the potato is eaten. The NIH states that a medium-sized baked potato with the skin on has about .7mg of Vitamin B6, which is 35 percent of most adults' daily recommended intake of B6. Try topping a baked potato with chili or sour cream and chives for a quick and nutritious lunch.
Bananas
Bananas are another good source of Vitamin B6. Experts at the NIH state that a medium sized banana has about .68 mg of Vitamin B6, which is about 34 percent of most people's daily recommended intake for B6. Bananas make an excellent snack or dessert and can be added to cereal or oatmeal in the morning for breakfast.
Yellowfin Tuna
A 4 oz. fillet of yellowfin tuna has 1.18 mg of Vitamin B6, which is over 59 percent of the amount of Vitamin B6 that you should be eating each day, according to the World's Healthiest Foods website. Try replacing chicken or beef with a broiled fillet of yellowfin tuna once a week to increase your Vitamin B6 intake.
Bell Peppers
The World's Healthiest Foods website recommends eating bell peppers if you are looking to increase your Vitamin B6 intake. One cup of sliced, raw, red bell pepper contains .23 mg of Vitamin B6, according to World's Healthiest Foods. The website rates bell peppers as an excellent source of vitamin B6 because a cup of bell pepper slices has 11.5 percent of your daily recommended intake of vitamin B6, with only 25 calories.
Garlic
A single ounce of garlic contains over 15 percent of most adult's recommended daily intake for Vitamin B6, according to World's Healthiest Foods. Using fresh garlic provides more Vitamin B6 than powdered garlic does. Since every ounce of fresh garlic has .35 mg of Vitamin B6, adding fresh garlic to soups and casseroles or on top of pasta will help you get your Vitamin B6 levels up, while adding spice and flavor.
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