An Overview about Beriberi Outbreaks in Brazilian and Portuguese Vincentian Institutions

Students and orphans from Brazilian and Portuguese Vincentian institutions suffered outbreaks of a unknown disease in the 19th century, today called Beriberi. Primary cause was malnutrition, but part of the students did not present Beriberi. Our aim was investigate the effect of malnutrition, as well as secondary factors (consumption of infusions, fasting and depression) in the etiology of Beriberi. Ingestion of thiamine (vitamin B1) in both Caraça school and Asylum D’Ajuda was 815 µg dia-1 and 844 µg dia-1, respectively. Intake of vitamin B1 was of 24 % to 46 % lower than that recommended by RDA. Consumption of infusions from Luxemburghia polyandra (congonha) and Camellia sinensis (black tea) rich in anti-thiamine polyphenols was responsible for degradation of above 25 % of vitamin B1. Prolonged religious fasting decreases food ingestion and it could aggravate hypovitaminosis. The harsh way of life in the Vincentian institutions may contribute to depression emergence in susceptible students going to causing food inappetence. In conclusion, malnutrition associated with consumption of infusion, religious fasting and depression could have triggered the Beriberi in part of the student body of both Caraça school and Asylum D'Ajuda.