Vitamin B1 – Uses, Benefits, Sources and Dosage Vitamin B1 (thiamine) is named as “thio-vitamine”. It is a vitamin of the B-complex Vitamin and is water soluble and is one of the essential nutrient for the human body. It is named as vitamin B1 because it was the first B vitamin discovered. It is needed by our bodies in order to use carbohydrates properly. Benefits of Vitamin B1 Vitamin B1 acts as a coenzyme, and activates the enzymes and proteins