What did Umetaro Suzuki discover?

First in the world to discover "vitamins

During his research on rice, Umetaro succeeded in extracting a new nutritional ingredient contained in rice bran. He named it "oryzanin" and announced it as an unknown nutrient in 1910.

The following year, however, a Polish chemist named Hunk discovered the same nutrient and named it "vitamin" and announced its discovery. This one became more famous.
Although he was the godfather of vitamin, Umetaro Suzuki's achievement as the world's first discoverer of vitamin is unquestionable.

Umetaro Suzuki
Umetaro Suzuki
1874-1943
Agricultural chemist

December 13 is "Vitamin Day December 13th is "Vitamin Day" because it is the day that Umetaro (Umeitaro) announced the discovery of vitamin B1.
This day was established in the hope that everyone will think about the importance of vitamins and other nutrients, eat a well-balanced diet, and live a long and healthy life.

How did Umetaro discover vitamins?

Umetaro studied proteins and amino acids at the University of Berlin, Germany, for about two years. When he returned to Japan, he was advised by a professor at the University of Berlin to "research something that is unique to Asia.
Thus, Umetaro decided to research rice, a specialty and staple food of Japan.
After returning to Japan, Umetaro immediately began his research on rice and discovered oryzanine (vitamin B1), which made his name engraved in the history books.

Umetaro, the ultimate lover of learning Umetaro was born in Shizuoka Prefecture and came to Tokyo alone when he was 15 years old. He was so eager to study that he left home without his parents' permission.
Although he was away from his parents and had no money, he devoted himself to his favorite study and graduated from Tokyo Imperial University (later to become the University of Tokyo) with top grades in agriculture.

What happened as a result of the discovery of vitamins?

During the Edo period (1603-1867), Japanese people suffered from "beriberi" (beriberi). It is a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin B1, which leads to numbness and lethargy in the hands and feet. It is not uncommon for patients to die if the disease worsens.
The cause of beriberi was dietary habits. In the Edo period (1603-1867), people began to eat white rice, which led to a lack of vitamin B1 contained in rice bran.
The discovery of the vitamin by Umetaro Umeda greatly reduced the incidence of beriberi, which had plagued the Japanese people.

The term "mikka-bozu," or "a monk for three days," was born from the word "mikka," which means "a person who suffers from beriberi," or beriberi! Many people suffered from beriberi, especially children, who could die within a few days of contracting the disease, and were therefore also called "mikka-bozu.
The term "mikka-bozu" is now used as an analogy for a person who is apt to give up and does not last long in anything, but it is thought to have originated from the word "kakke" (a condition in which a person is lethargic).