Vitamins vs. Minerals
Vitamins and minerals are both essential nutrients, but they have some key differences:
Chemical Composition:
Vitamins are organic compounds, meaning they are made by plants and animals. They can be broken down by heat, air, or acid.
Minerals are inorganic elements that come from soil and water. They retain their chemical structure and are not broken down by heat or air.
Sources:
Vitamins are obtained from plants and animals. For example, vitamin C is found in fruits and vegetables, while vitamin D can be synthesized by the body when exposed to sunlight.
Minerals are absorbed by plants from the soil and water. We get minerals by consuming plants or animals that have eaten plants.
Types:
Vitamins can be water-soluble (e.g., vitamin C, B vitamins) or fat-soluble (e.g., vitamins A, D, E, K). Water-soluble vitamins need to be consumed regularly as they are not stored in the body, while fat-soluble vitamins can be stored in the body’s fatty tissues.
Minerals are categorized into macro minerals (needed in larger amounts, like calcium and magnesium) and trace minerals (needed in smaller amounts, like iron and zinc).
Functions:
Vitamins help release energy from food, develop red blood cells, aid in blood clotting, and maintain healthy skin, eyes, and hair.
Minerals are crucial for bone and tooth formation, muscle contraction, blood coagulation, and maintaining the acid-alkaline balance in the blood.
Stability:
Vitamins are more delicate and can be destroyed by heat, light, and chemical agents during cooking or storage.
Minerals are more stable and are not affected by heat or chemical reactions.
Both vitamins and minerals are vital for maintaining good health, but they play different roles and are sourced differently.
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