What is the Difference between Vitamins and Minerals?

When it comes to taking balanced diet, it always emphasized that vitamins and minerals are important in human diet. 

They are both categorised as Micronutrients, but are actually different in a number of ways. It would be necessary to keep ourselves reminded that micronutrients are needed in small quantities but are highly necessary to our bodily growth, processes and maintenance. Micronutrients however shouldn’t be consumed in excess, as they might cause more harm than good when taken in excess.

So let’s begin by relating what Vitamins are;

Vitamins are organic substances needed in minute quantities for growth and for maintaining good health. They are obtained from plants and animals. They are broadly classified into two categories:

• Fat Soluble Vitamins (Vitamin A, D, E and K)

• Water Soluble Vitamins (Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12 and C)

Vitamins generally can be easily destroyed by heat, light and chemical agents. This makes them require less exposure to cooking or harsh food processing techniques. Vitamins play a significant role in immune and nervous system functioning, repairing and healing wounds, developing red blood cells, and growth and development by releasing energy from food. They also keep our eyes, lungs, skin, hair, bones, tissues and gastrointestinal tract functioning well. 

Now to Minerals;

Minerals on the other hand are inorganic substances needed for bodily maintenance. They originate in the earth. Because they are inorganic in nature, they are generally more stable than vitamins and can withstand a greater measure of exposure to heat and light compared to vitamins.

They are broadly classified into two categories likewise: 

• Essential Minerals 

• Trace Minerals

Essential minerals are required in higher quantities than trace minerals. Trace minerals are required in very much minute amounts. Essential minerals include sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and sulphur. Trace minerals include iron, zinc, iodine, selenium, copper, manganese, fluoride, chromium, molybdenum. 

Trust you can now specify the differences between vitamins and minerals. Thanks for reading. 

Article By: 

Oluwadurotimi Okediji

Food, Nutrients and Health

For other related articles, visit our blog 

www.thefoodlegends.blogspot.com

References 

Minerals: Their Functions and Sources | Michigan Medicine (uofmhealth.org)

What's the difference between vitamins and minerals? | Go Ask Alice! (columbia.edu)

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