Food Science Vitamins and minerals – what are they?

Learning objectives Describe the difference between minerals and vitamins Describe the difference between minerals and vitamins Understand why we need vitamins and minerals Understand why we need vitamins and minerals

Supplements Massive range available (at a price) Massive range available (at a price) Vitamins Vitamins Minerals Minerals Multivitamins Multivitamins Combination Combination Does your body really need these? Does your body really need these?

Vitamins ‘Vital’ for life, can’t live without them ‘Vital’ for life, can’t live without them Chemical compounds Chemical compounds Only tiny amounts needed Only tiny amounts needed 13 Different vitamins 13 Different vitamins Found in: Found in: Fruit Fruit Vegetables Vegetables We can only make 4 We can only make 4

Vitamin Use in the body Found in A Healthy eyesight, keeps mucous membrane free from infection Spinach and carrots B (group) Release of energy from carbohydrates and nerve function Liver, dark green veg, nuts C Immune system, skin, absorb iron Oranges, citrus fruits, green veg D Healthy teeth and bones, absorb calcium Oily fish and fortified milk/cereals E Cell structure and heart disease Oil, eggs, butter and cereals K Blood clotting Dark green veg

Solubility Some vitamins are fat soluble Some vitamins are fat soluble A, D, E and K A, D, E and K Stored in body fat and liver until needed Stored in body fat and liver until needed Some vitamins are water soluble Some vitamins are water soluble Use straight away Use straight away Passed in urine Passed in urine

Testing for Vitamin C

Minerals Chemical elements needed to keep you healthy Chemical elements needed to keep you healthy Maintain immune system Maintain immune system Helps cells and organs do their jobs Helps cells and organs do their jobs Transmitting nerve signals Transmitting nerve signals Producing hormones Producing hormones Found in: Found in: Fruit Fruit Vegetables Vegetables Need at least 20 Need at least 20

Mineral Use in the body Found in IronHaemoglobin Dark green veg, liver Phosphorus Release of energy from food Meats, fish and eggs Calcium Healthy teeth and bones Milk, dairy products Zinc Essential enzymes and healing wounds Meat, liver, seafood

How much do we need RDA – Recommended daily Allowance RDA – Recommended daily Allowance Different for each vitamin or mineral Different for each vitamin or mineral Dieticians say Dieticians say Best way to get vitamins and minerals is through a healthy balanced diet Best way to get vitamins and minerals is through a healthy balanced diet Should provide everything you need Should provide everything you need If diet is lacking If diet is lacking Vitamin/mineral deficiency Vitamin/mineral deficiency

Learning outcomes What’s the difference between minerals and vitamins? What’s the difference between minerals and vitamins? Why do we need vitamins and minerals? Why do we need vitamins and minerals? What do we call the amount we should get in our diet? What do we call the amount we should get in our diet?