IMPORTANCE OF VITAMINS, MINERAL SALTS, ROUGHAGE AND WATER IN HUMAN NUTRITION VITAMINS

These are organic compounds that are essential for proper growth, development and functioning of the body.  Vitamins are required in very small quantities

They are not stored and must be included in the diet

Vitamins Band C are soluble in water, the rest are soluble in fat

Various vitamins are used in different ways

 

Mineral Salts

• Mineral ions are needed in the human body
• Some are needed in small amounts while others are needed in very small amounts (trace)
• All are vital to human health
• Nevertheless, their absence results in noticeable mulfunction of the body processes

 

Water

• Water is a constituent of blood and intercellular fluid
• It is also a constituent of cytoplasm
• Water makes up to 60-70% of total fresh weight in humans
• No life can exist without water

 

Functions of Water

• Acts as a medium in which chemical reactions in the body takes place
• Acts as a solvent and it is used to transport materials within the body
• Acts as a coolant due to its high latent heat of vaporisation
• Hence, evaporation of sweat lowers body temperature
• Takes part in chemical reactions i.e. hydrolysis

 

Vitamins, sources, uses and the deficiency disease resulting from their absence in diet

Functions of Water

• Acts as a medium in which chemical reactions in the body takes place
• Acts as a solvent and it is used to transport materials within the body
• Acts as a coolant due to its high latent heat of vaporisation

Hence, evaporation of sweat lowers body temperature

• Takes part in chemical reactions ie hydrolysis

 

Vitamins, sources, uses and the deficiency disease resulting from their absence in diet

Roughage

• Roughage is dietary fibre and it consists mainly of cellulose
• It adds bulk to the food and provides grip for the gut muscles to enhance peristalsis
• Roughage does not provide any nutritional value because humans and all animals not produce cellulase enzyme to digest cellulose
• In herbivores symbiotic bacteria in the gut produce cellulase that digests cellulose

 

Also See

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM AND DIGESTION IN HUMANS

TYPES OF MAMMALIAN TEETH

HETEROTROPHISM

ENZYMES

POLYSACCHARIDES