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
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