Scurvy in sailors

Water Soluble Vitamins

Thiamin

What it does:

  • helps convert the food we eat to the energy we need

Foods that have thiamin:

  • spinach, tomato juice, watermelon, sunflower seeds, ham

Deficiency problems:

  • weakness, tingling in feet and hands, poor coordination
Thiamin

Riboflavin - named for its yellow color (flavus means yellow in Latin)

What it does:

  • helps convert the food we eat to the energy we need

Foods that have riboflavin:

  • milk, cheese, liver, broccoli, asparagus, spinach

Deficiency problems:

  • eye disorders, cracks at corners of mouth, swollen tongue
riboflavin

Niacin

What it does:

  • helps our body use the fat and sugar we eat for energy
  • helps keep our skin healthy

Foods that have niacin:

  • mushrooms, tuna, green beans, broccoli, spinach, breakfast cereals

Deficiency problems:

  • diarrhea, skin problems, mental disorientation
niacin

Vitamin B6

What it does:

  • helps make red blood cells
  • helps our body use the fat and protein we eat for energy

Foods that have vitamin B6:

  • spinach, broccoli, tomato juice, banana, watermelon, chicken breast

Deficiency problems:

  • headache, convulsions, vomiting, flaky skin, sore tongue
b6

Folate

What it does:

  • helps to make new cells
  • helps prevent heart disease

Foods that have folate:

  • asparagus, broccoli, corn flakes, green beans, tomato juice, beans

Deficiency problems:

  • diarrhea, mental disorders, poor growth
folate

Vitamin B12

What it does:

  • helps to make new cells

Foods that have vitamin B12:

  • meat, fish, poultry, milk, cheese, eggs

Deficiency problems:

  • anemia, poor nerve function
b12

Biotin

What it does:

  • helps you get energy from carbohydrate foods
  • helps break down and use nutrients from food

Foods that have biotin:

  • most fresh vegetables, egg yolk, cereals, some breads

Deficiency problems:

  • tiredness, low appetite, anemia, vomiting, depression
folate



 

Pantothenic acid

What it does:

  • helps you get energy from foods
  • helps break down and use nutrients from food

Foods that have pantothenic acid:

  • whole grains, legumes, egg yolk, some meats, some vegetables

Deficiency problems:

  • rare but may include tiredness, anemia, vomiting, depression
niacin



 

Vitamin C- almost all animals make vitamin C in their bodies (only humans, guinea pigs, some bats, and some fish don't)

What it does:

  • protects cells from damage
  • helps keep bones and skin healthy
  • may help prevent cancer and heart disease

Foods that have vitamin C:

  • oranges, strawberries, peppers, kiwi, brussel sprouts, broccoli, spinach

Deficiency problems:

  • bleeding gums, tiredness, weakness, sore muscles
vitamin c

View Citation

You may need to edit author's name to meet the style formats, which are in most cases "Last name, First name."

Bibliographic details:

  • Article: Water Soluble Vitamins
  • Author(s): Corinne Corte
  • Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
  • Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
  • Date published: October 8, 2009
  • Date accessed: November 23, 2024
  • Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/content/water-soluble-vitamins

APA Style

Corinne Corte. (2009, October 08). Water Soluble Vitamins. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved November 23, 2024 from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/content/water-soluble-vitamins

American Psychological Association. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/

Chicago Manual of Style

Corinne Corte. "Water Soluble Vitamins". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 08 October, 2009. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/content/water-soluble-vitamins

MLA 2017 Style

Corinne Corte. "Water Soluble Vitamins". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 08 Oct 2009. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. 23 Nov 2024. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/content/water-soluble-vitamins

Modern Language Association, 7th Ed. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/
A close-up image of barley, an edible crop from the grass family
What is regenerative agriculture?

Be Part of
Ask A Biologist

By volunteering, or simply sending us feedback on the site. Scientists, teachers, writers, illustrators, and translators are all important to the program. If you are interested in helping with the website we have a Volunteers page to get the process started.

Donate icon  Contribute

Share this page:

 

Share to Google Classroom