The difference between vitamins and minerals lies primarily in their origin and chemical nature. Vitamins are organic compounds made by plants and animals, while minerals are inorganic elements that come from the soil and water, absorbed by plants or eaten by animals. Vitamins can be broken down by heat, air, or acid, making them more delicate, whereas minerals hold their chemical structure even when exposed to such conditions. Both are essential micronutrients needed by the body for various functions, but vitamins are carbon-based compounds, and minerals are elemental substances.
Origins and Chemical Properties
- Vitamins: Organic substances produced by living organisms.
- Minerals: Inorganic elements sourced from soil, water, and rocks.
Stability
- Vitamins: Can be degraded by cooking, air, or storage.
- Minerals: Chemically stable and not broken down by heat or acid.
Function and Sources
- Both vitamins and minerals support critical bodily functions such as bone health, immune support, enzyme function, and fluid balance.
- Vitamins come directly from plants and animals.
- Minerals are obtained through plants that absorb them from soil or water or animals that eat these plants.
This distinction highlights that while both are essential nutrients, they differ fundamentally in their origin and their chemical nature.