Tag: Water soluble nutrients

Spirulina is a powerhouse of nutrients, with protein accounting for 50-70% of its dry weight, but answering whether spirulina is a water or fat soluble food requires a closer look at its various components. Instead of being exclusively one or the other, this blue-green algae is a complex source of both water-soluble and fat-soluble compounds, each with unique properties and health benefits.

Studies have shown that boiling vegetables can cause a loss of up to 50% or more of heat-sensitive vitamin C. One primary way water soluble nutrients are lost during food preparation is through the process of leaching when foods are boiled.

According to a study published on Healthline, boiling can reduce vitamin C content in vegetables like broccoli and spinach by 50% or more. This nutrient leaching is one of the primary disadvantages of boiled vegetables, impacting their nutritional value, flavor, and texture.

After eating, the body's small intestine absorbs most nutrients, including specific compounds that dissolve in water. This critical process directs **what is water-soluble and transported to the liver after being absorbed into the blood** through a dedicated circulatory route called the hepatic portal system. This allows the liver to act as a central processing plant before these substances circulate to the rest of the body.

Approximately 90% of all nutrient absorption happens in the small intestine, where a vast network of capillaries and other structures facilitates the uptake of essential molecules. Understanding what nutrients are absorbed by capillaries is a fundamental step toward knowing how your body extracts and distributes fuel from the food you eat.

The human small intestine, despite its name, is a lengthy organ measuring up to 22 feet long, where most nutrient absorption occurs. Once food is broken down into absorbable components, the critical question becomes: where are the nutrients sent from this hub to fuel the entire body?

The human body requires a continuous supply of water-soluble nutrients, including all B-vitamins and vitamin C, to function correctly. These essential molecules must navigate a specific and efficient pathway after digestion, but where do water-soluble nutrients go after absorption to ensure they are delivered where needed? This article details their journey.