Scientific cognition rational purchase of vitamin foods

At present, there are many types of vitamin health foods and common foods with added vitamins on the market, and consumers are often at a loss when purchasing
.
In order to help consumers scientifically recognize and rationally purchase vitamin foods, the Chinese Society of Food Science and Technology recently issued consumption tips
.

What are vitamins

Vitamins, also known as vitamins, refer to a small amount of small molecule organic compounds
that are necessary for maintaining normal life activities of the human body, but cannot be synthesized in the body or the speed and amount of synthesis cannot meet the needs, and must be ingested by the outside world.

There are many types of vitamins, and their physiological functions are also different
.
Generally, vitamins are divided into two categories
: fat-soluble and water-soluble.
Among them, fat-soluble vitamins mainly include vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E and vitamin K
.
Water-soluble vitamins mainly include B vitamins (VB1, VB2, niacin, VB6, VB12, folic acid, pantothenic acid, biotin, choline, etc.
) and vitamin C
.
Most of the natural vitamins come from animal or plant foods
.
When consumers do not consume enough vitamins from their diet, they need additional supplements to meet their nutritional health needs
.

Are vitamins a health food ingredient?

Vitamins are raw materials for health foods, mainly as nutrient supplements
.
Some vitamins can also be used in ordinary foods, such as when used as food additives, they must meet the requirements of
GB2760-2014 "Food Additive Use Standards".
For some substances that are both food additives and nutritional enhancers, such as vitamin B2, vitamin C, vitamin E, etc.
, the relevant standards
need to be implemented separately according to the purpose of use.

What is the difference between health food and ordinary food with added vitamins

Health foods with added vitamins are not comparable to ordinary foods with added vitamins because they are added for different
purposes.

The vitamins added to health food are mainly to supplement the lack of dietary intake, have a clear dose-response relationship and suitable for the population, and can claim their unique health care functions
.
The vitamins added to ordinary foods are used as nutritional enhancers or food additives, and the main purpose is to improve the nutritional content, physical or chemical properties of food, but does not involve health functions
.
According to the Food Safety Law, it is illegal for ordinary food to claim health functions
.
In addition, compared with ordinary food, health food and other functional claims are strictly verified by experiments, have a rigorous scientific basis, and their supervision is stricter than ordinary food
.

Scientific purchase of vitamin health foods

First of all, we must scientifically understand vitamin health foods
.
Health food is not a medicine and cannot replace the treatment of diseases
.
Consumers can identify health foods
from the "blue hat" logo and approval number on the packaging.

Secondly, choose suitable health food
according to your own nutritional needs.
Due to the decrease in the activation of vitamin D and the reduced sensitivity of vitamin D receptors, the recommended dietary intake of vitamin D will be higher than that of ordinary adults
.
Women need additional supplementation of folic acid during pregnancy and pregnancy
.
At the same time, the demand for vitamins can also refer to the physical examination data
.

Finally, consumers should grasp the principle of
moderation, timing and moderation.
Whether it is water-soluble vitamins or fat-soluble vitamins, not more is better, when the specified limit of vitamins (the maximum intake can be tolerated), it may bring health risks, and you should follow the consumption amount and eating method instructions on the health food packaging when eating
.

(Edited by Li Chuang)