What is a characteristic of water soluble vitamins?

Water soluble vitamins, which include the B-vitamins and vitamin C, have a unique profile compared to fat-soluble vitamins. One of their key characteristics is that they are less likely to accumulate in the body and are therefore considered to be less toxic. This means that while they are essential for various bodily functions, excess amounts are typically excreted through urine rather than stored.

This characteristic reduces the risk of toxicity, allowing for higher intakes of these vitamins, especially from food sources. Unlike fat-soluble vitamins, which can accumulate in the liver and fatty tissues (potentially leading to toxicity when consumed in excess), water-soluble vitamins are regularly depleted from the body and need to be consumed more frequently through diet to maintain appropriate levels.