Curious Cook: Optimum nutrients for health

Vitamin B12 is present only in fish, meat, poultry, dairy and eggs so vegetarians and vegans may need supplements to get enough of this nutrient. — DANA TENTIS/Pexels

We are all aware about how important a balanced diet is for health, especially for ensuring that our immune systems are properly primed against diseases such as Covid-19. However, maintaining a balanced diet may not be as straightforward as one might think. It is not just a matter of ingesting vitamins and minerals, but it is important to consume them in a manner which maximises the availability of such nutrients to the body.

Vitamins are soluble in either fats or water, and this is important for the digestion and absorption of such nutrients.