What are vitamins and minerals for and why are they so important for our body? Discover with us what are the foods rich in vitamin B, vitamin C, D, E, K and others, and all the benefits they bring.
Taking foods rich in vitamins and minerals is essential to feel better about ourselves and feel stronger. In fact, vitamins are essential for our well-being and, as well as mineral salts, they must be taken through food because our body is not able to produce them in autonomy. A lack of these nutrients can lead to serious health problems.
Vitamins serve our body first of all to regulate cellular function, that is, the constant work of transforming substances into energy, the same that we need to give our best and face the many challenges of the day. Every aspect of our body as a result, it is in some way connected with vitamins, which also boost the immune system, help repair damaged cells, regenerate bone tissue and maintain hormonal balance.
Vitamins, as if this were not enough, guarantee the proper functioning of the nervous system, enhance vision and intervene in the process of transformation of fats, sugars, and proteins. They can be divided into two large groups: water-soluble vitamins (which dissolve in water), such as vitamin C and those of group B; v Fat-soluble vitamin (which dissolves in fats) and accumulates in the liver, such as vitamins A, D, E and K.
All these vitamins, as well as mineral salts, have a fundamental importance to help us to feel stronger, each bringing different benefits: let’s discover them together, and we also see which foods are richer in these vitamins.
Vitamin B and vitamin D: what are their benefits and where to find them
The vitamin B group is essential to guarantee energy to our body. Vitamin B3, also known as Niacin, plays a very important role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. It has the ability to reduce cholesterol in the blood by improving circulation and helps the functioning of the nervous system. The lack of this vitamin makes you feel drained and without strength.
The B12 , however, gives you vitality and plays an important role in DNA synthesis and hemoglobin, also helping to prevent the risk of disease. B9 also belongs to group B, more commonly known as a folic acid: this substance is fundamental for our body to be able to produce new cells. It also helps the proper functioning of the brain and is very important in pregnancy to prevent malformations in the child. Often the lack of folic acid causes problems of anemia or insomnia. The vitamin D instead plays a leading role in helping the immune system of our body, taking away the diseases. Helps to prevent bone problems (from childhood rickets to osteoporosis) by regulating calcium metabolism, promotes the proper functioning of the nervous system and the cardiovascular system.
We can find these vitamins in what we eat, starting with breakfast. For example in the range of Special K cereal flakes (classic – red fruits – dark chocolate) and the Special K nutri-mi 
line (dried fruit and seeds and berries) you can find: vitamin D that helps your immune defenses , the niacin (B3) that contributes to your energy, the vitamin B12 that contributes to your vitality *. All the nutrients contained in the Special K products help to strengthen all that we are, to give us the energy we need to be the best version of ourselves. In addition to providing what we need to better face our day and start off on the right foot, it is also a delicious and full of tasty breakfast.
The benefits of mineral salts
The mineral salts makeup about 6% of the weight of our body and make metabolic processes possible. If an imbalance of mineral salts is produced, both the muscular and nervous systems are affected and you will immediately feel tired and without strength.
Taking mineral salts is essential to maintain the acid-base balance of our body, but not only this: salts have an important role in the constitution of the body structure, play an active part in cellular transmission to promote relaxation and contraction of muscles or the passage of nerve stimuli, are contained in important substances such as hormones and hemoglobin .
Iron, in particular, is essential for our body: it is used to produce the hemoglobin that allows cellular respiration, as well as myoglobin, which fixes oxygen in the muscles. It then allows the functioning of different enzymes and proteins.
Even the iron is contained in the Special K line of cereals, perfect to help your physical endurance and face the challenges of every day.
Foods rich in vitamin C and vitamin E and their functions
The Vitamin C is known for its function of strengthening the immune system, as well as for its antioxidants. Taking the right amount of this vitamin helps our body produce red blood cells, facilitates the absorption of iron, strengthens muscles and bones. Vitamin C deficiency can lead to problems with anemia, as well as loss of nosebleeds or slow scarring.
The vitamin E, however, has antioxidant properties known and fights to an age of tissues. It also facilitates concentration and gives strength and energy.
Among the foods rich in vitamin C you will find lots of fruit and vegetables, better if consumed raw, from citrus to peppers (browse the album below to discover them all!). They are rich instead of vitamin E seeds, dried fruit and vegetable oils.
The benefits of foods rich in vitamin A and vitamin K
Although the vitamin A has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Assuming it in abundance is good for sight . It also counteracts free radicals and helps cells regenerate, with excellent results for tissue health.
Finally, vitamin K has anti-hemorrhagic properties: its function is to coagulate the blood. A deficiency of vitamin K can lead to hemorrhagic syndromes, as well as dysfunctions of the intestinal tract.
If vitamin A is abundantly found in foods such as milk, eggs, and carrots, vitamin K is mainly found in green leafy vegetables.
* A portion of Special K and Special K Flakes Nutri-Mi contains> 15% of the Vitamin D Reference Nutrient Values that contributes to the normal function of the immune system, niacin (B3) and vitamin B12 which contribute to normal energy metabolism and iron which contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. A portion of Special K and Special K Nutri-Mi flakes also contains> 15% of the Nutrient Reference Values of vitamins B1, B2, B6 and folic acid, and only in Special K flakes, zinc. Enjoy them as part of a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.