Identify one difference between water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins.

Water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin C and the B vitamins, play essential roles in numerous bodily functions, including energy production and cellular metabolism. One key characteristic of these vitamins is that they are not stored in the body in significant amounts. Instead, any excess is typically excreted through urine, which means that these vitamins need to be consumed regularly in the diet to maintain adequate levels.

In contrast, fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, can be stored in the liver and fatty tissues. This ability to store fat-soluble vitamins allows the body to maintain a reserve that can be utilized when dietary intake is insufficient. Understanding this fundamental difference is crucial in nutritional science because it impacts dietary recommendations and the potential for toxicity: excessive intake of fat-soluble vitamins can lead to hypervitaminosis, while water-soluble vitamins are generally considered safer due to their rapid excretion.

Thus, the assertion that water-soluble vitamins are not stored in the body is a defining difference between water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins and is essential for understanding their metabolism and dietary needs.