Which vitamins are water soluble?

• A. Vitamins A and D are water soluble.
• B. Vitamins B and C are water soluble.
• C. Vitamins D and E are water soluble.
• D. All vitamins are water soluble.

Answer: (B)

Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water and are not stored in the body in significant amounts, so they must be eaten regularly. The vitamins in this group are the B vitamins (a whole B complex) and vitamin C.

They’re absorbed from the gut and travel in the bloodstream, and any excess is removed by the kidneys and excreted in urine. Because the body doesn’t hold onto them, a regular intake is important, but there’s typically a lower risk of toxicity from everyday amounts (though very high supplement doses can cause issues).

In contrast, fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) are stored in fat tissue and the liver and are absorbed with dietary fats, which is why they can accumulate if taken in excess. That difference is why the statement listing B and C as water-soluble is correct.