Contextualization

Introduction

Vitamins and minerals are fundamental chemical substances for the correct functioning of our body. They participate in practically all metabolic processes that occur in our body, such as the synthesis of molecules, strengthening the immune system, maintaining mental health, among many others.

Vitamins are divided into two groups: fat-soluble (A, D, E, and K), which are absorbed along with dietary fats and stored in the liver and adipose tissues; and water-soluble (B complex and C), which are absorbed in water and rapidly eliminated from the body, requiring daily intake. With the exception of vitamin D, our body is not able to produce them, so we must obtain these nutrients through diet or supplementation.

Minerals are ions that, when in balance, can bring numerous health benefits, such as maintaining bodily systems, forming bones and teeth, conducting nerve impulses, and balancing the body's pH. The excess or deficiency of minerals can lead to various diseases.

Relevance and Real-World Application

A proper functioning of the human body depends directly on a diversified set of vitamins and minerals. For example, vitamin C is notorious for its ability to fight colds and flu, strengthening the immune system. Similarly, calcium is essential for bone and teeth health. The lack or excess of these and other nutrients can cause numerous diseases, emphasizing the importance of a balanced diet.

On a global level, many people suffer from malnutrition not due to lack of food, but because of a diet poor in essential vitamins and minerals. Furthermore, knowledge about the importance of these nutrients can be applied in various health areas, such as preventive medicine, sports nutrition, and healthy cooking.

Practical Activity

Title: "Investigating Vitamins and Minerals: From Theory to Practice"

Project Objective

This project aims to offer students a practical and detailed view of vitamins and minerals, making them able to perceive the importance of these nutrients for our health and understand the effects of their deficiency or excess. Additionally, it aims to develop research, analysis, and information synthesis skills, teamwork, time management, and effective communication.

Detailed Project Description

The project will be carried out by groups of 3 to 5 students and will have a minimum duration of 12 hours per participating student. It will be divided into 4 stages: theoretical research, the creation of a "Balanced Menu," a practical experiment, and the elaboration of a final report.

1. Theoretical Research: Each group must deeply research vitamins and minerals. The research should address, at least, the following topics:

   • Definition of vitamins and minerals.
   • Classification of different types of vitamins and minerals.
   • Food sources rich in each of the vitamins and minerals.
   • Functions of these nutrients in the human body.
   • Consequences of the deficiency and excess of each nutrient.

2. Balanced Menu: Based on the theoretical research, the groups must create a "Balanced Menu" for a day, considering all meals (breakfast, mid-morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner, and supper). The menu should be balanced in terms of vitamins and minerals and should mention which nutrients are present in each meal. This activity aims to connect theory to everyday practice, stimulating creative thinking and the application of acquired knowledge.

3. Practical Experiment: The groups must elaborate and carry out an experiment to demonstrate the presence of a type of vitamin or mineral in a food of their choice. This experiment aims to reinforce the understanding obtained in the research phase and develop practical skills of observation and analysis.

4. Elaboration of Final Report: After completing the research, menu creation, and experiment stages, the students must elaborate a detailed report of the entire project process, including: introduction, development (methodology and results), conclusions, and bibliography.

Necessary Materials

• Internet access for research.
• Resources for creating the Balanced Menu (paper, pencils, colored pens, etc.).
• Materials needed for the practical experiment, which will depend on the nature of the chosen experiment.

Detailed Step-by-Step for Activity Execution

1. Divide the students into groups of 3 to 5.
2. Explain each phase of the project and provide guidance for the correct completion of the activities.
3. Start the first stage: research. Students must research each of the indicated topics and prepare an oral presentation for the class.
4. In the second stage, the groups must design and build their Balanced Menu.
5. In the third stage, students must plan, prepare, and carry out their practical experiment.
6. Finally, each group must compile the collected information and results into a final report. The report should include:
   • An introduction presenting the relevance of the topic and the project's objective;
   • The theory supporting the main concepts of the project, a detailed explanation of the experiment conducted, a description of the methods used and the results obtained;
   • A conclusion revisiting the main points, highlighting the learnings and reflections extracted from the project;
   • A bibliography listing all sources consulted during the project.
7. Conduct a project presentation session.

This project represents an engaging and practical way to learn about the topic of vitamins and minerals, favoring the acquisition of important knowledge for life and stimulating the development of socio-emotional skills.