Britannica Sources used in this answer

Which vitamins are water-soluble?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Several translucent, oval-shaped vitamin E gel capsules are scattered on a white surface near a partially visible bottle. — vitamin Vitamin E in gel-cap form.

There are nine water-soluble vitamins required by humans, which include vitamin C and the eight B-complex vitamins.1

The B-complex vitamins are:
* Thiamin
* Riboflavin
* Niacin
* Vitamin B6
* Folic acid
* Vitamin B12
* Pantothenic acid
* Biotin

Unlike fat-soluble vitamins, water-soluble vitamins are generally not stored in the body in significant amounts (with the exception of vitamin B12) and must be consumed regularly in the diet. They are typically excreted in the urine when intake exceeds the body's requirements. Because they are soluble in polar solvents, they are more susceptible to destruction during cooking processes compared to fat-soluble vitamins.12