Which of the following essential substance is contained in vegetable?

Analyze the question: The question asks which essential nutrient (a substance the body needs from food) is found in vegetables.

Explain the concept: Vegetables are mainly eaten for their mineral salts (such as iron, calcium, potassium and magnesium), vitamins and roughage (fibre). These are essential in the diet because the body cannot make them, and they support healthy blood, bones, and body functions. Examples: iron in spinach (efo) prevents anaemia, and calcium helps build strong bones and teeth.

Check each option:

• A. Chlorophyll – This is the green pigment in plants used for photosynthesis. It is present in vegetables, but it is not an essential nutrient for humans.
• B. Glucose – This is a simple sugar. Vegetables contain very little of it, and it is not what they are known for. Foods like fruits, honey and starchy foods are better sources.
• C. Mineral salts – Vegetables are a rich source of these, and they are essential for health. ✔
• D. Carbon dioxide – This is a gas used in photosynthesis and released in respiration. It is not a food nutrient.

Answer: The best choice is **C.

Tip: In JAMB nutrition questions, link foods to their key nutrient. Vegetables → mineral salts, vitamins and fibre. Beans → protein. Yam → carbohydrate. Palm oil → fats and vitamin A. Also watch for words like "essential": they point to nutrients the body needs from the diet, not pigments or gases.