The invention disclosed in this application relates to novel water soluble molecular dispersions of lipophilic nutrients such as lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, betacarotene, omega-3 fatty acids, tocopherols, many of them being derived from either oils or oleoresins, in water soluble hydrophilic solids or liquid carriers. This invention also provides a process for the preparation of such dispersions. The novel molecular dispersions of the present invention are useful for formulating beverages, capsules, sachets, tablets, lotions, liniments, mouthwashes, and gargles.