Nutrients provide the raw materials and energy the body needs to carry out all its essential processes.
According to Dublin City Schools, there are six groups of nutrients:
1. Carbohydrates
2. Fats
3. Proteins
4. Vitamins
5. Minerals
6. Water
The amount of energy released by nutrients can be measured in units called calories. One calorie is the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius.
Carbohydrates are nutrients composed of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen. They are a major source of energy. In addition to providing energy, carbohydrates provide the raw materials to make parts of cells.
Like carbohydrates, fats are energy-containing nutrients that are composed of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen. They contain twice as much energy as an equal amount of carbohydrates.
Proteins are nutrients that contain nitrogen as well as carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
Vitamins act as helper molecules in a variety of chemical reactions within the body. Minerals are nutrients that are not made by living things. You obtain minerals by eating plant foods or animals that have eaten plants. Both vitamins and minerals are needed by your body in small amounts to carry out chemical processes.
Water is the most important nutrient because the body’s vital processes including chemical reactions such as the breakdown of nutrients take place in water.
Check out 4 ways to keep your body strong as you age, shared by Best Health Magazine.