How are Nutrients Classified?
How many types of nutrients are there?
There are more than forty different types of nutrients in food and these can generally be classified into seven major categories:
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are an important part of our daily diet. They provide us energy, fuel our muscles during exercise, and also form the basis of some foods such as bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, and beans.
Carbs come from plant sources, and they can be found in fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Some carbs are digested slowly into glucose (blood sugar), whereas others are broken down into simple sugars immediately.
The human body cannot store excess carbohydrate calories as fat. Carbohydrate calories are stored directly as glycogen in the liver and muscle tissue. This means that you should eat plenty of high-carbohydrate foods in order to gain or maintain lean muscle mass.
Proteins
Proteins are vital for the body. They provide structure and support to every cell. The human body contains over 20,000 proteins. What makes them so important?
Proteins are composed of amino acids. These building blocks are arranged into chains called polypeptides. There are 20 different types of amino acid, each with its own unique chemical properties.
Proteins are essential for life because they perform various functions in the body. Some proteins are structural, while others act as enzymes or hormones.
Proteins are organic compounds composed of amino acids. The human body contains over 20 types of protein. These proteins are responsible for carrying out various functions within the body. For example, enzymes are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions in the body.
Protein is essential for the body because it helps build muscles, bones, skin, hair, nails, blood, organs, and other tissues. Without them, we would die.
Fats
Fats are found in foods such as meat, dairy, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds, avocados, olives, coconut oil, butter, etc. They are also present in oils and other fats derived from plants. The main function of fat is to store energy (calories) in the body.
Fats are considered essential nutrients because they provide important fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6. These two types of fatty acids play a vital role in maintaining a balanced metabolism and good health.
Fatty acids are necessary for the proper functioning of our bodies. Omega-3 fatty acids are especially beneficial for heart health, brain development, joint health, skin health, and immune system health.
We should consume a balanced amount of both saturated and unsaturated fats. This means that we should get enough saturated fat from animal sources (meat, milk, cheese) and unsaturated fats from plant sources (vegetables, fruits).
Vitamins
Vitamins are essential nutrients that provide energy for our bodies. They play a vital role in maintaining good health. Are you aware of the benefits of vitamins? Let us tell you why they are important for your body.
Vitamins are essential to the body
Vitamins are organic compounds that contribute to the normal functioning of the human body. These micronutrients are found naturally in food or produced synthetically in laboratories. The term vitamin was coined in 1920 by Hungarian biochemist Dr. Albert Szent-Gyorgyi. He identified eight water-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K, C, B1, B2, B3) and four fat-soluble vitamins (B5, B6, B12, folic acid).
Vitamin Deficiency is common in our society
It is estimated that over half of the population suffers from some form of vitamin deficiency. Vitamin deficiencies can cause serious health problems such as anaemia, scurvy, beriberi, pellagra, rickets, osteoporosis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, arthritis, asthma, allergies, autism, ADHD, and infertility.
Minerals
Minerals play a crucial role in our bodies. They are vital for our health and well being. Without them, we would not be able to survive.
Minerals are chemical elements that occur naturally in rocks or soil. They are formed from the decay of dead organisms over millions of years. The minerals found in nature are classified into two categories – non-metallic and metallic. Non-metallic minerals include calcium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and fluorine. Metallic minerals include iron, magnesium, aluminum, copper, zinc, cadmium, silver, gold, and mercury. Some minerals such as silicon, titanium, and vanadium are also considered semi-metallic.
Dietary fibre
Dietary Fibre is a naturally occurring compound found in foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, grains, nuts, seeds, and whole-grain breads. This nutrient helps us absorb nutrients from our food, regulate blood sugar levels, and support digestive health.
What is dietary fibre?
Fibres are long chains of carbohydrates that cannot be digested by humans. They pass through the stomach without being broken down into sugars or absorbed into the bloodstream. The body absorbs them only after they reach the large intestine where they are fermented by bacteria.
Dietary fibres are necessary for good digestion and regular bowel movements. They also play a role in maintaining normal blood glucose levels.
Water
Water is essential for life. Yet, we often take it for granted. How much do you really know about water?
Water makes up 60% of our bodies. It helps us digest food, regulate temperature, transport nutrients, and protects our organs from toxins. In fact, the average adult drinks around 2 liters of water every day.
Water is essential for our bodies, especially during times of stress or illness. In fact, without enough water, even healthy individuals can experience health problems such as dehydration, headaches, constipation, fatigue, dizziness, and muscle cramps.
Water is the main component of blood plasma and interstitial fluid. These fluids are vital for maintaining proper cell function. The body also uses water to regulate temperature, transport nutrients, remove waste, and lubricate joints.
Our bodies are composed of approximately 60% water, and our brains contain around 80%. This means that we cannot live without water. The human body is 70% water, and you need at least 2 liters of water per day. If you don’t get enough water, your brain won’t function properly and you’ll become dehydrated.
Dehydration
We are constantly exposed to dehydration through hot weather, air conditioning, and stress. This causes our bodies to become dehydrated, leading to headaches, fatigue, muscle cramps, and even death.
The best way to prevent dehydration is to drink plenty of water throughout the day. You should aim to consume between 1.5 and 2.0 litres of water each day. Drinking more than this may cause diarrhea.
How much water should I drink daily?
Drinking 8 glasses (2 liters) of water every day will help keep your body hydrated. However, if you have an active lifestyle, you might require more. For example, athletes who exercise regularly need to replace their sweat
Why is a healthy diet essential for the body?
A healthy diet is important for our overall health. But why is it so crucial? What does it mean to eat a healthy diet? How should you approach it?
Healthy food has become synonymous with expensive foods. This is because of the high cost of healthy ingredients such as fruits and vegetables. In addition, some unhealthy foods are cheaper than their healthier counterparts.
Eating well means eating less processed food and more natural whole foods. It also means cutting down on sugar, salt, and fat.
