Essential nutrients of Food | study science

Food

Food is essential for the survival of living organisms. Foods is a nutritive substance taken by an organism for growth, work, repair and maintaining life process. Foods has many different components and each component is necessary for one function or the other. 

 

* Food have energy and non - energy components. 

1. The energy components of food include - carbohydrates, proteins and lipids.
2. The non - energy components include - vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre and water.

 

Essential nutrients 

Essential nutrients are compounds that the body can't make or can't make in sufficient quantity. These nutrients must come from food, and they’re vital for disease prevention, growth, and good health.

* There are many essential nutrients, they can be broken two categories: macronutrients and micronutrients.

 

1. Macronutrients - Macronutrients are eaten in large amounts and include the primary building blocks of diet  protein, carbohydrates, and fat ,which provide your body with energy.

 

2. Micronutrients -  Vitamins and minerals are micronutrients , and small doses goes a long way.

 

Components of food

 

 

    1. Carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are body's main source of energy. It is present in the form of starch & sugar i.e. simple and complex carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates are known as polysaccharides.The simple carbohydrates are known as monosaccharides.

 

Carbohydrates comprise all the sugar in food and directly impact the level of sugar in the blood.

These are digested and broken down to glucose and provide energy  

e. g. Potato, Wheat, Rice, Maize.

    2. Protein

A protein is a complex, high molecular weight organic compound that consists of amino acids joined by peptide bonds. Protein is essential to the structure and function of all living cells and viruses. Many proteins are enzymes. Proteins are also nutrient sources for organisms that do not produce their own energy from sunlight. 

 

Proteins are necessary for building, repairing of our body. They are often called body building food. Protein help in metabolism.

   

 There are 2 Types of Protein :-  

• Animal based - Meat, fish, egg, milk.
• Vegetable based - Nuts, seed, pulses 

  

    3. Fat

Fats are produced by organic processes in animals and plants. All fats are insoluble in water. Fats that are liquid at room temperature are often referred to as oil. Predominantly saturated fats (solid at room temperature). All other vegetable fats, such as those coming from olive, peanut, maize (corn oil), cottonseed, sunflower, and soybean, are predominantly unsaturated and remain liquid at room temperature.

 

However, both vegetable and animal fats contain saturated and unsaturated fats. Some oils (such as olive oil) contain in majority monounsaturated fats, while others present quite a high percentage of polyunsaturated fats (sunflower,).

Fats provide us much energy as compare to carbohydrates. It store energy, protects and insulate organs. Body uses fat as fuel sources. They are essential for absorption of vitamin A, D, E & K in the body.

e.g. Butter, Cheese, Oil

 

 

Source of fat :-  

• Animal source - Meat, fish, egg. 
  
• Plant source - Coconut oil, Nuts, Ground nuts.
  

    4. Vitamins

Vitamins are vital for warding off disease and staying healthy. The body needs these micronutrients to support its functions. There are 13 essential vitamins that the body needs to function properly. Vitamins help in protecting our body from virus diseases. They also helps in keeping our gums, eyes, bones and teeth healthy. There are different kinds of vitamins such as Vitamin A, B complex, C, D, E and K. The daily required amounts of vitamins and minerals is low but essential to life.

    5. Minerals

Minerals help support the body. They’re essential for many body functions, including building strong bones and teeth, regulating your metabolism, and staying properly hydrated. Some of the most common minerals are calcium, iron, and zinc. Calcium helps with nerve signal transmission, maintaining healthy blood pressure, and muscle contraction and relaxation. Iron supports your red blood cells and hormone creation, while zinc boosts your immune system and wound healing. They are needed in small amount.

e.g. Fish, Beans, Leafy vegetables

   6. Dietary Fibers/Roughage

Roughage, also known as dietary fibers, are obtained from plants such as fruits, whole grain etc. They do not provide nutrients but add bulk to food

    7. Water

Water is crucial for every system in our body.Water improves brain function and mood. Water helps in absorbing nutrients from food & release waste from body in the form of urine and sweat. It hydrate the body and prevent constipation. Water act as a shock absorber and a lubricant in the body.