"Nutrition is the biochemical and physiological process by which an organism uses food to support its life."
Understanding the nutritional content of ingredients, including the amount of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals they contain, and how they contribute to a balanced diet.
Macronutrients: The three macronutrients are carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. These nutrients provide energy and play essential roles in various bodily processes.
Micronutrients: Micronutrients include vitamins and minerals, which are needed in smaller quantities than macronutrients but are still essential for health.
Water: Water is an essential nutrient that makes up a large portion of the body and plays several critical roles, including maintaining bodily fluids and regulating body temperature.
Fiber: Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that the body cannot digest. It is important for digestive health and may aid in weight management.
Fatty acids: Fatty acids are types of fat that are essential for health. They play key roles in brain function, hormone production, and inflammation.
Amino acids: Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, which are essential for growth, repair, and maintenance of body tissues.
Glycemic index: The glycemic index is a measure of how quickly a food raises blood sugar levels. It is important for managing diabetes and weight management.
Antioxidants: Antioxidants are compounds that help protect the body from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. They are found in many foods and may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Food allergies and intolerances: Some people may have allergies or intolerances to certain foods, which can cause adverse reactions. Understanding these conditions is important for proper nutrition and health.
Food additives: Food additives are substances added to food to enhance flavor, texture, or shelf life. Understanding these additives is important for those with sensitivities or allergies.
Organic vs. non-organic: Organic foods are grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or other chemicals. Understanding the difference between organic and non-organic foods is important for those who want to make informed choices about their nutrition.
Sustainability: The production, distribution, and consumption of food have significant environmental impacts. Understanding sustainable food practices and choosing sustainable foods can help promote a healthier planet.
Food labeling: Understanding the information provided on food labels, such as serving sizes, ingredients, and nutritional information, is essential for making informed nutritional choices.
Vitamins: Organic compounds that are essential for various physiological processes, such as growth, development, and metabolism.
Minerals: Inorganic substances that are essential for various physiological processes, such as bone growth, nerve function, and fluid balance.
Proteins: Complex, macromolecules composed of amino acids that are essential for building and repairing tissues, enzymes, hormones, and other vital components of the body.
Carbohydrates: The primary source of energy that provides complex, simple, and fibrous sugars which the body converts to glucose.
Fats: Fats provide energy, insulation, and promote healthy cell function.
Fiber: An essential component of a healthy diet that helps reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses.
Water: Necessary for hydration, maintaining body temperature, lubricating joints, and removing waste products.
Antioxidants: These are nutrients that protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Electrolytes: These are essential minerals that regulate fluid balance, muscle function, and nerve activity.
Phytochemicals: Plant-based compounds that have health-promoting benefits.
Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids: These essential fatty acids cannot be synthesized by the body and play an important role in energy production, cell function, and inflammation.
Probiotics: These bacteria are essential for healthy digestion, immunity, and overall well-being as they help to balance the microbiome.
Prebiotics: These are fibers that support the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut.
"It provides organisms with nutrients, which can be metabolized to create energy and chemical structures."
"Failure to obtain sufficient nutrients causes malnutrition."
"Nutritional science is the study of nutrition, though it typically emphasizes human nutrition."
"Organisms obtain nutrients by consuming organic matter, consuming inorganic matter, absorbing light, or some combination of these."
"Some can produce nutrients internally by consuming basic elements."
"Some must consume other organisms to obtain pre-existing nutrients."
"All forms of life require carbon, energy, and water as well as various other molecules."
"Animals require complex nutrients such as carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins."
"Humans obtain complex nutrients by consuming other organisms."
"Humans have developed agriculture and cooking to replace foraging and advance human nutrition."
"Plants acquire nutrients through the soil and the atmosphere."
"Fungi absorb nutrients around them by breaking them down and absorbing them through the mycelium."
"The type of organism determines what nutrients it needs."
"Organisms obtain nutrients by consuming organic matter, consuming inorganic matter, absorbing light, or some combination of these."
"Animals require complex nutrients such as carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins, obtaining them by consuming other organisms."
"All forms of life require carbon, energy, and water as well as various other molecules."
"Humans have developed agriculture and cooking to replace foraging and advance human nutrition."
"Plants acquire nutrients through the soil and the atmosphere."
"Fungi absorb nutrients around them by breaking them down and absorbing them through the mycelium."