Essential Functions of Nutrients in a Human Body

Nutrients are environmental substances used for energy, growth, and bodily functions by organisms. As a matter of fact these nutrients are not present in the same amount in different foods. Some are present in larger amounts and some in smaller amounts in various food items. These all nutrients are required in our body as they have their particular function to carry out in order to keep us healthy. So according to the need of these nutrients these have been categorised in two groups. The nutrients that are needed in small amounts for optimum nutrition are called Micronutrient. Those that are needed in larger amounts are called Macronutrients.

Macronutrients are as follows:

Carbohydrates

Fats

Proteins

Water

Micronutrients are as follows:

Minerals

Vitamins such as Vit A , Vit B complex, Vit C, Vit D, Vit E and Vit K

 

 

There are three macronutrients required by humans: carbohydrates (sugar), lipids (fats), and proteins. Each of these macronutrients provides energy in the form of calories. For example:

• In carbohydrates, there are 4 calories per gram
• In proteins, there are 4 calories per gram
• And in lipids, there are 9 calories per gram

This means that if you look at a food label and it lists 10 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of protein, and 0 grams of fat, that food would contain 40 calories.