Nutrients are essential chemical substances obtained from food and drink that organisms need to live, grow, and function. They provide the energy needed for bodily activities and the raw materials required to build, repair, and regulate tissues and organs.
They are broadly divided into two main categories: Macronutrients and Micronutrients.
1. Macronutrients
Needed in large quantities, these provide the body with energy (measured in calories) and the building blocks for physical growth.
- Carbohydrates: The body’s primary source of quick energy, fuels the brain and nervous system. Found in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
- Proteins: Essential for building, structuring, and repairing cells, muscles, and tissues. Found in meat, fish, eggs, and legumes.
- Fats (Lipids): Important for long-term energy storage, protecting vital organs, and absorbing certain vitamins. Found in avocados, nuts, and oils.
- Water: Not an energy source, but vital for cellular function, temperature regulation, and transporting nutrients.
2. Micronutrients
Required by the body in small (micro) amounts, these do not provide energy but are crucial for metabolism, immunity, and preventing disease.
- Vitamins: Organic compounds (like Vitamin C, D, and the B-complex) that support immune function, wound healing, and hormone regulation.
- Minerals: Inorganic elements (like Calcium, Iron, and Potassium) that build strong bones, support nerve transmission, and balance bodily fluids.
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