Characteristics of nutrients and their benefits to the body Essay

In order to obtain good health everyone must consume a balanced diet. To do this we must eat recommended amounts of food from the five food groups which are, fruit and vegetables, meat, fish & alternatives, bread, cereals & potatoes, milk & dairy and foods which contain fats and sugar. These five food groups contain the seven components of a balanced diet they are, protein, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, minerals, fibre and water. Proteins are made up of long chains of amino acids, there are 22 different types of amino acid and the body needs all of them to function properly. There are many forms of protein, which all play an important role in the function of the body. For example, collagen is a protein and is vital for the strength, elasticity and composition of hair and skin. If not consuming enough carbohydrates, the body will look for other sources of energy, such as proteins found in muscle tissue. Proteins, however, are not efficient sources of energy for the body. Proteins are essential nutrients for the human body. They are one of the building blocks of body tissue, and can also serve as a fuel source. Carbohydrates are one of the main types of food. The liver breaks down carbohydrates into glucose which the body uses for sugar. Carbohydrates also protect muscles and help regulate the amount of sugar circulating in the blood so that all the cells get the energy they need. Sugars and starch are the main types of carbohydrates; these carbohydrates provide energy for the body. Lipids in the body store energy and are serving as components of hormones and vitamins. Vitamins are an essential nutrient which the body cannot produce enough of on its own, so it has to get it from food. Minerals help your body grow, develop, and stay healthy. The body uses minerals to perform many different functions such as building strong bones to transmitting nerve impulses. Fibre can’t be digested so it helps clean out the intestines by moving bowel movements along. Water has many functions in the human body. Some of its actions include its use as a solvent, as a lubricant, as a conduction system for moving unnecessary waste, and as a mode of temperature regulation. Macronutrients are also essential for good health; they break down carbohydrates and fats, which provide energy to the body and they assist in the absorption of protein, which provides the building blocks necessary for cell growth and repair. Micronutrients depend on vitamins and minerals to regulate the release of energy from food because they don’t provide energy.