There are over 40 different types of nutrients in food, which can be divided into the following seven major groups:
Carbohydrates
Proteins
Fats
Vitamins
Minerals
Fibre in the diet
Water
Why are they so important to our bodies?
Although each of the seven major nutrient groups serves a different and distinct purpose in our bodies, they are all necessary because they work together and contribute to our overall health. These major nutrients' main functions can be summarised as follows:
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are our body's main source of energy, and they mostly come from grains like rice and noodles. Carbohydrates can also be found in fruits, root vegetables, dry beans, and dairy products.
Proteins
Protein can be found in meat, fish, seafood, eggs, dairy products, dry beans, and bean products. Its primary functions include the formation, repair, and maintenance of healthy body tissues.
Fats Foods high in fat include meat, fish, seafood, dairy products, nuts, seeds, and oils. Fats are a source of energy. They protect organs from shock and prevent heat loss in extremely cold weather. They play a role in the formation of our body cells as well as the transport of fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin A, D, E, and K.
Vitamins Vitamins are a group of nutrients that play a role in a variety of body functions, including maintaining healthy skin and hair, building bones, and releasing and utilising energy from food. Vitamins come in a variety of forms. Water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins are the two types of vitamins.
Minerals
Minerals are a group of essential nutrients that regulate a variety of body functions, including fluid balance, muscle contraction, and nerve impulse transmission. Calcium and other minerals, for example, contribute to body structure and the development of strong and healthy bones.
Fibre in the diet
Dietary fibre is a non-digestible component of plants. It aids in blood sugar stabilisation, gastrointestinal health, and constipation prevention. Soluble and insoluble fibres are two types of dietary fibre.
Water
Water is the most abundant substance in the human body and an important nutrient for good health. The regulation of body temperature, the production of body fluids, the transportation of nutrients, and the removal of waste products are all major functions of water.
