Understanding the Nourishment of Food

Food is any material consumed to give nutrition to an organisms. This nourishment is generally of protein, vegetable, and fungal or even both, origin, and is consumed to supply the organisms with necessary nutrients, including vitamins, sugars, proteins, and carbohydrates. The diet of a human being usually consists of food obtained from plant sources, although animal products are also consumed by people. Foods are categorized into different groups; these include: vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts, grains, and fats. Fruits and vegetables are the most important food group, together accounting for more than 50% of daily energy intake in the US.

Animal products comprise the remainder of dietary intake, with fats and carbohydrates being the more important categories. These substances are combined with or without vitamins, minerals, and water to provide a balanced nutrition, which is required by all the organs in the body and all the tissues of the human body. In order to meet nutritional needs, enzymes are needed, which are completely provided by the body itself. Enzymes are proteins that serve as catalysts in chemical reactions, thereby converting nutrients into substances that can be used by living organisms. They combine with certain other molecules to form peptides, amino acids, sugars, and other substances that contribute to the complete protein content in the body.

Carbohydrate and fat are the two main nutrients in food, with the protein providing the bulk of the calories and carbohydrates providing energy. Proteins play a very important role in the human body, acting as building blocks of body tissue and playing an important role in metabolism. There is considerable variation in the food compositions and nutritional needs of the various cultures, where some eat mainly carbohydrate, while others focus on fat. Nutritional balance is very important in maintaining health and achieving maximal fitness.