When food is digested, it division down right into chemical substances dubbed nutrients. There are much more than 50 well-known nutrients that store the body healthy. Every nutrient is necessary. While each nutrient has a different job, no nutrient action alone. Think of nutrient as the "raw materials" that store the human body alive and also healthy. They are responsible for:

growth, repair and also maintenance of human body parts, and regulation of human body functions, together as maintaining a continuous body temperature and circulating fluids transparent the body.

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Scientists team nutrients right into six significant categories:

Proteins.
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Carbohydrates. Fats. Water. Vitamins.
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Minerals.

Most foods contain an ext than one of these nutrients, but no one food has all the nutrients in the quantities necessary for life.

Ten- and 11-year olds have actually special nutrient needs because they room just beginning a development spurt. In particular, they require more:

Protein because that body growth. Calcium because that bone growth. Iron for muscle breakthrough and the enhanced blood volume in their bodies.

Nutrient Functions

Nutrient Purpose Food Sources
Proteins Build and also repair cells Fight infection and heal cut Make antibodies, enzymes, and also hormones Meat, fish, poultry Dried peas, beans, nuts Eggs, milk, cheese
Carbohydrates Supply energy Supply fiber to help food move through the digestive tract Breads, cereals Rice, pasta Fruits, vegetables Dried beans and peas Sugar and foods sweetened through it
Fats Supply focused energy carry vitamins throughout the body Insulate the body from cold Cushion inner organs and bones from damages Butter, margarine, oil Nuts and also seeds Fried foods items Salad dressings, gravies Snack chips, etc. Cookies, cakes, pies, etc.
Water Carries other nutrients transparent the body Carries wastes out of the body Regulates human body temperature every foods and beverages
Vitamin A Keeps skin healthy and balanced Keeps eyes healthy, particularly for night vision help fight epidemic Deep yellow fruits and vegetables (carrots, sweet potatoes, apricots, peaches, pumpkin, cantaloupe) Dark green, leafy vegetables (kale, spinach, collards, broccoli) Liver, egg yolk Milk, cheese, butter
Vitamin C Helps cure cuts prevents infection help the body use iron Maintains healthy and balanced body tissue Citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruits, lemons) various other fruits (kiwis, strawberries) some vegetables (green peppers, broccoli, cabbage, tomatoes, spinach, potatoes)
Calcium provides strength and also structure for bones and also teeth Keeps nerves and also muscles healthy Milk, cheese, yogurt Dark environment-friendly leafy vegetable (kale, broccoli, collards) Salmon v bones
Iron helps blood lug oxygen prevents anemia (and the exhaustion that accompanies it) help fight infection skinny meat, liver, oysters Dried peas and also beans fortified grain commodities Some vegetables (tomatoes, spinach) part dried fruits (prunes, raisins, apricots)

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