What is Nutrition ? FUNCTIONS OF FOOD || What is Health ?

• What is Nutrition ?

It is the science of food that work in the body. It involves various chemical reactions and physiological processes which transform food into the body tissues and activities. It involves -

• Ingestion
• Digestion
• Absorption
• Excretion of waste

It also involves the activities of other bodily functions.
                                                         

                                           

• What is Food ?

It is the basic thing for our survival. It is the raw material with which our body is made up of. According to Mac Carrison - "food is the instrument of nourishment and the nutrition is the act of doing it".
                                         

                                     

FUNCTIONS OF FOOD :

  •  Provides Energy - Food supplies the fuel or energy needed to perform the main tasks of everyday living. We need energy to think, breath, walk, sit, speak and even sleep. We get energy from carbohydrates, proteins and fats. It is important that we eat enough food to supply all our needs. If we don't, we'll feel tired. 


  • Growth and Repair - Food provides the materials needed to build, repair and maintain body tissues. Proteins, fats and Minerals the best nutrients for growth. Growing bodies need extra amount of these nutrients. Every person, whether growing or not, is going through a continual repair process of replacing injured or dead cells.

   It is food that supplies the nutrients necessary for this process.


  • Regulation - Food supplies the substances that help to regulate the body's processes. Water, Vitamins and Minerals help regulate breathing, the nervous system, digestion, blood circulation and elimination of waste products from the body. They help keep all the systems in the body working properly.
                                               

  • Protection - Vitamins , Minerals and Protein keep the body's tissues and organs healthy. Healthy organs less likely to be attract by disease.

• What is Health ?

According to WHO, "Health is the state of complete physical, mental, social well being and not merely an absence of any disease or infarmity".

                                         
Now we need to know, From where the word 'Health' comes from ?

The Word Health Comes from "WOLTH". That means completeness.

                                                   

• What is Nutrients ?

These are the constituents or components of food that must be supplied in the body in suitable amount.

These are -

• Carbohydrate
• Protein
• Fat                             
• Vitamins
• Minerals

There are some accessary nutrients like -

• Water
• Roughage / Cellulose
• Antioxidant

Nutrients may also reduce the risks of some degenerative diseases.