How Well Do You Know Nutrition?

What is nutrition?

Choose the correct answer:

a) The study of how to grow plants
b) The study of how the nutrients and compounds in foods affect your body and health
c) The study of stars and planets

Answer:

The correct answer is b) The study of how the nutrients and compounds in foods affect your body and health.

Nutrition is the science that studies how nutrients and compounds in foods affect our body and health. It examines the key role nutrients from food and beverages play in human health and survival. There are three basic classes of nutrients required for our well-being: water, energy-yielding and body-building nutrients, and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals).

The challenge in nutrition lies in maintaining a balance between food intake, storage, and energy expenditure. Imbalances such as excess energy intake over energy expenditure can lead to obesity and subsequent health issues like type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Understanding the role of diet and nutrition is crucial for maintaining good health.

A balanced diet, as recommended by health experts and entities like the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), provides the nutrients necessary for proper bodily function, and the vitamins and minerals required for maintaining structure, regulation, good health, and reproductive capability.