Types Of Food And Their Benefits

Food is any material used to provide nutrition to an organism. The food of humans consist of all the elements that are required in the growth and development of a living being. Food is generally of animal, plant or fungi origin, and contains various important nutrients, including proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, or iron, which are required in the human body. Food is divided into various groups: animal food, plant food, and fungi food. Fungi food, however, is not included in this discussion because it is difficult to eat, as it grows on plants. Animals produce their own food, but are also eaten by man.

Fungi primarily obtain nutrition from dead plant matter, but can also obtain nutrients from certain foods containing yeast or microorganisms. Many types of fungi secrete enzymes that break down plant material. After the enzymes are produced, microorganisms consume the plant material through digestion. This digestion produces microorganisms-you. The microorganisms that are present in many foods contain enzymes that convert starches to glucose, release energy from starch, create complex amino acids (proteins) from other sugars, and distribute vitamins and other nutrients.

Each nutrient that is absorbed by the body is called a macronutrient. Examples of macronutrients are fats, protein, carbohydrates, and vitamins. There are four categories of macronutrients, including dietary fiber, fat, protein, and carbohydrate. Diets that are high in fat, protein, and carbohydrates are termed fat-rich diets. Diets that are high in fiber, fat, and carbohydrates are termed carbohydrate-rich diets.

The process of digestion is how the body receives nutrition, since food does not pass through the entire stomach or into the small intestine. In the small intestine, food passes rapidly past the brush that is in the wall of the stomach. Only the food particles that can be broken by saliva are absorbed into the bloodstream. The nutrients that are not broken up by saliva are transported into the blood through the lymphatic system. Food that is able to travel through the entire intestines and into the large intestine is referred to as an anaerobic metabolism. Foods that are partially digested, however, are referred to as an anaerobic metabolism.

The main types of macronutrients include carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. There are several types of macronutrients, including monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats, mono unsaturated fatty acids, and polyunsaturated fibers. Most people need a wide range of macronutrients in their diet, which means that a wide variety of foods are needed in order to meet the daily requirements.

The typical American diet contains almost one hundred percent of the calories that are required by the body. One of the major factors that contribute to the excess calories in the diet is the high consumption of packaged, processed, and fast food. Other factors that contribute to the excess intake of calories are eating larger portions of food, overeating, and using more calories than the body requires. To lose weight, it is important to include a variety of foods in the diet, including vegetables, fruits, and grains. Including a variety of foods in the diet helps to ensure that the body gets all the nutrients that it needs.