Food Nutrients continued

CARBOHYDRATE
The next important nutrient obtainable from food is carbohydrates. Carbohydrates contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, with hydrogen and oxygen being present in the same ratio as in water. they have the general formula (CH2O)n where n is 3 or more. They form the largest fraction of fiood available to man.

Generally, we have simple sugars or the monosaccharides. Examples are glucose, fructose and galactose. The next group of carbohydrates are the disaccharides. they are made up of two units of the simple sugars. Examples are sucrose, lactose and maltose.

The last group of carbohydrates are the polysaccharides. they are made up of long chains of disaccharides and monosaccharides. Examples are starch, cellulose and amylopectin.
The generally recognized functions of carbohydrates includes the following:
1. They are oxidized to produce energy for life activities
2. When eaten in excess, the excess is converted to fat and stored under the skin where they help in conserving body temperature.
3. They are essential component of certain body organs such as brain and cartilage

NUTRIENTS OBTAINABLE FROM FOOD

There are six important nutrients that are obtainable from the food we eat. These nutrients are; water, carbohydrates, proteins, fats and oils, minerals and vitamins. Each of these nutrients play significant roles in the body of human beings. The functions of each will now be highlighted, starting with water.
WATER
Water is the nutrient required in the largest amount in the body of human beings. It is also the most essential compound in the body because without water human being cannot survive for a long time. Pure water is composed mainly of oxygen and hydrogen molecules. It is colorless and odorless. Pure water boils at 100 degress centigrade and freezes at 0 degree centigrade.The primary functions of water in the body are as follows:
1. It is an esential component of cells and tissues in animal body as it maintains cell turgidity.
2. It is a solvent in which food substances are dissolved and carried to various parts of the body
3. It is the medium through which waste materials are excreted from the body
4. It is a medium in which chemical reactions take place within the body. For example, during digestion, complex food substances are broken into simpler food substances through the addition of water in a process called hydrolysis
5. water helps in regulating body temperature
6. it forms a major part of the blood plasma
7. It is present in the synovial fluid which lubricates the joints and also in the aqueous humour of the eyes which aid sight.
The discussionof the importance of the remaining nutrients will continue in subsequents posts

Welcome Note

Welcome to my blog. It is generally said that health is wealth. This is very true because no individual can be said to be truly wealthy who does not have excellent health. One of the cheapest and simplest ways of maintaining good health is through a careful choice of what we eat and drink. This blog shall be highlighting relevant issues that relate to diseases/sicknesses as well as nutritional means of avoiding ill-health. Once again, you are welcome