The six types of nutrients
There are six different types of nutrients in foods:
- Carbohydrates
- Proteins
- Fats
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Water
A healthy body needs all six. Carbohydrates, proteins and fats are mainly required for body-building and energy; minerals and vitamins protect the body, give it resistance against illness and help carry out its metabolic processes; and water is a vital nutrient that keeps the body healthy.
The link between nutrition and health
Good nutrition is the key to leading a healthy lifestyle — we can improve our health simply by taking care of what we eat. A balanced diet should include whole grains, a source of protein, dairy, fruits, vegetables and water.
Final thought
Life truly thrives on food. Nutrients are the substances that food contains and on which life depends — they provide the essentials for growth and survival, and drive the physiological and biochemical processes that keep the body working.
As a weapon for prevention, nutrition is probably one of the most valid and effective instruments we have to protect our health. So ask yourself: do we give our food the attention and importance it really demands? You have the power to maintain and improve your health and reduce your risk of disease — and it's never too late to make a change.
