What is the Relationship Between Food Nutrition and Health
Living organisms need food to survive. It is the basic necessity. Food gives us energy to work, keeps us healthy, helps in body growth and helps in immunity development. We can eat both uncooked and cooked food.
Uncooked food are those that can be eaten raw, e.g. fruits and milk. Cooked foods are those that are prepared by applying heat. It makes them soft, tasty and easy to digest, e.g. rice and pulses. In this chapter, we will study about food, nutrition, balanced diet and healthy food habits.
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Sources of Food
Plants and animals are the main sources of food. For example - fruits and vegetables are obtained from plants. Milk, meat, chicken, eggs, and fish are obtained from animals.
Food and Nutrition
We eat a variety of food items such as rice, wheat (chapati), pulses (dal), fruits, vegetables, spices and edible oils. All of these food items contain essential and healthy substances known as ‘nutrients’ in them. Every food item has nutrients in different quantities.
Type of Nutrients
The five major types of nutrients are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. In the given picture, you can see the different types of food items that are rich in respective nutrients.
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Importance of Nutrients
Nutrients are essential for proper growth and development of the body. Now, let us understand the importance of each nutrient one by one.
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Carbohydrates and Fats - Energy producers : These two nutrients provide our body with the energy to grow and work. Example - Rice, wheat, potato, sugar and butter.
Proteins - Body builders : They help in development and growth of the body. They also help to repair injured cells. Example - Pulses, eggs, milk, cheese, beans and fish.
Vitamins and Minerals - Body protective : These two nutrient groups help our body to fight infections and contribute to the formation of teeth, bones and blood. Example - Fruits, vegetables, milk and eggs.
Balanced Diet
There is no single food that contains all the nutrients in the desired quantities. Due to this reason, we need a balanced diet for the proper functioning of our body. A ‘balanced diet’ consists of proper proportions of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and water on a plate.
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Importance of Water and Dietary Fibre in Food
Dietary fibre is also known as ‘roughage’. It is obtained from plants, and particularly from fruits, vegetables and outer covering of pulses and cereals. It is the indigestible portion of food, which with water; helps in removing the wastes from the body and cleaning the digestive system. Water also helps to regulate the body temperature.
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Healthy Food Habits
For food to give us benefits, we should follow some healthy food habits.
Fresh fruits and certain vegetables should be consumed only raw in the form of salad, in order to get its maximum nutrients
Hard to digest foods should always be cooked. It makes them soft and easy to digest.
Fruits and vegetables should always be washed thoroughly before eating.
We should drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Ideally, we should drink 7-8 glasses of water daily.
We should always wash our hands with soap and water before and after eating the meals.
We should not eat the food that has been kept in the open. It is because it could be exposed to several dust, germs and flies, which can cause diseases.
Benefits and Examples of Healthy Food
Eating healthy food keeps our eyes, teeth and skin healthy. Example - eggs, milk, vegetables.
Healthy food supports building muscles. Example - Milk, eggs, chicken, etc.
It supports brain development. Example - Green vegetables, apples, oatmeal, etc.
Healthy food helps in boosting the immune system. Example - Citrus fruits, garlic, ginger, almonds, etc
It also helps in strengthening the bones. Example - Dairy food items, nuts, tofu, etc.
Foods to Avoid
We should avoid eating ‘junk food’ because it does not have any nutrients. It is generally fried food and contains too many carbohydrates (calories), salt and oil. If we keep eating junk food rather than healthy food, we will become sick and diseased.
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Solved Questions
Cereals are rich in which type of nutrients?
Ans: Cereals are rich in carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are a type of energy giving food.
Why should we avoid eating junk food?
Ans: We should not eat junk food regularly because it does not contain any essential nutrients. Also, eating junk food can make us fat.
Which vegetarian food is obtained from animals?
Ans: The vegetarian food that is obtained from animals is milk.
Fun Facts
‘Milk’ is known to be the ‘complete food’ because it contains almost all the nutrients that the body needs.
Chocolate was once used as currency (money) by the Maya Civilisation.
The shelf life of pure honey is very long. It can last upto 3000 years.
Summary
In this chapter, we have learnt about food, its sources and importance. We also studied the types of nutrients present in food and their importance. Then, we discussed what is a balanced diet and what food should be avoided for eating. We also learnt the healthy food habits that everyone should follow.
Learning By Doing
1. Put each food item in the correct nutrient group.
2. Name five food items each that are obtained from plants and animals.
FAQs on Food and Health Relationship in Human Biology
1. What is the relationship between food and health?
Food and health are directly connected because the nutrients in food support growth, energy production, immunity, and overall body function. A balanced diet provides essential macronutrients and micronutrients needed for normal physiological processes.
- Carbohydrates provide energy.
- Proteins build and repair tissues.
- Fats support cell membranes and hormone production.
- Vitamins and minerals regulate metabolism and immunity.
2. What are nutrients and why are they important for the body?
Nutrients are chemical substances in food that are essential for energy, growth, repair, and regulation of body processes. The body requires six main classes of nutrients:
- Carbohydrates – main energy source
- Proteins – growth and tissue repair
- Fats – energy storage and insulation
- Vitamins – metabolic regulation
- Minerals – structural and functional roles
- Water – transport and temperature control
3. What is a balanced diet in biology?
A balanced diet is a diet that provides all essential nutrients in the correct proportions to maintain health and normal body function. It includes appropriate amounts of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and water.
- Supports growth and tissue repair
- Maintains healthy body weight
- Prevents deficiency diseases
- Strengthens immunity
4. How does digestion help in maintaining health?
Digestion maintains health by breaking down complex food molecules into simple, absorbable nutrients. The digestive system converts:
- Carbohydrates into glucose
- Proteins into amino acids
- Fats into fatty acids and glycerol
5. What are deficiency diseases and how are they caused?
Deficiency diseases are disorders caused by a lack of specific essential nutrients in the diet. When the body does not receive enough vitamins or minerals, normal metabolic functions are impaired.
- Scurvy – caused by vitamin C deficiency
- Rickets – caused by vitamin D deficiency
- Anemia – caused by iron deficiency
6. Why are proteins important for growth and repair?
Proteins are important because they provide amino acids needed for tissue growth, repair, and enzyme production. Proteins are made up of amino acids, which are the building blocks of cells and tissues.
- Help in muscle development
- Form enzymes and hormones
- Support immune function through antibodies
7. How do carbohydrates affect energy levels and health?
Carbohydrates affect energy levels by serving as the body’s primary source of glucose for cellular respiration. During cellular respiration, glucose is broken down to produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy currency of cells.
- Simple carbohydrates provide quick energy.
- Complex carbohydrates provide sustained energy.
8. What role do fats play in the human body?
Fats play essential roles in energy storage, insulation, and cell structure. Lipids store more energy per gram than carbohydrates and are key components of the cell membrane.
- Provide long-term energy reserve
- Protect vital organs
- Assist in absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K)
9. Why is fiber important for digestive health?
Fiber is important because it promotes healthy digestion and prevents constipation. Dietary fiber is the indigestible part of plant food that adds bulk to stool and supports regular bowel movements.
- Improves gut motility
- Supports beneficial gut microbiota
- Helps regulate blood sugar levels
10. How does unhealthy food affect long-term health?
Unhealthy food negatively affects long-term health by increasing the risk of chronic diseases and metabolic disorders. Diets high in refined sugars, saturated fats, and processed foods can lead to:
- Obesity
- Type 2 diabetes
- Hypertension
- Cardiovascular disease
