Components of Food - Revision Notes
CBSE Class–VI Subject Science
Revision Notes
CHAPTER – 2
Components of Food
- Nutrients: Food substances that provide nourishemt to the body.
- The major nutrients in our food are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. In addition, food also contains dietary fibres and water.
- Carbohydrates and fats mainly provide energy to our body.
- Carbohydrates : cellulose, starch and sugar.
- Carbohydrates: These are energy-giving compounds. There may be simple carbohydrates or complex carbohydrates.
- Sources of fats : animal fats and vegetable fats.
- Fats: These are very high energy-giving compounds compounds. They produce greater amount of energy than carbohydrates.
- Carbohydrates and fats are Energy giving food.
- Minerals: These are elements required by the body in small amounts. It is essential for growth and development of bones, teeth and red blood cells.
- Proteins: These are body-building foods. They help in growth of the body.
- Vitamins: These are organic substances that protect the body from diseases.
- Roughage: It is the dietary fibre present in the food. It facilitates regular movement of the bowels and prevents constipation.
- Dietary fibre and water are not food.
- Balanced diet: It provides all the nutrients that our body needs, in right quantities, along with adequate amount of roughage and water.
- Deficiency Diseases: These are the diseases cause due to the lack of required nutrients for a long period in the diet.
- malnutrition : when a person eats enough of food but his diet is unbalanced, it is known as malnutrition.
- Undernutrition : A person not eating sufficient food to maintain good health is suffering from undernutrition.
Some Nutrients Deficiency Diseases are:
- Protein: Kwashiorkar - Stunted growth, thinning of legs, protruding belly.
- Protein and Carbohydrates – Marasmus – Complete/partial arrest of growth, lack of energy.
- Vitamin D and calcium : Rickets – Bowed legs, bent spine, deofmed bones are joints.
- Vitamin C: Scurvy – Bleeding and swelling of gums, weakness.
- Iodine: Goitre – Enlargement of thyroid gland, retarded growth.
- Iron – Anaemia – Fatigue, loss of appetite, pale skin.
- Vitamin K : -Bleeding disease- delay in blood clotting leads to excess bleeding.
- Beri-beri : - Vitamin B1 - weakness in muscles, little energy to do work, paralysis
- Night blindness - Vitamin A - No vision at night or in dim light.