Nutrition
17 questions tagged Nutrition — spanning every one of the seven Ws.
Which Food Has the Highest Caloric Density?
Pure fats and oils have the highest caloric density of any food at about 9 kilocalories per gram; among common whole foods, macadamia nuts (~7.2 kcal/g) and pecans (~6.9 kcal/g) are among the most calorie-dense.
Why do we crave sugar?
We crave sugar because it delivers fast energy and triggers the brain reward system, releasing dopamine that makes us feel good and want more — a drive inherited from ancestors for whom sweetness signalled safe, calorie-rich food.
Why do we feel tired after eating?
Post-meal drowsiness, sometimes called a food coma, results from a mix of digestion diverting energy, blood-sugar changes, and the release of hormones and brain chemicals that promote relaxation and sleep.
What is gluten?
Gluten is a group of proteins found in wheat, barley and rye. It makes dough stretchy and helps bread rise.
What is vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a nutrient the skin makes when exposed to sunlight. It helps the body absorb calcium and keeps bones and muscles healthy.
How many calories do you need a day?
UK health guidelines suggest about 2,000 kilocalories a day for an average woman and 2,500 for an average man, though needs vary with age, size and activity.
Why do we need vitamins?
Vitamins are small nutrients the body cannot make in enough amounts but needs for vital chemical reactions.
What is BMI?
Body mass index (BMI) is weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared, used as a rough health screen.
What is dietary fibre?
Dietary fibre is the part of plant foods the body cannot digest, which aids digestion and feeds gut bacteria.
What is the Mediterranean diet?
It is an eating pattern rich in vegetables, fruit, whole grains, legumes, fish and olive oil, inspired by Mediterranean countries.
Which Vegetable Has the Most Protein?
Edamame (young soybeans) tops the list at about 18 grams of protein per cooked cup.
Why do coffee drinkers feel more awake?
Coffee makes people feel more alert because caffeine blocks adenosine, a brain chemical that promotes sleepiness. Its effects usually begin within 15 to 45 minutes.
Why do our bodies make vitamin D from sunlight?
UVB light helps the skin start a chemical reaction that produces vitamin D3. The body then processes it into an active hormone-like form.
Which fruit has the highest vitamin C content?
The kakadu plum has one of the highest vitamin C contents of any fruit, far higher than oranges. It is a small Australian native fruit used in traditional food and modern nutrition products.
How does the body make vitamins from sunlight?
Sunlight helps the skin produce vitamin D after a chemical reaction begins in the skin. The liver and kidneys then change it into its active form.
What is a prebiotic?
A prebiotic is a type of food ingredient that nourishes beneficial microbes, especially in the gut. Unlike probiotics, prebiotics are not live organisms.
When was the first probiotic strain commercialized?
Probiotic foods and supplements became commercially popular in the early 20th century, especially after Elie Metchnikoff's work in 1907. He linked fermented milk and longevity.