Experiments carried out to understand the importance of key nutrients for a balanced diet and it’s sources.
A balanced diet, one which contains the correct amount of nutrients and energy for a said individual, is an extremely important factor in
maintaining good health. I carried out several experiments and tests, to investigate the nutritional content of a variety of foods as well
as to understand the important role that these key nutrients play within a balanced diet.
I carried out 6 experiments on different food sources to test for the macronutrients; reducing sugars, starch, lipids, vitamin C, proteins,
and all the food sources all together (to test for the presence of macronutrients in each food source). In keeping with a well balanced
diet, these 5 macronutrients (in which I observed for during my experiment) are essential nutrients for a balanced diet.
Carbohydrates (starch and sugars) are key nutrients for a balanced diet as they provide an energy source. Starch is broken down into
glucose, so the body can burn it for energy and sugars are absorbed from the intestine into the bloodstream to travel to cells and
provide energy for cellular functions. Lipids (fats) are essential within a balanced diet as they too provide an energy source and is
stored in the body as an energy store. They also provide protection of the internal organs and are an important part of the membrane
surrounding body cells and nerve tissue and provide the building blocks for which several hormones (i.e. sex hormones) and digestive
juices are made. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a key nutrient for a balanced diet as it helps to maintain healthy skin, bones, blood
vessels and muscle as it assists the body in making collagen protein. It also helps with healing wounds and cuts and aids the
absorption of dietary iron (an antioxidant). Proteins are essential nutrients as they help to repair and build tissue. They are also key for
the growth of the bone, muscle, skin, cartilage and blood and produce enzymes and hormones.
A balanced diet, one which contains the correct amount of nutrients and energy for a said individual, is an extremely important factor in
maintaining good health. I carried out several experiments and tests, to investigate the nutritional content of a variety of foods as well
as to understand the important role that these key nutrients play within a balanced diet.
I carried out 6 experiments on different food sources to test for the macronutrients; reducing sugars, starch, lipids, vitamin C, proteins,
and all the food sources all together (to test for the presence of macronutrients in each food source). In keeping with a well balanced
diet, these 5 macronutrients (in which I observed for during my experiment) are essential nutrients for a balanced diet.
Carbohydrates (starch and sugars) are key nutrients for a balanced diet as they provide an energy source. Starch is broken down into
glucose, so the body can burn it for energy and sugars are absorbed from the intestine into the bloodstream to travel to cells and
provide energy for cellular functions. Lipids (fats) are essential within a balanced diet as they too provide an energy source and is
stored in the body as an energy store. They also provide protection of the internal organs and are an important part of the membrane
surrounding body cells and nerve tissue and provide the building blocks for which several hormones (i.e. sex hormones) and digestive
juices are made. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a key nutrient for a balanced diet as it helps to maintain healthy skin, bones, blood
vessels and muscle as it assists the body in making collagen protein. It also helps with healing wounds and cuts and aids the
absorption of dietary iron (an antioxidant). Proteins are essential nutrients as they help to repair and build tissue. They are also key for
the growth of the bone, muscle, skin, cartilage and blood and produce enzymes and hormones.
