Components of Food - I

Amla, orange and lemon are citrus fruits. They are a rich source of vitamin C. 

Vitamins are major components of our food. They strengthen our body to fight against diseases.

Calcium is a major component of our bones and teeth. Iron is present as haemoglobin in blood and iodine is required for the regular body metabolism. Mercury is poisonous for our health and can lead to death even if taken in small amount. 

Our teeth and bones are basically formed from the compounds of calcium, the deficiency of which leads to their decay.

The presence of any nutrient can be tested and confirmed by particular tests, e.g. presence of proteins can be tested by using copper sulphate and caustic soda. Oily patch on paper, when a food product is kept over it, confirms the presence of fats. The addition of iodine turns the starchy food to blue-black. 

Each nutrient of the balanced diet has a particular function to perform in our body, e.g. proteins are the building blocks for the body and fats provide energy to work. 

The presence of any nutrient can be tested and confirmed by particular tests, e.g. presence of proteins can be tested by using copper sulphate and caustic soda. When a food product is kept on a paper, an oily patch on the paper confirms the presence of fat. 

To test the presence of proteins in any substance, 2 drops of copper sulphate and 10 drops of caustic soda are added to the substance. If the colour of the solution does not change, it means proteins are absent. If the colour changes from white to violet, it confirms the presence of proteins. Milk, egg and pulses give positive test for proteins. 

Carbohydrates are a form of sugar obtained from starchy or sugary foods. So items like rice, potato, melon and mango are the best source of carbohydrates. 

Both fats and carbohydrates provide us energy. Thus, these are also known as energy giving foods. 

Each nutrient of the balanced diet has a particular function to perform in our body, e.g. proteins are the building blocks for the body because they are required by the body for its optimal growth and repair of worn out tissues. 

Dietary fibre or roughage helps in proper digestion and easy bowel movement and thus, aids in removing waste from the body.

Wheat, rice, potato and sweet potato are sources of carbohydrates. But rice contains the highest level of starch and is the highest carbohydrate rich source of food. 

Proteins form a major component of a balanced diet. Plant products like pulses, grams and animal products like fish, paneer, milk etc. are the main sources of proteins. 

Different vitamins play different roles in our body. Vitamin C helps to fight against diseases. Vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium from food and helps our body to use calcium for bones and teeth. 

Roughage (dietary fibers) is provided by all plant products like fruits, pulses, vegetables etc. It acts as food for animals, helps us in getting rid of the undigested food from the body and keeps our skin healthy. 

Vitamins are the major components of our balanced diet and are taken from outside sources, i.e. these cannot be synthesised by the body itself. Vitamin D is an exception, which is prepared by the body in the presence of sunlight.

Vitamin A helps in keeping our skin and eyes healthy. Carbohydrates and fats are energy providing foods and proteins are basic building blocks of the body.

Food is required by our body for its growth, proper functioning. It also provides us energy. Oxygen is not made from the food.

Roughage (dietary fibers) is provided by all plant products like fruits, pulses, vegetables etc. It acts as food for animals, helps us in getting rid of the undigested food from the body and keeps our skin healthy. 

The diet, which contains all the nutrients in proper proportion, is called a balanced diet. 

To maintain the nutrient content of the body for the optimal growth, one should eat a balanced diet. A balanced diet basically includes 5 major nutrients: proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Also water and dietary fibers make a part of our diet, but water is not included in nutrients. 

For the optimal functioning of the body parts, one should have a balanced diet. Vitamins are the components of the food which help us in keeping our eyes, bones and teeth healthy. 

Deficiency of any nutrient in the body causes one or the other malfunctioning, e.g. rickets is a disease caused by the deficiency of Vitamin D in our body and results in bow shaped legs. 

To test the presence of proteins in any substance, two drops of copper sulphate followed by ten drops of caustic soda are added. If the colour of the solution does not change, it means proteins are absent. If the colour changes from white to violet, it confirms the presence of proteins. Milk, egg and pulses give positive test for proteins. So, the chemicals used are caustic soda and copper sulphate.