Chapter 2, Components of Food

Chapter 2
Components of Food
NCERT, CLASS 6, SCIENCE
1. Nutrients
• Food contains some components that are needed by our body. These components are called nutrients.
• The major nutrients are named carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins and minerals, in addition, food contains dietary
fibers and water which are also needed by our body.
2. Types of nutrients
• Carbohydrates
o Carbohydrates or carbs, are sugar molecules. Carbs mainly provides energy to our body. Your body break down
carbs into glucose. Glucose or blood sugar, is the main source of energy for body's cells, tissues and organs.
o If the diet is deficient in carbs for a long period of time, the growth may stop completely. Such a person becomes
very lean and thin and so weak that s/he may not even be able to move.
o To see if food contain carbohydrates (epically starch) take a small quantity of a food item or a raw ingredient. Put
2-3 drops of dilute iodine solution it. Observe if there is any change in the color of the food item, it turns blue-
black. A blue-black color indicates that it contains starch.
• Proteins
o Proteins are essential nutrients for the human body. They are one of the building blocks of body tissue and can
also serve as a fuel source. Foods contains proteins are often called body building foods.
o If a person does not get enough proteins in his food for long time, he is likely to have stunted growth, swelling of
face, discoloration hair, skin diseases and diarrhea.
o To see if food contain protein, take a small quantity of a food item for testing. If the food you want to test is a
solid, you first need to make a paste of it or powder it. Put some of this in a clean test tube, add 10 drops of water
to it and shake the test tube. Now, add two drops of solution of copper sulphate and ten drops of solution of
caustic soda to the test tube. Shake well and let the test tube stand for a few minutes. It will turn violet. A violet
color indicates presence of portions in the food item.
• Fats
o In nutrition, fats usually mean any ester of fatty acids, or a mixture of such compounds, most commonly those that
occur in living beings or in food. Fats also give us energy. In fact, fats give more energy as compared to the same
amount of carbohydrates.
o Lack in facts in diet may cause dry rashes. Hair loss, a weaker immune system, and issues related to vitamin
deficiencies. To help maintain good health, most of the fats should be monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats.
o To see if food contain fat, take a small quantity of food item. Wrap it in a paper and crush it. Now, straighten the
paper and observe it carefully. Hold the paper against light and if food contain fat the light faintly, through patch.
• Vitamins
o Vitamins are substance that our bodies need to develop and function normally. They include vitamins A, C, D, E
and K, choline and the B vitamin (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12,
and folate/folic acid).
o Vitamins help in protecting our body against diseases. Vitamins also help in keeping our eyes, bones, teeth and
gums, healthy.
o Vitamins are of different kinds known by different names. Some of these are vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D,
vitamin E and K. there is also a group of vitamins called vitamin B complex.
o Our body need all types of vitamins in small quantities. Vitamin A keep our skin and eyes healthy. Vitamin C help
body to fight against many diseases. Vitamin D help our body to use calcium for bones and teeth.
• Minerals
o In context of nutrition, a mineral is a chemical element required as an essential nutrient by organisms to perform
functions necessary for life.
o Minerals are need by body in small amount. Each one is essential for proper growth of body and to maintain good
health.
• Dietary Fibers
o Dietary Fibers are also known as roughage. Roughage is mainly provided by plant products in our foods. Whole
grain and pluses, potatoes, fresh fruits and vegetables are main sources of roughage.
o Roughage does not provide any nutrient to our body, but it an essential component of our food and add to its bulk.
This helps our body get rid of indigestive food.
o Dietary Fibers are diverse in chemical composition, and can be grouped generally by their solubility, viscosity and
fermentability, which affect how fibers are processed in the body.
• Water
o Water helps our body to absorb nutrients from food. It also helps in throwing out some wastes from body as urine
and sweat. Normally, we get most of the water that our body needs from the liquid we drink, such as water, milk
and tea.
3. Deficiency Diseases
SOME DISEASES/DISOREDRS CAUSED BY DEFICIENCY OF VITAMINS AND MINERALS
Vitamins/Minerals Deficiency symptoms

diseases/disorders
Vitamin A Loss of vision Poor vision, loss of vision in night/darkness,

sometimes complete vision loss.
Vitamin B1 Beriberi Weak muscles and very little energy to work.
Vitamin C scurvy Bleeding gums, wounds take longer time to heal.
Vitamin D rickets Bones becomes soft and bent.
calcium Bones and tooth decay Weak bones, tooth decay.
iodine Goitres Glands in the neck appear swollen, mental disability

in children.
iron Anaemia weakness

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Chapter 2

Vitamins/Minerals Deficiency symptoms

Vitamin A Loss of vision Poor vision, loss of vision in night/darkness,

Vitamin B1 Beriberi Weak muscles and very little energy to work.

Vitamin C scurvy Bleeding gums, wounds take longer time to heal.

Vitamin D rickets Bones becomes soft and bent.

calcium Bones and tooth decay Weak bones, tooth decay.

iodine Goitres Glands in the neck appear swollen, mental disability

iron Anaemia weakness

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