indicated by numbers and values ​​in the calorie table, Maybe it’s measured in a way you never thought about.

Calories of food Once you know how this is determined, now look at the labels more carefully.

First of all: what are calories?

We can technically explain the calorie, which is actually a unit of energy, as follows: We call the amount of energy calories.

In nutrition, calories refer to the energy our bodies get from food. This energy; action, We use it to protect the health of our bodies and perform basic life functions.

such as fat, carbohydrates and proteins in food macronutrients each produces a certain amount of energy.

So how is this energy, i.e. calories, calculated?

Knowing how much energy macronutrients provide to our body is actually the basis of calorie calculation. To find the energy value of food calorimetry A method called .

The food is placed in a special device that you see in the photo. Inside it is surrounded by water, insulated and a compartment full of oxygen is available.

calorimeter bomb Food is also burned in this part. The heat released during combustion increases the temperature of the water, which indicates the number of calories in the food. If the water temperature rises by 20 degrees, it means that the food contains 20 calories.

However, some problems may arise with this method.

There may also be components such as fiber that, although burned, are not absorbed into the bloodstream and do not contribute to the calories. To calculate the calories of energy-containing foods such as proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fat and alcohol “water system” is used.

In this system, indigestible fiber is added to the total before calories are calculated. It is removed from carbohydrates.

Moreover, it will be difficult to calculate the calories of any food by burning it in daily life. Some standards are used. In fact, this simplifies the overall calculation.

1 gram of carbohydrates contains 4 calories, 1 gram of protein equals 4 calories and 1 gram of fat equals 9 calories. So if we know how many of these are in a food, we can calculate the calories. For example, you can consider the calories of a food that contains 10 grams of fat as 90 calories.

Are all calories the same?

Yes, technically each calorie provides the same amount of energy, but how this energy is used in our bodies can be assessed differently. For example, proteins and carbohydrates are consumed by the body while it is digested faster, Fats take longer to digest.

So our body Although you can use some calories more efficiently, uses some less efficiently.

While you eat with pleasure to the world of calories You are already somewhat familiar with it. This way you can enjoy what you eat and pay more attention to your health.

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