Components of Food

How Many Types Of Minerals Are There

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Different Types of Minerals

Just like vitamins, minerals also help our body to stay healthy. Minerals perform important functions like formation of bones, teeth, and blood cells and helps in maintaining a normal heartbeat.
Minerals are of two types: macrominerals and trace minerals.

Macrominerals (macro: large) are needed by the body in larger amounts as compared to trace minerals. Calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium are examples of macrominerals.
Trace minerals are needed by the body in very small amounts. Iron, zinc, copper, and iodine are examples of trace minerals.

How Many Types Of Minerals Are There 2

How Many Types Of Minerals Are There 1
Sources of Minerals

How Many Different Types Of Vitamins Are There

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Different Types Of Vitamins

Vitamins are needed for the proper functioning of our body. They help in keeping our eyes, bones, teeth, and gums healthy. There are 13 vitamins, each of which has a specific function.
Vitamins are of two types: fat-soluble and water-soluble.

Different Types Of Vitamins 1Fat-soluble vitamins: Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble vitamins. These are stored in the fat tissues of our body and are used only when the body needs them. Our body prepares vitamin D in the presence of sunlight.

Water-soluble vitamins: Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, and folic acid (together known as vitamin B complex) and vitamin C are water-soluble vitamins. Since water-soluble vitamins are not stored in the body, these need to be regularly supplied through food items like citrus fruits, spinach, and other green leafy vegetables, etc. Lack of vitamins in the body can cause deficiency diseases.

How Many Different Types Of Proteins Are There

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Different Types Of Proteins

Proteins are needed by our body for muscle building and repairing worn-out tissues. Our muscles, organs, and even blood are made up of mostly proteins. If we do not eat proteins, our body will not be able to repair damaged cells, or build new ones. Proteins in our diet come from both animal and plant sources. Meat, fish, egg, and milk are some animal sources of proteins. Pulses, soyabeans, grams, and nuts are some plant sources of proteins.

How Many Different Types Of Proteins Are There 1
Sources of Proteins

Activity

Aim: To test the presence of proteins in a food item.
Materials needed: Food sample, copper sulphate solution, sodium hydroxide, test tube, and Bunsen burner.
Method:

    1. Crush a small amount of the food sample (if solid) and put in the test tube.
    2. Add some water to the test tube and shake it.
    3. Next, heat the test tube for about 1 minute.
    4. After the test tube has cooled down, add two drops each of copper sulphate solution and sodium hydroxide to it.

How Many Different Types Of Proteins Are There 2

Observation: The food sample turns purple or violet.
Conclusion: Change in colour of the food sample to purple or violet confirms the presence of starch.

What Are The Different Types Of Fat

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Different Types Of Fat That A Food Can Contain

Fats too provide us energy. They are of two types: saturated and unsaturated.
Saturated fats are normally solid at room temperature [ (e.g., butter), whereas unsaturated fats are mostly liquid at room temperature (e.g., vegetable oil). Meat, oil, ghee, nuts, butter and cheese are some sources of fats. Milk, fish, and egg also contain fats.
What Are The Different Types Of Fat 1Though fats are essential for our body, eating too much of food items rich in fats can be harmful. Excess body fat leads to a condition called obesity. Obesity may also lead to heart diseases.

Activity

Aim: To test the presence of fat in a food item.
Materials needed: Food sample and a sheet of filter paper.
Method:
If the food sample is liquid, rub a small amount of it onto the filter paper. If the food sample is solid, keep it between the folds of a filter paper and crush it.
Observation: Oily stain appears on the filter paper.
Conclusion: The appearance of oil stain confirms the presence of fats.

 

What Are The Different Types Of Carbohydrates

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Different Types Of Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates provide energy to your body, which keeps it going throughout the day. There are two major types of carbohydrates in food: sugar and starch.

Sugars: Sugar is also called simple carbohydrate. Fruits, honey, and table sugar are some sources of sugar.
What Are The Different Types Of Carbohydrates 1Starch: Starch is also called complex carbohydrate. Plants store energy in the form of starch. Rice, wheat, corn, potato, and bread are some sources of starch. When we eat plant products, containing sugar and starch, our digestive system breaks them down into glucose. This glucose, which is the simplest form of sugar is then absorbed into the blood and provides us energy.
What Are The Different Types Of Carbohydrates 2

Activity

Aim: To test the presence of sugar in a food item.
Materials needed: Food sample, Benedict’s solution, test tube, and Bunsen burner.
Method:

    1. Crush a small amount of the food sample (if solid) and put it in the test tube.
    2. Add some water to the test tube and shake it.
    3. Add a few drops of Benedict’s solution to the test tube. Heat it for about 1 minute.

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Observation: Depending on the amount of sugar present, Benedict’s solution (which is blue) turns green (low sugar content), yellow (medium sugar content), or brick-red (high sugar content).
Conclusion: Change in the colour of Benedict’s solution confirms the presence of sugar.

Activity

Aim: To test the presence of starch in a food item.
Materials needed: Food sample, dilute iodine solution, test tube, and Bunsen burner.
Method:

    1. Crush a small amount of the food sample (if solid) and put it in the test tube.
    2. Add some water to the test tube and shake it.
    3. Next, heat the test tube for about 1 minute. After the test tube has cooled down, add a few drops of dilute iodine solution to it.

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Observation: The food sample turns bluish-black.
Conclusion: Change in the colour of food sample to bluish-black confirms the presence of
starch.