Why do we need food? (A Comprehensive Guide)

Why do we need food? Well, let’s answer this question with a comprehensive guide that talks about a variety of topics such as metabolism, growth, repair, and energy and how they are linked to the food that we eat.

Food and water are essential for our survival, but have we ever considered what goes on behind the curtain when we crave food or when we eat it? Let’s take a deep dive into this topic.

1. Food and Energy
2. Food and Metabolism
3. Role of food in growth and repair
4. Food and the Immune System
5. Neurology and food
6. Role of food in hormone regulation

1.) Food and Energy

Why do organisms eat food? The answer is “energy!” This is the fundamental importance of food: to facilitate movement. Movement requires energy, and energy is provided by the food we eat. Our foods are made out of either carbs, proteins, or fats.

The body breaks these down into energy, which is supplied to our organs and muscles, resulting in movement.

2.) Food and Metabolism

We know that our food is broken down into energy, but what is this process called? This breakdown of food into energy is called the metabolic process.

For metabolism to work, the body needs certain nutrients, such as zinc, magnesium, iron, and more. Therefore, it is important that the food we eat be rich in these nutrients that aid metabolism.

3.) Role of food in growth and repair

There is constant wear and tear happening within our bodies, even though we may not see or feel it. It is a constant process of growth and decay. The food that we eat, if it is sufficiently rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins, aids in the repair of muscles, bones, organs, and even our neurological state.

Therefore, it is extremely important to fuel yourself with high-quality organic and nutrient-dense food items.

4.) Food and the Immune System

Our environment is full of bacteria, viruses, funguses, and other living organisms that can prove to be dangerous to our health and well-being.

So how are we fit and fine even though we are surrounded by so many dangerous elements? The answer is your ‘immune system.’ The human immune system has developed over the course of millions of years of evolution and is competent at dealing with almost any external element.

That being said, it needs to function properly in order to do its job. The immune system also needs nutrients such as vitamin C, zinc, magnesium, and more for optimal performance. Be sure to include such immune-system-building foods in your diet.

5.) Neurology and food

Eating a healthy diet is required for optimal brain function. The brain requires glucose, sodium, zinc, vitamins, and enzymes for optimal function. If the brain gets these nutrients, it functions well. A lack of these nutrients can cause a variety of issues, such as grogginess, lack of focus, lack of energy, and more.

6.) Role of food in hormone regulation

What are hormones? Hormones are like little messengers that regulate the critical functions of our body. For instance, the insulin hormone, which is produced by the pancreas, regulates the level of sugar in your blood stream.

If the level of sugar in your bloodstream is high, insulin is released. This insulin will give the cells of your body a signal to absorb the additional sugar in your bloodstream, leading to lower sugar levels in the blood.

Another important example of hormone regulation through food is the relationship between leptin and appetite. Leptin is a hormone produced by fat cells within the body. This hormone plays a key role in regulating our appetite.

If a person consumes highly processed foods, there is an increase in leptin production, which causes a condition called leptin resistance. Once a person is leptin-resistant, he or she will find it difficult to regulate their diet and appetite, increasing the urge to eat more often.

There you have it; you have now understood why we need food. The food that we eat plays a major role in our physical, psychological, emotional, and hormonal health.