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The Four Basic Food Molecules

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A molecule is a group of atoms bonded together that represent the smallest unit of a chemical compound that can take part in a chemical reaction. (http://www.dictionary.com) In kitchen chemistry today, there are many types of food molecules such as minerals, vitamins, fiber, and water. But there are four molecules that people refer to as food, also known as the four basic food molecules, which can be used to produce energy which are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and alcohol which is not considered a basic nutritional component of food.
Protein is a compound that’s made up of amino acids that are joined by peptide bonds. It is considered the most important molecule which can come in two forms, complete proteins and incomplete proteins. …show more content…

Carbs that are composed of monosaccharide’s break down under hydrolysis which can also be classified under disaccharides, oligosaccharides, or polysaccharides, depending on how many monosaccharide units are present. Carbs can also be called simple or complex carbohydrates but this depends on their chemical structure. Simple carbohydrates only include sugars that are found in foods like fruits, vegetables, milk, and milk products. They also include sugars that are added during food processing and refining. Complex carbohydrates include whole grain breads and cereals, and starchy vegetables such as green beans, broccoli, peppers, cucumbers, carrots, mushrooms, or celery which are also good sources of fiber.
Last, we have vitamins. These are organic compounds that are essential in our diet. They fall into two categories and those categories are fat soluble and water soluble. The fat-soluble vitamins, Vitamins A, D, E, & K all dissolve in fat and can be stored in your body. The water soluble vitamins which are vitamin B & C need to be dissolved in water before your body can absorb them. Because of this, people’s bodies can't store these vitamins and any B or C vitamin that your body doesn't is lost. So it is highly recommended that you have these vitamins every day.
Vitamins help the immune system work; support normal growth and development, and help cells and organs do

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