Final answer:
Essential nutrients critical for maintaining health include carbohydrates, which provide energy; proteins for growth and repair; vitamins and minerals for various body functions; and water for numerous bodily processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The essential nutrients that must be obtained through our diet include carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and water.
Each of these plays a critical role in maintaining health. Carbohydrates are the body’s main energy source. They are found abundantly in plants, where they serve as structural components and energy storage. In the human diet, carbohydrates should be consumed daily due to their crucial role in providing energy, contributing to around 2% of body weight.
Proteins are necessary for growth, repair, and maintaining body tissues. They are comprised of amino acids, some of which are essential and must be obtained from food.
Vitamins and minerals, while needed in smaller quantities than macronutrients, are vital for various body functions and cannot be synthesized in adequate amounts by the body, so they must be regularly consumed.
Lastly, water is an essential nutrient that is required for virtually all bodily functions, including as a solvent, a reactant, and a means to regulate body temperature.
Vitamins are organic compounds that the body needs in small amounts for various metabolic processes.
Water is essential for the proper functioning of the body. It helps regulate body temperature, transport nutrients, and remove waste products.