Macronutrients present the essential nutrients the human body needs to maintain its structure and healthy functioning. Macronutrients consumed in large quantities provide energy for the body in the form of calories. There are three primary macronutrient types: protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Every macronutrient has its role in maintaining the functioning of the human body, which means that there are different recommended dietary allowances for the three macronutrients.
Firstly, proteins are macronutrients responsible for building muscle and the structure of organs and tissue in the human organism. According to Agrawal et al. (2020), the recommended daily allowance of protein is 60 grams. Generally found in animal products, nuts, beans, and legumes, proteins are rich in amino acids. Some amino acids are essential for the body’s functioning, which means that people should monitor their protein intake to ensure healthy status.
Next, fats are required in the human organism because they help absorb vitamins. Furthermore, fats are also important for brain development and hormone production. Fats contain more calories than other macronutrients, which means that their processing takes more time. However, that also means that fat consumption can satisfy an individual’s feeling of hunger for a long time. The recommended dietary allowance of fat for adults is 25 grams (Agrawal et al., 2020). However, depending on the body’s ability to process fat, the recommended dietary allowances can change for a higher or lower proportion of fats.
Lastly, carbohydrates are macronutrients that contain sugar and starch. During their processing in the human body, carbohydrates break down into glucose. Glucose presents the main source of energy for the body because of its fast processing in the body. Moreover, glucose is the primary source of energy for the human brain, which functions without stopping. Thus, the recommended carbohydrate dietary allowance is significantly higher than other macronutrients – 130 grams (Agrawal et al., 2020). Therefore, carbohydrates in vegetables, whole grains, and fruits should represent a significant portion of the diet.
In conclusion, this paper explains the importance of macronutrients for the healthy functioning of the human body and the prevention of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Next, the paper explored the roles of three macronutrients in maintaining the body’s structure, hormone production, and brain activity. Lastly, the paper provided the information on recommended dietary allowances for each macronutrient to illustrate their importance and emphasize their proportion in the diet.
Reference
Agrawal, N., Singh, A., & Rana, S. (2020). Study of dietary intake of micro and macronutrients and comparison with the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA). Journal of Nutrition, Metabolism and Health Science, 3(1), 10-12.