HHD nutrient functions

carbohydrate

- provide fuel for the body
- maintenance of body temperature

soluble fibre

- satisfies hunger (takes longer to digest)
- absorbs water in the large intestine which softens faeces making it easier to excrete

insoluble fibre

- prevents and relieves constipation
- promotes intestinal health

protein

- essential for growth and development repairs and replaces body cells - strengthens and hardens bones and teeth

fats

- fuel for energy production
- key component of cell membrane

water

- assists in weight maintenance as it helps to reduce hunger whilst contributing zero kilojoules
- medium for chemical reactions required to provide energy

calcium

- building of hard tissue (bone, teeth, cartilage)

sodium

- regulates and influences fluids in the body and cells

iron

- essential for blood
- forms the ‘haem’ part of haemoglobin, which is the oxygen carrying part of blood

vitamin a

- required for cell division
- cell differentiation
- development of the immune system

vitamin d

- absorption of calcium form the intestine into the blood stream

vitamin c

- builds collagen (formation of skin and tissue)
- promotes the absorption of iron

vitamins b1, b2, and b3

assist:
- metabolism and releasing energy from carbohydrates
- cell respiration
- circulation
- nervous system

vitamin b9 (folate)

- DNA synthesis
- red blood cell formation

vitamin b12

- red blood cell formation
- rapid synthesis of DNA during cell division
- nervous system maintenance