Minerals do not Supply Calories

Like vitamins, minerals do not supply calories. They are not broken down in the digestive process, but are partly absorbed, if soluable, for use in about the same forms as they occur in foods.

Minerals, except iron, are not used up in the body but are excreted after carrying out their particular functions. Losses must be replenished regularly by the foods ingested.

Water is an important nutrient, essential for life. (You may be surprised to learn that water is considered a nutrient.) Water serves as a building material, a solvent, and a regulator of body temperature.

It carries nutrients to cells and waste products away. It aids digestion and is necessary in all chemical reactions in metabolism. The dietary sources of water include not only liquids, but also the moisture in foods.