Calories are heat units. Calories have been replaced by a more suitable unit, joule. By definition 1 calorie is equal to the heat required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of water (4.18 joules). Still, the term calorie is used, especially when we talk about food and other matter relating to our bodies energy. Generally it is the perception that calories are just related to food but it’s actually a general energy term and can be interpreted in all fields of energy. Most of us are familiar with calories through tags on things we buy, such as candy, which has 120 calories or a burger which has 230 calories or my favorite, cheesecake, which is full of calories! The main source of calories is carbohydrates and proteins.
People are usually concerned about calories when they are conscious about their weight. So are calories not good for the body? Actually the opposite is true. Every human body, big or small, needs the required amount of calories as they grow. Kids of a younger age may need fewer calories than an adult man. The ratio of calories to weight in women is greater then men, especially when they reach the age of puberty.
People, who are over weight or obese, have to be very careful that not to intake more calories than is prescribed by their health consultant. The calories which are left over in excess are converted to fat and can cause health issues. Most people are of the view that they have to burn all the calories they have consumed in order to remain fit but this is not all true. The body needs energy and the energy for your body is in the form of calories. We require calories for pumping of blood, for muscle movement and other mechanical workings of the body. Our bodies "burn" the calories through metabolic processes, in which enzymes break the carbohydrates into glucose and other sugars, the fats into glycerol, fatty acids and proteins into amino acids.
Daily calorie intake is different for every person. It depends on the activities and nature of work you are occupied with. People with strenuous jobs and active habits are usually advised to take more calories as compared to those who are usually focused on desk jobs and minimum movements. This is because the calorie burning process in such people will be minimal and more calories will result in fat build up. There are different charts available online which can guide you with your level of intake. Complete fitness programs are also available on the web.
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