Nutrition : a very short introduction

Why eat? -- Energy nutrition -- Protein nutrition -- Over-nutrition - problems of overweight and obesity -- Diet and health -- Under-nutrition -- Vitamins and minerals -- Functional foods, superfoods, and supplements.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Nutrition is a topic of wide interest and importance. In spite of growing understanding of the underlying biochemistry, and health campaigns such as 'five-a-day', increasing obesity and reported food allergies and eating disorders, as well as the widely advertised 'supposed' benefits of food supplements mean that a clear explanation of the basic principles of a healthy diet are vital. In this Very Short Introduction, David Bender explains the basic elements of food, the balance between energy intake and exercise, the problems of over- and under-nutrition, and raises the question of safety of nutritional supplements.