Coca-Cola - Nutrition Connection - Nutrients Glossary

Coca-Cola - Nutrition Connection - Nutrients Glossary: "Nutrients Glossary"

Nutrients play an important role in health—they build and repair tissues, give energy and regulate body processes. Learn about some of the common nutrients found in your favorite beverages.

Calcium

A mineral which is a major component of bones and teeth.

Calories

The measurement of the amount of energy or fuel that foods and beverages provide your body. 2000 calories per day is considered the average amount needed, but many people, especially women, need less. When you consume more calories that your body needs, you gain weight.

Carbohydrates

Sugars and starches which provide fuel (energy) for the body; (Total Carbohydrates on the Nutrition Facts Panel also includes dietary fiber)

Dietary Fiber

Carbohydrates which cannot be completely digested by the human body; provide "bulk" to help food move through the intestinal track.

Fat (Total)

Fat is a major source of fuel energy (calories) for the body, and provides twice the number of calories per gram than either carbohydrates or protein. Dietary fat helps your body absorb essential nutrients like vitamins A, D, E and K. Your body needs a certain amount of certain types of fat to make essential substances, such as hormones. Fat is used to build essential body components (cell walls, hormones), carry fat-soluble vitamins, and store fuel for energy. There are different types of dietary fat: saturated fat, trans fat, polyunsaturated fat, monounsaturated fat, and cholesterol. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 recommends a diet low in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol for heart health.

Fluoride

Is best known for its role in helping to maintain healthy teeth, but it is also important for bone health.

Folate

A vitamin important for pregnant women to prevent neural tube birth defects. Orange juice is a good source of folate.

Iron

A mineral that is an essential component of red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body.

Magnesium

Is needed for normal energy metabolism and for normal nerve and muscle function. Magnesium is also needed to build and maintain healthy bones and teeth.

Phosphorus

An essential component of living tissues, both animal and plant. In adults, about 85% of body phosphorus is found in the bone.

Potassium

An important mineral for the regulation of blood pressure. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 recommend that people eat more foods high in potassium, such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. Orange juice is a good source of potassium.

Protein

An essential component of your body; used to build cells, muscles, tissues.

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)

A vitamin needed to help your body convert food into energy (needed for energy metabolism).

Sodium

An important mineral for regulation of the body's water balance. Too much sodium in the diet has been associated with high blood pressure. Sparkling beverages are "low sodium" or "very low sodium" according to the Food and Drug Administration's definitions.

Sugars

The most simple forms of fuel for the body; sugars provide quick energy because they don't need much digesting.

Thiamin (Vitamin B1)

A vitamin needed to help your body convert carbohydrates into energy (needed for carbohydrate metabolism).

Vitamin A / Vitamin A Palmitate

Vitamin A is an essential nutrient needed for normal vision and for the maintenance of healthy skin.

Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)

A vitamin needed for making blood in your body.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

A vitamin needed to process (metabolize) protein from your food to make it useful to the body for building tissues.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

An "antioxidant" vitamin; helps to protect body cells and tissues and helps with skin and wound healing.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is important for bone health as it helps the body use calcium. We use vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) as a source of vitamin D in our products.

Vitamin E / Vitamin E Acetate

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant. It protects body cells by neutralizing free radicals which are damaging molecules.

Vitamin K (Phylloquinone)

A vitamin needed for normal blood clotting. Vitamin K also contributes to the normal structure of bones.