Calorific Value

Definition

Calorific value is the amount of energy produced by a food when it is consumed and used by the body. It's often measured in calories or joules.

Scientific / Technical Definition

Calorific value, or energy value, is defined as the total energy released as heat when a specific amount of food is completely metabolized in the body. This value is typically measured in calories (kcal) or kilojoules (kJ), representing the energy available from the specific food source for metabolic processes.

Benefits

• Helps determine the energy content of food.
• Essential for understanding dietary energy requirements.
• Assists in energy balance and weight management.

Examples

• 1 gram of carbohydrates provides approximately 4 kcal.
• 1 gram of protein provides approximately 4 kcal.
• 1 gram of fat provides approximately 9 kcal.

Additional Information

• Importance: Calorific value is important for calculating daily energy intake that matches an individual's energy expenditure, which is crucial for maintaining a healthy body weight.

Related Terms

• Metabolism
• Calorie
• Energy Balance
• Macronutrients

References

• Understanding Calories
• The Science of Calorific Value