Living organisms require adequate nutrients to live a healthy and long life. Nutrients provide energy to the body and protect it from dreadful diseases.
Macronutrients and micronutrients are two main types of nutrients that are required by the body, the former is in large quantities, and the latter is in less.
Key Takeaways
- Macronutrients, including proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, are needed in larger quantities.
- Micronutrients are needed in smaller quantities and include vitamins and minerals.
- Both macronutrients and micronutrients are essential for proper body function and overall health.
Macronutrients vs Micronutrients
The difference between Macronutrients and micronutrients is that macronutrients provide calories that help in the growth of the body, whereas micronutrients provide antioxidants that protect the body from various diseases.
Macronutrients are required in large quantities, while micronutrients are required in small amounts. Macronutrients include fats, carbohydrates, proteins, and water.
The micronutrients include minerals, vitamins, iron, fluorines, and others.
Macronutrients are essential for the proper functioning of tissues and other parts of the body. It is the principle of energy in the body.
Macronutrients are found in foods like meat, seafood, egg, yoghurt, milk, nuts, pulses, beans, water, and others. The human body requires macronutrients more than micronutrients.
On the other hand, micronutrients are required in lesser quantities but protect the body from severe diseases. Micronutrients do not contain calories like macronutrients but antioxidants that protect from diseases.
They are also important for the creation of enzymes. Foods containing micronutrients are fresh green vegetables, fruits, eggs, and dry fruits.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Macronutrients | Micronutrients |
| Function | Macronutrients are the main source of energy, promoting the proper functioning of tissues and cells. | Micronutrients promote the growth of hair, skin, bones and help to maintain the immune system to protect from diseases. |
| Quantity | It is taken in larger quantities. | It is taken in smaller quantities. |
| Types | Fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. | Vitamins, minerals, and other trace elements like iron, copper, and fluorines |
| Food | It is mainly present in meat, seafood, cereals, eggs, nuts, and milk. | It is mainly present in vegetables, fruits, milk, eggs, and dry fruits. |
| Negative impact | Overconsumption results in obesity and diabetes. | Overconsumption results in liver damage. |
What are Macronutrients?
Macronutrients are essential for every living organism. Macronutrients generate energy in the body and help different body parts function. The classification of macronutrients includes fats, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and fibre.
Monosaccharides, amino acids, and fatty acids are the main building blocks of these macronutrients. Glucose, sucrose, fibre, and starch contain carbohydrates. Proteins are rich in amino acids, and fats contain fatty acids.
These are the sources of energy in every living organism, from plants and animals to humans. Carbohydrates and fats are used to generate energy, and proteins are used to ensure the proper functioning of cells and tissues in the body.
The number of macronutrients is measured in grams, and it depends on age, gender, weight, and other parameters. A person has to take up to 35% of calories from proteins per day.
Processed food like meat, pulses, beans, seafood, and nuts contain macronutrients. Water is also a macronutrient that has to be taken 2500 ml per day based on the temperature and climate condition.
Macronutrients are essential for pregnant women as they ensure the baby’s healthy growth. However, excessive consumption of macronutrients will result in diseases like diabetes, heart disease, obesity, improper growth, and others.
What are Micronutrients?
Micronutrients are the other nutrients that are less in quantity in the human body but protect from severe diseases. Micronutrients are taken in smaller amounts as they do not help in energy production.
They include antioxidants that help fight against diseases and support the growth of hair, skin and other parts of the body. Vitamins, minerals, and trace elements are termed micronutrients. Vitamins are not produced within the body.
They are provided externally to ensure the growth of the body. Vitamins are soluble in water and fat. These must be consumed in small quantities regularly to ensure a healthy body.
Minerals like carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen are obtained from nature. Minerals are essential to bind enzymes and regulate the body’s acid-base balance.
Trace elements like iodine, fluoride, copper, magnesium, and others are essential to reduce diseases. The micronutrients are measured in milligrams or micrograms.
Micronutrients are present in fresh fruits, vegetables, cereals, eggs, milk, and yoghurt. These are taken in small in quantity but are essential for the growth of the body.
The deficiency of micronutrients harms the body, such as poor vision, mental health problems, and fatigue. Both micronutrients and macronutrients are essential and have to be taken in an everyday diet.
Fresh fruits, vegetables, and kinds of seafood are rich in both micronutrients and macronutrients. The amount of intake depends on human parameters like gender, age, and health condition.
Main Differences Between Macronutrients and Micronutrients
- Macronutrients are consumed in large quantities, while food containing micronutrients is consumed in small amounts.
- Macronutrients are essential for promoting energy and proper functioning of the body, while micronutrients are essential for promoting the growth of the body.
- Macronutrients are rich in calories, but micronutrient food contains antioxidants instead of calories.
- Fresh fruits and vegetables are rich in micronutrients, while processed foods are rich in calories or macronutrients.
- The concentration of macronutrients is higher in the body than in micronutrients.
- https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/injirr/issue/51783/673621
- https://ijponline.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13052-021-01061-0
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
Thank you for providing detailed information on macronutrients and micronutrients. This will definitely help to improve nutrition knowledge and intake.
This is a very interesting article, we can observe the importance of macronutrients and micronutrients in the body. It is true that both are necessary for providing the body of the necessary nutrients.
I totally agree with you. Nutrients are essential to maintaining overall health.
This is valuable information about macronutrients and micronutrients. Understanding these nutrients is crucial for maintaining a balanced and healthy diet.
The article clearly explains the difference between macronutrients and micronutrients. It’s really helpful information to understand their functions in the body.
The comparison table provided in the article makes it easier to understand the functions and sources of macronutrients and micronutrients. Great effort!
It’s great to learn about the importance of both macronutrients and micronutrients. The article clearly defines their characteristics and the sources in which they are found.
The article provides comprehensive insights into macronutrients and micronutrients. It is a valuable resource for enhancing knowledge regarding nutrition.
The detailed explanations about macronutrients and micronutrients are truly enlightening. I appreciate the comparison and references provided.