Do vitamins, minerals, and water provide energy for the body?

Vitamins, minerals, and water do not provide energy for the body in the way that macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats do. Instead, their primary roles involve supporting various bodily functions, such as facilitating metabolic processes and maintaining homeostasis.

Vitamins play crucial roles as coenzymes and cofactors in metabolic reactions, helping in the conversion of macronutrients into energy. Minerals are essential for key bodily functions, including the formation of bones and teeth, muscle function, and nerve signaling. Water is vital for hydration, the regulation of body temperature, and is essential for transporting nutrients and waste products in the body. While they all contribute significantly to overall health, they do not themselves provide caloric energy.

This clarification helps reinforce the understanding that only macronutrients serve as the body's sources of energy, while vitamins, minerals, and water play supporting and regulatory roles.