True or False: Water is an essential nutrient that does not provide energy.

Water is indeed classified as an essential nutrient because it is crucial for various bodily functions, including temperature regulation, nutrient transport, and waste elimination. What makes the statement true is that water does not provide calories or energy in the way that macronutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, and fats do. While those macronutrients are metabolized to produce energy (measured in calories), water does not undergo this metabolic process.

Water assists in biochemical reactions and is vital for maintaining cellular homeostasis, but it is devoid of caloric content, making it essential for health while not contributing to energy intake. This fundamental role of water as a nutrient supports numerous physiological processes without providing energy, confirming the statement's accuracy.