Six types of nutrients are considered essential to the human body. In the United States, the National Institutes of Health publishes the most recent studies into recommended ratios of the essential nutrients. For example, the amount of fat intake advisable in an adult diet is constantly being updated; recent studies suggest total fat intake to be around 30 percent of the diet total. The figure changes as differences in dietary fats are discovered and studied. As information is gathered in one area of dietary research, the holistic picture of all six nutrients can change.
Water
Beside drinking water itself, water is obtained through consumption of beverages like juice and tea and also in solid foods with high water content. Water is essential because it is the path by which all other nutrients are transported. The majority of human body is composed of water.
Minerals
Minerals combine in many formations to build major structures of the body. The calcium content in human bones is a prime example of the phenomenon. Minerals are also important in regulating various body processes, like oxygen transport in the blood via the mineral iron, for example. All essential minerals can be obtained in a well-rounded diet.
Proteins
Protein is found in foods like meats, lentils and fortified grain products. It is an important nutrient because it is used to build and repair cells and human tissue. The immune system relies on protein intake to function effectively. Strict vegetarians may sometimes need to supplement their diets with additional protein.
Vitamins
Vitamins, found in almost every edible foodstuff, are the main regulators of human body processes. Vitamin C, for example, regulates immune function and Vitamin B is implicated in mood regulation. The body cannot easily manufacture vitamins, so they must be obtained through the diet and sometimes, through supplementation.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates, found mostly in grain products, are essential in energy production for the brain, nerves and muscle tissue. Carbohydrates provide the majority of fiber in the diet, which makes them important for adequate digestion and assimilation of food.
Fats
Fats are obtained in the diet from sources of protein like fish and nutmeats. Although fats have gotten a bad reputation in recent decades, modern research continues to point to their importance in building healthy tissue and in the prevention of heart and coronary disease.
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