Empty calories

Granulated sugar supplies energy, but no nutrition other than calories

In human nutrition, the term empty calories applies to foods and beverages composed primarily or solely of sugar, certain fats and oils, or alcohol-containing beverages.^{[citation needed]} These supply food energy but little to no other nutrition in the way of vitamins, minerals, protein, fibre, or essential fatty acids. Fat contributes nine calories per gram, ethanol seven calories, and sugar four calories. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) advises, "A small amount of empty calories is okay, but most people eat far more than is healthy."^[1] The phrase is derived from low nutrient density, which is the proportion of nutrients in a food relative to its energy content.^[2]

Considering energy foods as adequate nutrition was first scientifically demonstrated to be false by François Magendie by experiments on dogs and described in his Précis élémentaire de Physiologie. He showed that eating only sugar, olive oil, or butter, each led to the death of his test animals in 30 to 40 days.^[3]

Examples[]

The following foods are often considered^[4][5][6][7] to contain mostly empty calories and may lead to weight gain:

• Sugar: cake, cookies, sweets, candy, soft drinks, fruit-flavored sweet beverages and other foods containing mostly added sugars (including High-fructose corn syrup).
• Fat: margarine, shortening and other fats and oils.
• Alcohol: beer, wine, hard spirits and other alcoholic beverages. While moderate amounts can lead to weight gain, chronic consumption of large amounts of alcohol can lead to weight loss because alcoholic liver disease is characterized by an increased metabolic rate and impaired muscle protein synthesis, resulting in sarcopenia.^[8]

Impact on other nutrients[]

A diet high in added sugar typically reduces consumption of foods that contain essential nutrients. One review reported that for increases in consumption of added sugars, nutrients at most risk for inadequacy were vitamins A, C, E, and magnesium. For these, nutrient intake was less with each 5% increase in added sugars intake.^[9]

A diet high in alcohol can have the same effect. According to one review, "Micronutrient deficiencies occur in patients with ALD because the major proportion of calories derived from alcohol lack minerals and vitamins. Specific emphasis is necessary for zinc, vitamin D, thiamine, folate, cyanocobalamin, and selenium." People with ALD also display sarcopenia, but it is not clear if this is due to chronic low protein intake or the disease, which is known to inhibit muscle protein synthesis.^[8]

Allowable intake without impacting health[]

Food energy intake must be balanced with activity to maintain a proper body weight. Sedentary individuals and those eating less to lose weight may suffer malnutrition if they eat food supplying empty calories but not enough nutrients.^[10][11] In contrast, people who engage in heavy physical activity need more food energy as fuel, and so can have a larger amount of calorie-rich, essential nutrient-poor foods. Dietitians and other healthcare professionals prevent malnutrition by designing eating programs and recommending dietary modifications according to patient's needs.^[12][13]

The USDA advises the following levels of empty calorie consumption as an upper limit for individuals who engage in 30 minutes or less of moderate exercise daily.^[14]

See also[]

• Junk food
• Whole food

References[]

External links[]

• "Adequate Nutrients Within Calorie Needs". Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005. Retrieved 2006-05-09.