Which categories of nutrients do NOT provide energy?

Vitamins, minerals, and water do not provide energy in the form of calories. Instead, these nutrients play crucial roles in various physiological functions.

Vitamins are organic compounds that can assist in energy production by acting as coenzymes in metabolic reactions, but they do not themselves contain calories. Minerals, such as calcium and iron, are inorganic and assist in numerous bodily functions, including structural roles and facilitating enzyme activity, but they also contribute no caloric energy. Water is essential for life, aiding in digestion, nutrient transport, and temperature regulation, yet it too does not provide any energy.

In contrast, fats, carbohydrates, and proteins are macronutrients that do provide energy, measured in calories. While carbohydrates and fats are primary energy sources that the body readily utilizes, proteins primarily serve as building blocks for tissues and would contribute to energy only during times when carbohydrates and fats are insufficient. Thus, the distinction between energy-providing nutrients and non-energy-providing nutrients highlights the vital roles that vitamins, minerals, and water play in maintaining health without directly supplying energy.