Which term refers to substances in foods that are required by the body?

The term that refers to substances in foods required by the body is nutrients. Nutrients are essential compounds that support various bodily functions, including growth, metabolism, and overall health. They include macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, as well as micronutrients like vitamins and minerals. Each of these nutrients plays a vital role in maintaining health and ensuring the body's processes operate effectively. Understanding nutrients and their functions is fundamental in human nutrition, as they provide the energy and materials necessary for the body's development, maintenance, and repair.

Health literacy relates to a person's ability to obtain, process, and understand basic health information, which aids in making informed health decisions but does not specifically define the substances in foods. Nutrition literacy involves the understanding of nutritional concepts to apply them effectively to diet choices; it encompasses broader knowledge but does not refer directly to the substances in foods. Environmental factors pertain to external influences, such as pollution or access to healthy food, that can affect health and nutrition but are not substances in foods themselves. Therefore, nutrients is the most accurate term for describing the components in foods that the body needs.