Calorie
(Redirected from Calories)
The calorie is a pre-SI unit of energy, synonymous with heat. A calorie is defined as the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one gram of water (specific heat capacity = 4,184 J kg-1 K-1)[1] by one K (= °C + 273).[2]
Applications
On food labels, calorie refers to kilocalories (kilo- = 103), which equals to 1000 calories. As such, the word calorie is usually written with a capital C.
In simple words, calories are a way to measure energy. Our bodies get calories from the food we eat. If we eat more calories than we use, the body stores the extra energy as fat.[3] How the body uses a calorie can depend on whether it comes from fat, protein, or carbohydrates.[4]
Related pages
References
- ↑ Specific Heat Capacity and Water | U.S. Geological Survey. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) (June 6, 2018). Retrieved December 1, 2024.
- ↑ Kelvin (K) | Definition & Facts. Britannica (October 21, 2024). Retrieved December 1, 2024.
- ↑ Understanding calories (in en). NHS website for England (2021-11-04). Retrieved 2025-07-10.
- ↑ Taubes, Gary. What Makes You Fat: Too Many Calories, or the Wrong Carbohydrates? (in en). Scientific American (2013-09-01). Retrieved 2025-07-10.
