Essential nutrients are substances that the human body cannot synthesise at all, or cannot produce in amounts sufficient to meet physiological needs, and which must therefore be supplied by the diet. They comprise the essential amino acids, the essential fatty acids such as linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid, the wat…
Essential nutrients are substances that the human body cannot synthesise at all, or cannot produce in amounts sufficient to meet physiological needs, and which must therefore be supplied by the diet. They comprise the essential amino acids, the essential fatty acids such as linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid, the water- and fat-soluble vitamins, the dietary minerals and trace elements, and water, with dietary energy from macronutrients underpinning their use. Each class serves distinct and often interdependent functions: amino acids provide the building blocks for proteins and nitrogenous compounds; essential fatty acids support membrane structure and signalling; vitamins act largely as coenzymes and antioxidants; and minerals contribute to skeletal structure, electrolyte balance, and enzyme function. Adequate intake is defined by reference values that specify requirements across age, sex, and physiological states, and both deficiency and excess produce characteristic clinical consequences. Because no single food supplies all essential nutrients, dietary adequacy depends on variety, balance, and the bioavailability of nutrients from the food matrix. Research relevant to this topic includes the principles of a balanced diet and food-pyramid frameworks, diet quality in children, dietary diversity and nutritional status, functional foods, and analytical methods for characterising food composition. The International Journal of Nutrition publishes peer-reviewed research on nutrient requirements, dietary adequacy, and the role of essential nutrients in health.
12 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.
The 12 articles above have been cited 480 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.
A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Essential Nutrients, linking to each citing work.