Is a calorie just a calorie?
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The idea that a calorie is just a calorie is oversimplified. Though foundational to metabolic science, the notion of "calories in versus calories out" does not capture the full complexity of how different types of calories affect the body.
explains that while the basic formula of consuming fewer calories than you burn can lead to weight loss, the source of these calories matters significantly. Highly processed foods, for instance, can change the way our bodies utilize food, potentially increasing obesity and metabolic syndrome risks 1.
Dr. Robert Lustig, a guest on the , expands on this by highlighting that different types of calories have distinct effects on the body. Foods with similar caloric contents can have vastly different impacts based on their composition. For instance, proteins have a higher thermic effect, meaning they use more energy to digest, thus resulting in fewer net calories 2. Similarly, the quality of fats consumed (e.g., omega-3s versus trans fats) significantly influences health outcomes despite their identical caloric value per gram 3.
In essence, while calories are units of energy, the type and quality of the food from which they come play crucial roles in how they affect weight and overall health.
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