Are all macronutrients equal?

No, not all macronutrients are considered equal. The primary macronutrients—carbohydrates, fats, and proteins—serve different roles in the body.

1. Carbohydrates and fats: These are primarily used for energy. When consumed, they are converted into energy to power various bodily functions such as breathing, heartbeats, and movement 1.

2. Proteins: Their primary role differs, as they are mostly used for building and repairing tissues, including muscle mass, rather than as a main energy source 1.

Furthermore, the thermic effect of food (TEF), which is the amount of energy expended to digest and metabolize nutrients, varies among macronutrients. For example:

• Fats: Have a TEF of 0-3%, meaning if you consume 100 calories of fat, you retain about 97-100 calories.
• Carbohydrates: Have a TEF of 5-10%.
• Proteins: Are more thermogenic, with a TEF of 20-30%, meaning you expend more energy to metabolize protein, retaining about 70-80 calories out of 100 2.

In summary, while all macronutrients provide energy, they vary in their functions and the efficiency of energy utilization in the body.