Editing Human nutrition (section)

== Other substances ==
=== Alcohol (ethanol) ===
Pure ethanol provides 7 calories per gram. For [[distilled spirit]]s, a standard serving in the United States is 1.5 fluid ounces, which at 40% ethanol (80 proof), would be 14 grams and 98 calories.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/appendix-9/#footnote2 | title=Appendix 9. Alcohol | website=health.gov | access-date=2020-01-03 | archive-date=2020-02-01 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201134130/https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/appendix-9/#footnote2 | url-status=live}}</ref> Wine and beer contain a similar range of ethanol for servings of 5 ounces and 12 ounces, respectively, but these beverages also contain non-ethanol calories. A 5-ounce serving of wine contains 100 to 130 calories. A 12-ounce serving of beer contains 95 to 200 calories.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://deanofstudents.cua.edu/alcohol/alcohol-facts/nutrition.cfm | title=Alcohol and Nutrition: The Calorie and Carb Breakdown! | website=The Catholic University of America | access-date=2020-01-03 | archive-date=2019-10-01 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001114847/http://deanofstudents.cua.edu/alcohol/alcohol-facts/nutrition.cfm | url-status=live}}</ref> According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, based on [[NHANES]] 2013–2014 surveys, women ages 20 and up consume on average 6.8 grams/day and men consume on average 15.5 grams/day.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ars.usda.gov/ARSUserFiles/80400530/pdf/1314/Table_1_NIN_GEN_13.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212091141/https://www.ars.usda.gov/ARSUserFiles/80400530/pdf/1314/Table_1_NIN_GEN_13.pdf | archive-date=2017-02-12 | url-status=live | title=What We Eat in America, NHANES 2013–2014}}</ref> Ignoring the non-alcohol contribution of those beverages, the average ethanol calorie contributions are 48 and 108 cal/day. Alcoholic beverages are considered [[empty calorie]] foods because other than calories, these contribute no essential nutrients.

=== Phytochemicals ===
{{Main|Phytochemical}}
{{See also|List of antioxidants in food}}

Phytochemicals such as [[polyphenol]]s are compounds produced naturally in plants (phyto means "plant" in Greek). In general, the term identifies compounds that are prevalent in plant foods, but are not proven to be essential for human nutrition, as of 2018. There is no conclusive evidence in humans that polyphenols or other non-nutrient compounds from plants confer health benefits, mainly because these compounds have poor [[bioavailability]], i.e., following ingestion, they are digested into smaller [[metabolite]]s with unknown functions, then are rapidly eliminated from the body.<ref>{{cite journal | pmc=2871118 | year=2010 | last1=d'Archivio | first1=M. | title=Bioavailability of the polyphenols: status and controversies | journal=International Journal of Molecular Sciences | volume=11 | issue=4 | pages=1321–42 | last2=Filesi | first2=C. | last3=Varì | first3=R. | last4=Scazzocchio | first4=B. | last5=Masella | first5=R. | pmid=20480022 | doi=10.3390/ijms11041321 | doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name="acs">{{cite web | url=https://www.cancer.org/healthy/eat-healthy-get-active/acs-guidelines-nutrition-physical-activity-cancer-prevention/common-questions.html?_ga=2.57358826.1597423548.1542983382-1390869997.1542983382 | title=Common questions about diet and cancer | date=5 February 2016 | publisher=[[American Cancer Society]] | access-date=23 November 2018 | archive-date=23 November 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123201755/https://www.cancer.org/healthy/eat-healthy-get-active/acs-guidelines-nutrition-physical-activity-cancer-prevention/common-questions.html?_ga=2.57358826.1597423548.1542983382-1390869997.1542983382 | url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Colorfull.jpg|thumb|Colorful fruits and vegetables may be components of a healthy diet.]]