Calorie

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]

References

  1. ↑ "Specific Heat Capacity and Water | U.S. Geological Survey". U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). June 6, 2018. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Kelvin (K) | Definition & Facts". Britannica. October 21, 2024. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  3. ↑ "Understanding calories". NHS website for England. 2021-11-04. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  4. ↑ Taubes, Gary (2013-09-01). "What Makes You Fat: Too Many Calories, or the Wrong Carbohydrates?". Scientific American. Retrieved 2025-07-10.


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