Calorific value of food

Food contains some basic classes, such as carbohydrate, protein and fat.
All of these basic classes produce different quantities of energy when
burned. The total amount of energy released when 1g of food is burned
completely in the body is called energy value or calorific value. This total
energy is measured in units of calorie (cal) or joule (J). The calorific value
of food indicates the total amount of energy, a human body could
generate during its metabolism which is expressed in Kilojoules
per 100 grams or 100 ml. The calorific value of food is generally
expressed in kilocalories i.e. kcal.

The caloric value of a foodstuff can be determined by measuring the

heat produced when a given amount is completely burnt in
oxygen. It is done in a 'bomb calorimeter' where the oxygen is put in
under considerable pressure. Since it requires a calorimeter of robust
construction, it has been called a bomb calorimeter.

Calorific value is the energy or amount of heat produced as a result of the

complete combustion of a unit volume of the substance. It is important
as it gives the value of fuel or food in numbers which can be
calculated with a formula.

Example: Calorific value calculation

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