Which term refers to a chemical substance in food that nourishes the body in a specific way?

The correct answer is the term that broadly encompasses any chemical substance in food that provides nourishment to the body. Nutrients are essential for various bodily functions, including growth, metabolism, and overall health. They include carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals, each serving specific roles in maintaining health and supporting physiological processes.

Nutrients are fundamental because they directly affect how the body operates, providing energy, aiding in the repair and maintenance of tissues, and regulating bodily functions. This term commonly aligns with discussions in health and nutrition, emphasizing the importance of various substances necessary for a balanced diet.

In contrast, minerals are a type of nutrient, specifically inorganic elements essential for numerous bodily functions, but the term “nutrient” encompasses a wider range of food components. Additives and preservatives are substances added to food for safety or taste enhancement but do not specifically nourish the body in the same way that nutrients do. Therefore, when considering nourishment in a holistic sense, the term that best fits is nutrient.