Nutrition: A Very Short Introduction

In this Very Short Introduction, David Bender explains the basic elements of food, the balance between energy intake and exercise, the problems of over- and under-nutrition, and raises questions on the safety of nutritional supplements.

Looking broadly at what constitutes nutrition, Bender provides insight into a topic of wide interest and importance in today's world. With a look at diet in relation to nutrition, this Very Short Introduction provides an overview of the biochemistry of nutrition and the health risks associated with poor nutrition- including obesity and types of food allergies. It provides an essential guide to effectively understand the principles of, and necessary reasons for, a healthy diet.

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David Bender is Emeritus Professor of Nutritional Biochemistry, University College London. He
has authored and co-authored several texts on nutrition, including Introduction to Nutrition and Medicine (CRC Press), now going into its 5th edition, the A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition (2009), and Food Tables and Labelling (1999, with Arnold E. Bender). His research interests have been in the field of amino acid and vitamin nutritional biochemistry.