How Does Your Body Make Energy?

Energy comes from the food we eat – our bodies digest the food by breaking it down with enzymes and other important molecules, starting with the saliva in our mouths down to the stomach that is rich with stomach acid. Carbohydrates (which are simply sugars and starches) are broken down into another type of sugar, known as glucose; proteins and fats also provide energy but this process takes a bit longer to work. To enable the energy system to function a lot of other nutrients are required – B vitamins, magnesium, manganese, amino acids and fatty acids – so a varied diet is hugely important to ensure you are getting all of these. And most importantly, none of this can happen without oxygen and water! So taking exercise and making sure you are never dehydrated is key to building up your energy levels.