kilókalóríum

A kilocalorie, often abbreviated as kcal, is a unit of energy. It is equivalent to 1,000 calories. In nutrition, the term "calorie" commonly refers to a kilocalorie, making the distinction between calorie and kilocalorie a frequent point of confusion. One kilocalorie represents the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water by one degree Celsius.

The kilocalorie is a standard unit for measuring the energy content of food and the energy expenditure of the human body through metabolism and physical activity. Food labels typically list the energy content in kilocalories, often alongside kilojoules, another unit of energy. Understanding kilocalories helps individuals manage their dietary intake and energy balance. For example, consuming more kilocalories than the body expends can lead to weight gain, while expending more kilocalories than consumed can result in weight loss. The precise energy provided by different macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) is also expressed in kilocalories per gram.