Which nutrients do NOT provide calories?

Vitamins are classified as micronutrients, which means they are required by the body in smaller amounts compared to macronutrients like fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. While the latter three provide energy measured in calories—essential for sustaining bodily functions and fueling activities—vitamins do not provide calories because they do not contain usable energy for the body's metabolic processes. Instead, vitamins play a crucial role in various biochemical functions, such as supporting the immune system, aiding in metabolism, and promoting overall health, but they do so without contributing energy in the form of calories. This distinction is essential for understanding nutrition and dietary balance, as it highlights the necessity of vitamins for health despite their lack of caloric content.