What energy expenditure is associated with the digestion and absorption of food?

The energy expenditure associated with the digestion and absorption of food is known as the specific dynamic action (SDA), which is also referred to as the thermic effect of food. This term encompasses the increase in metabolic rate that follows the ingestion of food, as the body requires energy to break down food, absorb nutrients, and process the materials for utilization or storage.

When food is consumed, various physiological processes, including the secretion of digestive enzymes and the movement of the gastrointestinal tract, demand energy. This increase in energy expenditure is significant and accounts for approximately 10% of daily energy expenditure in many individuals, although it varies depending on the composition and quantity of food consumed.

Resting energy expenditure, physical activity energy expenditure, and basal metabolic energy primarily pertain to energy needs at rest or during physical activity and do not specifically address the energy requirements linked to food processing. Therefore, SDA or the thermic effect of food is the essential concept here, directly reflecting the energy costs associated with digestion and absorption.