Table 4.

Properties of macronutrients

Properties	Fat	Protein	Carbohydrate	Alcohol
kcal/g (kJ/g)	9 (38)	4 (17)	4 (17)	7 (29)
Energy density	High	Low	Low	High
Thermic effect (as % of energy content)	2–3%	25–30%	6–8%	15–20%
Storage capacity	High	None	Low	None
Autoregulation	Poor	Good	Good	Poor
Ability to suppress hunger	Low	High	High	Negative (stimulating)