eli5 if we get energy from the food we eat does this mean the food (matter) is converted into energy ? .

Question

I thought matter to energy conversion are only possible in nuclear reactors. Also if you’re fat and exercise to lose weight does this mean you have converted your matter into energy?

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Answer 1

The energy is contained within chemical bonds, which get broken apart by combining with inhaled oxygen. Those bonds do in theory have a mass, but the number so tiny that it can’t be measured. All the matter of food is excreted as smaller more stable molecules of water, carbon dioxide and urea.