How does the body use calories and how many calories does it burn at rest?

The human body needs the energy to maintain basic life processes and function normally.

About 20% of the energy we take in is used for the brain’s metabolism. Most of the remaining 80% is used to cover the needs of basal metabolism. This is the energy we need when we are at rest for functions such as breathing, digestion, blood circulation, maintaining body temperature.

For example, in a cold environment, the body needs more energy to maintain constant body temperature as the metabolism increases to produce more heat. And in a warm environment, it needs less energy.

We also need energy for the skeletal muscles that hold our posture and participate in the movement.

How do we calculate the calories our body consumes at rest?

A popular way to estimate basal metabolic rate (BMR) is through the Harris-Benedict formula, which takes into account weight, height, age, and gender.