Ever wondered how the energy to power a light bulb compares to our daily calorie burn? Dive into this article by Cape’s William Raynar to uncover the surprising connections between the science of calories, hibernating bears, and smart investing strategies.

Calories unveiled

The concept of calories, introduced in the 19th century by French physicist Nicolas Clément, originally had nothing to do with food. Clément defined a calorie as the energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 degree Celsius. Later, scientist Wilbur Olin Atwater applied this concept to food, using calorimeters to measure the energy content in various foods. He discovered that carbohydrates, proteins, and fats provide different amounts of energy (4, 4, and 9 kcal per gram, respectively), thus giving birth to the idea of food calories. Our bodies work like finely tuned power plants converting food into energy. Interestingly, the brain, our most energy-hungry organ, consumes about 20% of our daily intake. However, despite its high energy demands, engaging in intellectual activities doesn’t burn many more calories, only an additional 16 to 18 calories per day. So, while brainpower is vital, it’s not a particularly efficient way to shed some weight.

The hibernating bear

Weight loss occurs when the body burns more energy than it consumes. This principle is clearly illustrated by hibernating bears, which can lose 15% to 30% of their body weight during months without food. On average, men burn about 100 kcal per hour and women around 80 kcal, with this rate dropping by 20% during sleep. The Chenot Palace Weggis leverages this natural mechanism by providing "patients" with just 850 calories a day while encouraging physical activity. Given that one kilogram of fat is roughly equivalent to 7'700 calories, Chenot’s regimen can lead to a daily weight loss of 300 to 500 grams.

Bathtubs and marathons: The energy connection

Converting kilocalories to watts offers a tangible way to comprehend energy use. Since 1 kilocalorie (kcal) equals 1.163 watts per hour, powering a 100-watt light bulb for one hour requires about 86 kcal, the energy contained in a medium-sized apple. An average cyclist generating 100 watts for an hour could travel about 20 kilometres on flat terrain. Using Clément's formula, heating a 150-liter bath from 20°C to 40°C would need about 3'000 kcal, the energy equivalent of a marathon.

Bright women and warm men

Remarkably, the energy consumption of a 100-watt bulb mirrors the average woman’s daily calorie burn, just as heating a 120-liter bathtub aligns with a man’s daily energy use. However, the human body is far more efficient, using that energy to power a complex, thinking organism. In contrast, the world around us demands far more energy. Just as an efficient body uses calories wisely, an efficient company uses its capital to produce higher earnings, which in turn drive stock prices and dividends. Investing in companies with robust earnings is like betting on a finely-tuned machine, it's all about getting the most value from each unit of energy, or in this case, each dollar invested.

“Eat to live, not live to eat”

– Socrates

Article by William Raynar