Khaberni - Sports nutrition expert Bethan Cruz from Loughborough University told "The Guardian" that men generally need more calories than women, but this is not an absolute rule that applies to everyone.
Cruz explained that the average daily energy needs for adults range about 2,500 calories for men and 2,000 for women, with these numbers varying according to age and physical activity.
Cruz pointed out that the main reason behind men's higher energy needs is their higher basal metabolic rate, due to their greater muscle mass compared to women, who tend to retain a higher percentage of fat, adding that muscles burn more calories than fat even at rest.
Cruz said that these differences are mainly due to hormones, where the hormone testosterone promotes muscle growth in men. Even when comparing a man and a woman of the same height, weight, and level of physical activity, their calorie needs may differ, for example, a woman with more muscle may need more calories than an average man.
The expert added that long-term diets can lower the basal metabolic rate, which temporarily reduces the body's energy needs.
Cruz confirmed that determining the ideal amount of calories for each person requires considering individual factors such as body composition, age, activity level, and dietary habits, noting that sites like NHS and WebMD provide useful guidelines for estimating personal energy needs.
She concluded by saying that averages show that men generally need more calories than women, but the more accurate measurement is based on each individual's physiology and lifestyle rather than relying only on general figures.
