Category: Consumer science

Over 90% of a typical diet soft drink is water, a fact that often surprises consumers who assume the most prominent ingredients are the sweeteners. When considering the question, “Is Pepsi Max mainly water?” the answer is a resounding yes, although the 'carbonated' part of that water is key.

Over 90% of a finished cotton fiber is pure cellulose, a complex carbohydrate distinct from starch. The question, 'is there starch in cotton?', is common because of confusion about the plant's overall biology versus the fiber's final composition, and the widespread practice of adding starch during textile manufacturing.

Over 50% of American adults take a dietary supplement, a market with ancient roots but modern complexity. But who made the supplements we see today, and how did a tradition of using natural remedies evolve into a multi-billion dollar industry?

According to nutritional data, a single 4-ounce king-size Snickers bar can contain a staggering 555 calories, placing it among the most calorie-dense candy bars on the market. The answer to what candy bar has the most calories largely depends on the portion size, with larger options containing more total energy.

Despite claims of miraculous health benefits, scientific consensus and basic human physiology explain why Kangen water doesn't work as a 'cure-all'. The body's homeostatic mechanisms are far too robust for ionized water to significantly alter its pH balance.

Research indicates that households with higher incomes often acquire a more nutritious mix of foods, a finding confirmed by studies examining socioeconomic status and diet quality. This highlights the profound impact of various determinants on dietary habits, a central focus of home economics education.

While leather is predominantly made of collagen protein, the tanning process involving toxic chemicals makes it completely inedible and harmful for human consumption. Historically, people in desperate situations consumed leather, but it was not nutritionally viable and caused serious health problems. The key to understanding this lies in the stark difference between raw, digestible collagen and chemically treated, stabilized leather.

While regular sodas contain about 90% water, diet soft drinks can be up to 99% water. This fact prompts the question: is Diet Pepsi 99% water, or is this just a marketing myth? Delving into the ingredients reveals the answer and provides valuable insights into what you're really consuming.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), commercially bottled water has an unlimited shelf life if properly produced and sealed. So, does packaged water go bad? The truth is, while the water itself doesn't expire, the plastic bottle it comes in does degrade, which can affect the water’s taste, odor, and quality over time.

Back in the 1980s, the fast-food chain A&W introduced a 1/3 pound burger to compete with McDonald's Quarter Pounder. But despite being larger and cheaper, it failed because most Americans mistakenly thought the 1/4 pound burger was bigger. This famous marketing blunder highlights a common confusion over fractions, prompting the question: which is bigger, a 1/3 or 1/4 burger? The answer is a simple matter of mathematics, but its real-world implications tell a memorable story about consumer perception.