Tag: Science of food

According to the National Institutes of Health, all food is made up of chemical substances, and the human body breaks down these substances through intricate biochemical reactions. This reality confirms that yes, do nutritionists use chemistry as a fundamental pillar of their practice and education.

According to the law of conservation of mass, the mass of a closed system remains constant over time. This scientific principle is key to understanding whether freezing changes the weight of food, a common question for home cooks and health-conscious individuals alike. The answer lies in the distinction between mass and weight and the physical changes that occur during the freezing process.

Less than a century has passed since the first vitamin was isolated, marking the birth of modern nutritional science. With so much conflicting health advice in the digital age, many people still ask: is nutrition considered a science?

On average, a human can only survive for about three weeks without food, a stark contrast to just a few days without water. This reality emphasizes a fundamental biological truth: we need food to be alive because it is the essential fuel and building material for every function in our bodies.

According to researchers at Oxford University, chewing with your mouth open can actually make food taste better by releasing more flavor-rich volatile compounds into the nasal cavity. This finding challenges conventional table manners and reveals the fascinating, science-backed reason that the question, 'Do you taste more with your mouth open?', is so intriguing. The answer, surprisingly, is yes.

Recent studies suggest that consuming soup may help reduce the severity and duration of respiratory infection symptoms, offering a real, scientific basis for why people recommend soup when you're sick. This comfort food is more than just a tradition; it provides genuine physiological benefits that aid your body in recovery.

According to a 2011 study in *Psychological Science*, comfort foods like chicken noodle soup can reduce feelings of loneliness and bring up positive memories. This deep-seated psychological effect, combined with its unique nutritional and physiological benefits, is why chicken noodle soup makes you feel good when you're under the weather or just in need of comfort.

According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture study, a significant amount of alcohol can remain in heated dishes and beverages, debunking the common myth that all alcohol evaporates. This same principle applies to hot tea, meaning it's impossible to completely burn off all alcohol simply by heating it.

Jell-O is a unique material that confounds our typical understanding of the states of matter. While it jiggles like a solid, its composition is mostly liquid, which traps it in a state known as a colloid. The surprising science behind its form involves a network of protein polymers that hold the liquid in place, creating a semi-rigid structure.