YumSugar

Are Rejected Melons the Next Form of Renewable Energy?

YumSugar — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:00:03 -0700

A colossal food fight is one way to use up the season's supply of subpar produce. But scientists have discovered another: convert rejected fruits into biofuel. The study, conducted by USDA researchers and published in the journal Biotechnology For Biofuels, found that the 360,000 tons of fruit rejected by US retailers each year could be converted into roughly two million gallons of biofuel. Research team leader Wayne Fish said that 50 percent of the fruit, which is typically left in the fields and not sold due to cosmetic imperfections, is fermentable into ethanol, which can be used as fuel, “We’ve shown that the juice of these melons is a source of readily fermentable sugars, representing a heretofore untapped feedstock for ethanol biofuel production." I'd never considered that fruit could be a viable source of renewable energy - but I find it refreshing (although perhaps not as refreshing as, say, an In-Sandíary).

Are you surprised to hear that watermelon could have potential past the typical Summer barbecue?

The Importance of Eating as a Family

partysugar — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 03:00:17 -0700

Eating together as a family was always a priority for my parents. My siblings and I would sit down, at the same time, to enjoy dinner as often as our busy schedules permitted. Usually, my mom and dad made us turn off the TV in an effort to get us focusing on the food and on the family.

However, a new study released by the University of Minnesota and reported in the New York Times shows that the television doesn't play a role in affecting dining habits. According to the article, the results were quite surprising:

Families who watched TV at dinner ate just about as healthfully as families who dined without it. The biggest factor wasn’t whether the TV was on or off, but whether the family was eating the meal together.

The study also showed that girls are less likely to have body image problems and boys consume more vegetables when eating accompanied by their parents.

All of this makes me wonder, how often do you eat with your family? Did you eat with your parents when you were little? If so, was the TV on or off?

Source

A Cure To Peanut Allergies?

partysugar — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 12:03:31 -0700

A few weeks ago, Yum and I were discussing peanut allergies. The allergy - which leaves many unable to consume the childhood staple of peanut butter & jelly sandwiches - affects thousands of schools, children, and families . Even the smallest amount of peanut oil can cause severe reactions. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a magical way to cure peanut allergies? He's no magician, but Mohamed Ahmedna, a food science professor may have discovered an enzyme that will reduce the effect of peanut allergies. The enzyme locates the peanut allergies in the body and deactivates them before any shock reactions can form.

If additional research confirms Ahmedna's findings, more people, many of them young children, will be able to eat peanuts and peanut-containing products safely. Food processors will be able to use peanuts more freely. New peanut-based products could be created.

While there is very positive hope that the peanut-allergy fighting enzymes will be mass marketed and produced, Ahmedna's findings have yet to be reviewed by the scientific community. Once the enzyme has been patented, the studies will be released.

Do you know anyone with a peanut allergy? Pass the positive news along!

Source: New's Record
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McDonald's Advertising Tricks Children's Tastebuds

partysugar — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 10:28:34 -0700

In a recent study performed by Stanford University, young children were given identical snacks in two distinct packages. Some of it was in an unmarked wrapper and the rest was wrapped in a McDonald's label. In each and every test, the youngsters concluded that the food in McDonald's wrappers tasted better than the blank labels.

Study author Dr. Tom Robinson said the kids' perception of taste was "physically altered by the branding."

The study included McDonald's chicken nuggets, hamburgers, and fries, as well as grocery store carrots, milk, and juice. Children were asked whether one tasted better or if they tasted the same. Knowing that the ones in McDonald's wrappers were the clear favorites, I have to wonder if establishing controls on products marketed to children is a good idea after all. What do you guys think?

Source: CNN and Chow Grinder
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Are Men Overwhelmed By The Grocery Store?

YumSugar — Wed, 30 May 2007 03:38:10 -0700

Ladies, looks like you better stop sending those guys to the grocery store. Turns out they're overwhelmed.

A recent report, creatively entitled "Men in Grocery Stores," discovered that men shop inefficiently and never ask for help (I could probably insert some stereotypical male joke here, but will leave the laughs for GiggleSugar).

Unlike female shoppers, males give more thought to convenience than price and are more likely to hone in on a specific product, ignoring the rest of the aisle and "circling back" to get items missed the first time. However, if they can't find it, then they just don't need it.

Many men have difficulty finding items, forego buying rather than risk purchasing a substitute for an item on the grocery list and hesitate to ask for help if they can't find an item.

What do you folks think? Ladies, does this describe your guys? Guys, does this describe you?

Source: Yahoo News via The Kitchen @ Apartment Therapy

Does Soda Mess With Your DNA?

YumSugar — Tue, 29 May 2007 06:58:31 -0700

All of you soda drinkers might want to pay attention to this one. A new study from Britain's Sheffield University is linking sodium benzoate, a preservative found in some sodas, to cell damage. Research is suggesting that the preservative has the ability to switch vital parts of DNA.

Professor Peter Piper, a professor of molecular biology and biotechnology, tested the impact of sodium benzoate on living yeast cells in his laboratory. What he found alarmed him: the benzoate was damaging an important area of DNA in the "power station" of cells known as the mitochondria.

He told The Independent on Sunday: "These chemicals have the ability to cause severe damage to DNA in the mitochondria to the point that they totally inactivate it: they knock it out altogether."

It can be identified in soft drinks by the phrase "sodium benzoate" or E211. Oh and in case you were wondering, it is also used in fireworks as a powder that makes the whistling noises.

This is not the first time sodium benzoate has found its way into the spotlight. In March of 2006, the Food & Drug Administration was said to be running tests on whether or not combined with ascorbic acid, heat and light, it forms benzene, a known carcinogen.

Source: The Independent via Boing Boing

Hyper Kids? Try Fewer Artificially Colored Foods

YumSugar — Mon, 14 May 2007 06:58:31 -0700

You might want to keep your kids away from the crazy colored foods. A new British study is showing a link between artificial food coloring and hyperactivity in children. Scientists at England's University of Southampton, tested five different colorings on both three-year olds and eight and nine year olds. The amounts used in the study were comparable to that which an average child might consume in a day. All additives tested in the study are ones that are approved for use in the EU - however some of those colors are banned in the US (as well as Scandinavian countries). The full findings are not yet available, but should be published soon. Somehow I'm not surprised, a 2004 study showed similar results.

Source: Press TV