CHEM181notes.docx - 1 Topic 1 Intro Lesson 1 Sampling of...

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Topic 1: Intro
Lesson 1: Sampling of food topics
(topic.lesson.video)
1.1.2:
- pomegranates have anticancer properties because it contains aromatase inhibitors .
o Breast cancer cell pomegranates juice multiply slower.
- Dried apricots in foothills of Himalayas
o Contains beta-carotene (an antioxidant)
o Apricot extracts or apricots pits sold as health item
 However, laetrile is extracted from apricot pits. Laetrile is a bogus cancer remedy
 The research says apricots contain cyanide, and cyanide can preferentially can kill cancer cells .
1.1.3:
- Flaxseed
o Contains omega-3 fats . (not as biologically active as the ones found in fish)
 Reduction in risk of cardiac arrhythmia, and the stories about pregnant women with flax seeds in
their data giving birth to more intelligent children.
o Contains lignans
 Estrogen-like properties
 Phytoestrogen , or plant-based estrogens (controversial chemical, because chemicals that acts
like estrogen can have strong biological effects, both pros/cons)
 Eating lignans can have effect on breast cancer (effect has only been seen in
premenopausal, overweight women)
 Intake of flax seeds (liganans) reduces risk of breast cancer .
o Some breast cancers are stimulated by overproduction of estrogen.
o Lignans blocks estrogen receptors
o Contains all kinds of fiber (both soluble and insoluble)
 Fiber is indigestible
 Fiber is manipulated by bacteria in colon . (some of it is absorbed, while rest is excreted) –
laxative effect
 Soluble fiber can reduce cholesterol
 Insoluble fiber has beneficial effect of speeding substances through the gut , regulating
us.
o Making bread/bagel with flaxseed
- Omega-3 eggs
o Eggs linked to heart disease, because egg yolk contains large amount (~300mg) of cholesterol.
 High blood level of cholesterol linked to heart disease
 Not the same as saying egg is linked to heart disease, but the market still thinks that eggs are
danger.
 Sales of fish have been increasing
o Benefits of omega-3 X (or omega-3 fats)
o How can egg market use this fact with omega-3?
 How to get omega-3 fats in to egg?

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 Feed fish meal to the chickens (side affect: making the egg fishy)
 Feed flaxseed to the chickens (increase omega-3 fat level in the egg)
- Trans fat
o Trans fat used (donut example) because it does not break down easily
 Trans fat raises the level of cholesterol
o Oat bran can lower cholesterol level
 oat bran used to be common animal feed
 how much oat bran we need it to have effect on cholesterol level?
 A soluble fiber called Beta glucan lowers the cholesterol level (3g/day)
o 1 cup of oat bran
o 3-5 muffins
o 1.5 cups of oatmeal (very good!)
o 5 servings of Cheerios (not easy, not good because of sugar content)
1.1.4:
- Use of calcium propionate as preservatives for food (ex, white bread)
o Propionate are does not have negative effect on health.