“Hydrocarbon” and “carbohydrate” sound similar but are two very different types of compounds. Hydrocarbons consist of purely carbon and hydrogen, while carbohydrates also contain oxygen. Living organisms metabolize carbohydrates for energy, whereas hydrocarbons are used as fuels and in industrial applications.
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You might have heard recently that microwave popcorn isn't safe because it contains chemicals that can increase your risk of cancer. The most common rumor is that it is associated with lung cancer, but in reality, there's no direct link.
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To benefit from the nutrient molecules in food, you must absorb them into your body where they can nourish your cells. Several different mechanisms for facilitate the absorption of nutrient molecules. To absorb fat, it must first be digested, which is dependent upon a process called emulsification.
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Calcium carbonate is a common, naturally occurring calcium salt that is often used as a source of calcium in supplements. Its abundance in nature makes calcium carbonate the least expensive supplemental calcium salt. It is also a major component of some types of stone that are used in architecture and sculpture.
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You may know that sodium is a mineral you need to maintain cellular health and well being – in fact, so is chloride. Table salt, or sodium chloride, is a source of both these essential minerals. You use sodium and chloride in the process of digesting other compounds, as well as elsewhere in the body.
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If you're pregnant and looking for a good snack or meal replacement, you might be wondering whether protein bars are safe for you to eat.
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Valine and glutamic acid are amino acids with very different structures and properties. They are both building blocks of protein, and sometimes mutations in your DNA can cause substitution of one for the other. This can potentially lead to serious disorders, the most well-known of which is called sickle cell anemia.
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Maltose and lactose are both types of sugar that occur in some foods. They're both carbohydrates, and even though maltose is sweeter than lactose, they both provide you with the same amount of energy. Just as you can use table sugar and starch to fuel your cells, you can also use maltose and lactose.
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If you're lactose intolerant, it's understandable that you would want to find ways to include milk in your diet while minimizing your risk of uncomfortable digestive side effects that accompany dairy consumption.
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When you eat foods -- peanut butter or anything else -- you break down the large nutrient molecules the foods contain into smaller molecules. Your small intestine absorbs these into the bloodstream.
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Cellulose is the chemical name for fiber, which is an important component of diet, even though it doesn't provide you with any vitamins, minerals or energy. Many foods -- especially whole foods -- contain cellulose.
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There are many common misconceptions regarding milk, digestion, intolerances and allergies. Your body uses digestive enzymes in the stomach and intestine to help you digest milk protein; supplemental enzymes or other dietary supplements don't have any additional effect.
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Sodium bicarbonate is a chemical more commonly known as baking soda. It can react with and neutralize acids, which makes it a common home remedy for acid stomach. Your body also uses sodium bicarbonate for several different things, including assisting in digestive function.
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Magnesium hydroxide and magnesium oxide both appear in the active ingredients of certain over-the-counter medications, particularly laxatives. They're very similar in structure and in function; in fact, in the presence of water, magnesium oxide actually turns into magnesium hydroxide.
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Sodium carbonate is more commonly known as washing soda. Like the similar-sounding compound sodium bicarbonate—baking soda—it's basic, and can react with acids. HCl, or hydrochloric acid, is a strong acid that reacts with sodium carbonate.
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Folic acid -- also known as folate and as vitamin B-9 -- is a vitamin you need to help maintain normal cellular function. While you need it all the time, it's of particular importance during pregnancy, and pregnant women generally take larger quantities than non-pregnant women. Despite the word "acid"
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Vinegar and citric acid both have a sour flavor, and they're both common ingredients in foods. They're not, however, the same molecule, nor is one made of the other. While your cells make citric acid as part of normal metabolism, they don't make vinegar.
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During pregnancy, it's important to eat a healthy, balanced diet in order to make sure you're providing your developing fetus with the nutrients it needs. While citric acid technically contains calories, it's not an important part of a pregnancy diet.
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Many personal care and pharmacy products contain a mixture of citric acid and sodium bicarbonate. While sodium bicarbonate is technically an acidic salt, it acts as a base in the presence of citric acid.
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Citric acid is named for citrus fruit, in which it's quite prevalent. Lemon juice contains citric acid, but it also contains many other chemical compounds besides. Pure citric acid is common in nature, but is also a common food additive for its flavor and preservative properties. It has no important nutrient value.
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