Nutrition Facts…Did You Know That?

1) The term Vitamin originally derives from the word Vitamine created in 1912 by the Polish biochemist Casimir Funk

“The name is from vital and amine, meaning amine of life, because it was suggested in 1912 that the organic micronutrient food factors that prevent beriberi and perhaps other similar dietary-deficiency diseases might be chemical amines. This was true of thiamine, but after it was found that other such micronutrients were not amines the word was shortened to vitamin in English.” (Wikipedia)

2) Peeling the skin off an apple decreases it’s total calorie content HOWEVER you also reduce its fibre content (essential for a healthy gut) as well as beneficial vitamins. Think twice before peeling that apple next time

3) “Cholesterol is a fatty substance known as a lipid and is vital for the normal functioning of the body. It’s mainly made by the liver, but can also be found in some foods.

Cholesterol is carried in your blood by proteins. When the two combine, they’re called lipoproteins.

The two main types of lipoprotein are:

• high-density lipoprotein (HDL) – carries cholesterol away from the cells and back to the liver, where it’s either broken down or passed out of the body as a waste product; for this reason, HDL is referred to as “good cholesterol”, and higher levels are better
• low-density lipoprotein (LDL) – carries cholesterol to the cells that need it, but if there’s too much cholesterol for the cells to use, it can build up in the artery walls, leading to disease of the arteries; for this reason, LDL is known as “bad cholesterol”

4) Per 100 grams of weight, 1 chicken breast contains 32 grams of protein! Serious muscle food!

5) The Glycaemic Index (GI) is used as a measuring tool for how quickly carbohydrates effect our blood sugar levels. The scale ranges from 0 – 100 with the higher numbers being quicker acting.

6) Broccoli is a fantastic source of Vitamin C containing nearly double the amount that of an orange per 100 grams of weight

7) When checking food labels for sugar content be mindful that this reading is for total sugars. My point is that it doesn’t list which sugars are from natural sources and which are refined. When you check the back for ingredients look out for items such as syrup, glucose or sucrose which are added sugars.

8) The NHS recommends that to maintain body weight:

– A typical female requires 2,000 calories

– A typical male requires 2,500 calories

However these numbers can be affected by:

– Your current weight and height

– How active your lifestyle is

– Your age and current health

9) The CMO guidelines for both male and female recommend that:

It is “safest not to drink more than 14 units of alcohol in a week” This is the equivalent to 6 pints of beer or 6 glasses of wine. However take into account the calorie content of these drinks when applying to your lifestyle in addition to the negative effects alcohol can have on your lifestyle habits

10) Shellac is commonly used in the nail industry for improving nail strength and giving a shiny finish. Shellac originates from the secretion of the female Lac Bug which is found in India and Thailand.

Another use for Shellac is for the production of Jelly Beans when combined with beeswax. This is why they look so shiny.

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-cholesterol/#about-cholesterol

https://www.nutrition.org.uk

Diabetes UK

Drink aware UK