Our Experiments

To enhance our knowledge of the components that make up a balanced diet, we've done 2 experiments, in one we observed water's interaction with substances including itself, which allowed us to pinpoint its properties. We also tested water's capability of dissolving many substances, and its incapability to dissolve some. 

In the second experiment, we added solutions to different foods and observed the results, which hinted at what the contents of the foods were. 

For example, we added a solution to an apple, a potato, and a piece of bread. We were told that if the substance turns black, then it contains starch. Then, we had to conclude which one of these foods had no starch at all. The bread, potato, and apple turned black.  However, the orange didn't. So, we concluded that oranges don't have any starch.

Pictures of our experiments

 OUR SURVEY 

                          https://forms.office.com/r/g3ku2gteyA

We conducted a survey aimed at teenagers ages 12-17. The aim of this survey was to understand how aware teenagers were of following a healthy diet, and whether they themselves think they follow a healthy diet. 

The questions:

55 percent described their diet as relatively healthy, 16 percent described their diet as healthy, and 27.5 percent described it as unhealthy.

55 percent knew our bodies needed a balance of all biomolecules, while 13.79 percent thought they should cut off carbohydrates, and 31 percent thought fats should be cut off.

44.8 percent ate fruits and vegetables often, 24 percent only ate them when they were cooked alongside something else, and 31 percent avoided them.

36.6 drank water when they were very thirsty, 36.6 forgot to drink water often, and 26.6 percent drank water whenever it's been a while since they last drank.

60 percent thought their meals were relatively varied, while 40 percent thought their meals weren't.

What we've concluded from the results of our survey and conversations we've had with teenagers about healthy, balanced diets lead us to conclude that most teenagers have a general idea of how their diets should be. However, they don't know how to probably implement this. We hope our campaign can help serve as their motivator to improve their diets and  teaches them the importance and ways they could have healthier diets, and for them to begin sharing what they learn from us.

 

PROTEINS

Proteins are polymers composed of monomers called amino acids. 12 amino acids are made by the human body, while 8 amino acids must come from food. Any number of combinations made by these amino acids make up different kinds of proteins. This process is made by Ribosomes.

Proteins' structure:

A protein is made up of one or more long folded chains of amino acids connected by peptide bonds. These chains contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. 

Amino acids are made up of a central carbon atom, an amino group NH2 on one end, a carboxyl group COOH on the other end, a single hydrogen atom, and an R group that determines the kinds of amino acids. The R group has 20 different amino acids, which range from polar, non-polar, acidic, or basic. 

Proteins' properties:

Proteins provide structural support, aid chemical reactions in the body, transport substances, and are essential in hormone production, and fighting diseases. For example, the enzymes in your body are essential for digestion, liver function, and much more as they speed up the chemical reactions in our bodies. 

How should you include proteins in your diet?

Eating proteins is very important in a balanced diet, as proteins aid recovery from injuries/exercise, build and repair muscles and bones, and make hormones and enzymes that are important for digestion. Proteins are also used as an energy source.

                                       

Proteins should make up 25-35 percent of your diet.

  

 
                                    Lipids

Lipids are fatty compounds that perform a variety of functions in your body. Their monomers are glycerol and fatty acids. Lipids' molecules have evenly distributed electrons, meaning they are non-polar, making them insoluble in water.

Lipid structure

Lipids are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. In some cases, it is also composed of phosphorous, nitrogen, and sulfur. Lipids are basically long chains of carbon bonded to other carbon and hydrogen. Lipids are (typically) made of a glycerol backbone, 2 fatty acid tails, and a phosphate group.

PS: The number of fatty acids usually differs depending on the type of lipid.

Lipid types

The four main types of lipids are triglycerides, phospholipids, steroids, and waxes.

Triglyceride Types

There are three main types of triglyceride. Saturated, Unsaturated, and Polyunsaturated fats. Saturated fats have no carbon-carbon double bonds, have the most amount of hydrogen, are composed of long, straight chains, and are solid at room temperature. 

Unsaturated fats have one double carbon-carbon bond, have fewer hydrogens, are composed of bent chains, and are liquid at room temperature. 

Polyunsaturated fats have more than one double carbon-carbon bond, have the least amounts of hydrogen, are composed of multiple bends, and are liquid at room temperature.

• PS: Trans fats are unsaturated fats that have hydrogen added to them to make them more solid. Trans fats are considered the worst type of fat to eat.

Lipids' properties

Having so many carbon-hydrogen bonds stuck together in a chain makes lipids excellent for storing energy. Lipids are some of the primary components of the cell membrane, making them an important factor in cell protection. Lipids also play a part in making hormones, Lipids also store unused calories and provide your body with energy. Lipids are also excellent thermal insulators, and waterproof coverings, and carry fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin K.

How should you include lipids in your diet?

Lipids are important in the diet as energy sources and as sources of essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins. They are also thermal insulators and provide protection to our bodies. This is why it is important to understand how much lipids you should include in your diet.

Your diet should be composed of around 25-35 percent lipids.

 

                                                      

                                   Carbohydrates

   Carbohydrates, or sugar molecules, are one of the three main nutrients found in foods and drinks. What makes carbohydrates so special is that Carbohydrates break down very easily into simple sugars that the body uses for fuel. 

Carbohydrates' structure:

Carbohydrates are in the form of rings, and they are made up of oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon. Which makes The general formula of carbohydrates is CnH2nOn.

                              

Types of carbohydrates

The monomers that makeup carbohydrates are monosaccharides. There are 3 types of carbohydrates.

 1- Monosaccharides 

(galactose, fructose, and glucose),

 which consist of one ring.  

2- Disaccharides 

(sucrose [glucose+fructose],

 maltose [glucose+glucose],

 and lactose [galactose+glucose] ), 

which consist of 2 rings.

3- Polysaccharides

 (fiber, starch, and glycogen),

 have more than 2 rings. 

• Potatoes, bread, cereals, and rice are all foods that contain polysaccharides.

The second two types are all formed from the different combinations of monosaccharides, which is how they are broken back into them by living organisms for fuel.  

Carbohydrates' function:

Since carbohydrates are broken down so quickly and easily, one of their main functions is being a short-term energy source. Another main function of carbohydrates is their role in providing structural support to cells, as they are part of nucleic acids, cell membranes, and cell walls. Carbohydrates are made of polar bonds, which makes them hydrophilic; meaning they are soluble in water. 

How can you include carbohydrates in your diet?

Carbohydrates are a very important part of your diet. Carbohydrates provide the body with fuel: glucose. Glucose supports bodily functions and mental and physical activity. This is why it is important to understand just how much carbohydrates you are supposed to consume a day.

Your diet should be composed of around 30-50 percent carbs.

                                What's the role of water?

       

  Water plays a major role in a balanced diet and the balance of our planet. And yet, you'd be surprised by the amount of people who neglect to drink proper amounts of water, ignorant of its unique properties and benefits. 

Water's structure:

 Water's importance is in part because of its structure. Water is made up of 2 atoms of hydrogen bonded with one atom of oxygen, making it a polar covalent bond. This also causes the hydrogen bonds between water molecules which contribute to the properties of water.  

Water's properties: 

One of water's major properties is its cohesion, which is high enough to make the water particles stick to each other, making up the oceans we so often see and benefit from. 

Water's high adhesion, which is its attachment to other substances, is the reason you see leftover water droplets on your window after rain.

These two properties, cohesion and adhesion, both play a role in the curve of water's meniscus. This is because water's adhesion is stronger than its cohesion, causing the water particles to favor sticking to the foreign particles rather than the other water particles. 

Water's high surface tension, also caused by its high cohesion and adhesion, is the reason you are able to float on your back above water, and it is the reason some insects are easily able to walk on water without breaking its surface.

Water's capillary action is what causes water's capablity to flow through narrow tubes.

 Capillary action is what allows plants to get nutrients from the water in the soil. 

Can you think of any other example of capillary action?

 Water has high specific heat--meaning it absorbs a lot of heat before it begins to get hot. This property plays a huge role in Earth's climate and is why marine animals can survive through very cold or very hot temperatures.

 Have you ever wondered how marine animals can live through freezing winters? 

How much water should you drink a day?

Water plays a key role in many of our body's functions, which include bringing nutrients to cells, getting rid of wastes, maintaining body temperature, and protecting joints and organs, which is why its important for us to know how much water our bodies need. Children 4-8 years old need 5 cups daily. Older children need around 7-8 cups of water daily. Teenagers need 8-11 cups, and adult females 9 cups a day , and adult males need 13 cups a day. It is vital to recognize that this depends greatly on lifestyle and activity. For example, pregnant women need 10 cups, and breastfeeding women need 11.