Biochemistry

Table of Edible pH Indicators (Todd Helmenstine) — Red cabbage juice is the best known edible pH indicator, but there are many safe fruits, vegetables, and flowers that change color in response to acidity or alkalinity. The plant pigments responsible for the color change are anthocyanins. Most of these molecules change from red to purple to blue in […]

Edible pH Indicators From Your Kitchen and Garden

This entry was posted on June 23, 2018 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on April 7, 2019)

Cats eat grass because it's a good source of certain nutrients, may help their digestive system, and simply because they enjoy it. (Ethan Weil) — Why do cats eat grass? The answer is that it offers some health benefits. Cats are obligate carnivores, which simply means they need to eat meat to satisfy their nutritional needs, yet wild cats naturally ingest some grass with prey. Both wild cats (e.g., bobcats, lions, and tigers) as well […]

Why Do Cats Eat Grass?

This entry was posted on June 18, 2018 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on June 28, 2018)

Microwave pizza with a glass of water to keep the crust from getting tough or soggy. (Michał Kubalczyk) — When you microwave pizza to reheat it, you run the risk of turning the best food in the world into a chew toy fit only for Fido. Microwaving melts the cheese and reheats the toppings, but toughens the crust. But, it doesn’t have to be that way! You can nuke […]

Why You Should Microwave Pizza With a Glass of Water

This entry was posted on May 21, 2018 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on May 26, 2018)

You shouldn't store open cans in the fridge because metals and BPA can leach into food. (maerzbow) — When you don’t finish an open can, you may be tempted to put some plastic wrap over it and put it in the refrigerator for later. However, it’s not a good idea to store open cans in the fridge. No, it won’t grow Salmonella or give you botulism. The risks […]

Why You Shouldn’t Store Open Cans in the Fridge

This entry was posted on April 13, 2018 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on April 23, 2018)

When you lose weight, fat doesn’t magically vanish or convert into muscle or even energy. Your digestive system does not excrete it in feces. In a survey of 150 health professionals (dieticians, doctors, personal trainers), 98% didn’t understand fat metabolism. Only three people in the study knew where fat went! […]

Where Does Fat Go When You Lose Weight?

This entry was posted on March 28, 2018 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on December 2, 2018)

Daffodils (Katherine McCormack) — Daffodils, jonquils, and other types of narcissus are the harbingers of spring, so you may be tempted to bring them indoors to brighten a room. Go ahead and put them in a vase! However, it’s not just an urban legend that daffodils poison other flowers. Take a look at the […]

Do Daffodils Poison Other Flowers?

This entry was posted on March 24, 2018 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on January 30, 2019)