Nutrition Essay Example for Free

Nutrition Essay 1.Select a sweetener. Sucrose 2.Explore the history of the sweetener (when it was developed, its composition). Sucrose, according to our text, is composed of one glucose (the most common sugar molecule) molecule and one fructose (the sweetest natural sugar) molecule. The bond is called glycosidic linkage. Because of this mixture, Sucrose is known to be sweeter than lactose or maltose (the other 2 out of the 3 most common disaccharides, which is a carbohydrate compound consisting of 2 or more molecules joined together). The history of sucrose dates back to thousands and thousands of years ago when the sugar cane was discovered in the South Pacific, rumored specifically to have been found in New Guinea. Its molecular formula is C12H22O11. (taken from Wikipedia) 3.Discuss safety and the sweetener that you have selected. When pure, sucrose has an energy content of 3.94 kilocalories per gram, which helps give someone that instant â€Å"jolt of energy† they are looking for. This becomes unsafe when consumed in large amounts and when looking at it from a health standpoint, should not be used for that jolt. When using Sucrose in moderation, or small doses, it does not pose as may risk factors as it does when over consumed. Also, please note that there really is not any nutritional value in Sucrose itself. Typically, sucrose is spoken of as table sugar. The most common health risk of Sucrose would be linked to tooth decay and other dental issues. Other health issues linked to a diet with an over-abundance of sucrose would be hypoglycemia or diabetes mellitus. 4.Examine the relationship between the sweetener that you have selected and obesity. There is a lot to be said about sugars of any type in your diet. When it comes to Sucrose consumption leading to obesity, it really depends on the type and frequency of the consumption itself. For instance, some drinks containing high levels of sucrose may be linked to the development of obesity and insulin resistance. Also, as said above, it can lead to dental problems and possibly diabetes. It has also been assumed that Sucrose can lead to metabolic syndrome. This is a combination of medical disorders that can increase diabetes and cardiovascular diseases when working together. Because this occurs within the insulin-resistant, it does not necessarily mean you are obese if you’re diagnosed, but it does mean that it can increase ones chances of being obese. So when all is said in done, use Sucrose or any sweeteners for that fact, in low-moderation to avoid any health risks that result in the o ver consumption of Sucrose.