Science of Chinese Food (free blog post)

Since nutrition becomes more and more important thing that people concern, and Chinese food is the food that I consume daily, so this article is focusing on nutrition of Chinese food. Generally, Chinese people are thinner than western people because they have completely different dietary patterns. Chinese diet is rice-based diet, and meat only occupies small portion of a meal.

Green tea is an essential drink in a meal. Chinese people cannot eat without drinking tea. Green tea is from the leaves which are withered after being picked. This process strongly stops the oxidizing the green tea leave, so reduce producing free radical in the leaves(Chattopadhyay, C., et al, 2012). Green tea contains caffeine, but is much less than coffee. Small amount of caffeine can reduce liver disease and asthma syndrome. (Unachukwa, U. et al,2010) Catechins is another nutrient contained in green tea, which is a kind of antioxidant polyphenols. (Unachukwa, U. et al, 2010) Catechins can stimulate immune system, and lower the rate of heart disease and some kinds of cancer.(Unachukwa, U. et al, 2010)

The health benefits of green tea. (2012). Health Articles. Retrieved from   http://www.lookhealthy.org/the-health-benefits-of-green-tea/

Green tea fat burner. (2006). Ozzibug. Retrieved from
               http://www.ozzibug.net/

Another important food is soybean. Soybeans and its products are relatively cheap in China, and contain abundant high quality protein. Soybean milk is a very common drink in the morning as a substituent of cow milk, and people regard it as poor people’s cow milk.  In cafeterias of some schools and companies, soybean milk is daily provided. Soybean curd is another common soy product on dinner table. Soybean curd is made of soybean milk and coagulant, like calcium sulfate, so soybean curd is high in calcium. Soybean does not contain cholesterol, and it can reduce LDL cholesterol which is “bad cholesterol” (Rohr, U. et al, 2010). Vitamin B1, B2, B6, E, iron, folic acid and dietary fiber are rich in soybeans as a result as reducing some cancers. One special component is isoflavones which can replace estrogen in women’s body to prevent some cancers. It can also increase estrogen activity. (Rohr, U. et al, 2010)

Chinese food is a healthy and delicious cuisine. Everyone may like it. Science of food is an endless topic, Jenna P.   also has other research about food science.

Benefit of soy milk. (2012). Health Pravit Care. Retrieved from
                               http://healthprivatecare.com/benefit-of-soy-milk/

Soybean curd. (2010). Quinn's baking diary. Retrieved from
                        http://bakingquinn.blogspot.ca/2010/05/soybean-curd
                         -wobby-tau-foo-fah.html

Reference:
Chattopadhyay, C., Chakrabarti, N., Chatterjee, M., Chatterjee, S., Bhattacharyay, D.,
        Ghosh, D.(2012). Evaluation of acute anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities
         of green tea decoction on experimental animal models. International Journal of
         Nutrition, Pharmacology, Neurological Diseases, 2(1), 20-25. Retreved from
         Academic Search Complete.

Rohr, U, Gocan, A, Bachg, D., Schindler, A.(2010). Cancer protection of soy
         resembles cancer protection during pregnancy. Hormone Molecular Biology
           & Clinical Investigation, 3 (2), 391-409. Retreved from Academic Search
          Complete.

Unachukwu, U., Ahmed, S,  Kavalier, A. Lyles, J, T., Kennelly, E.(2010). White and
        green ea ( camellia sinensis var. sinensis): variation in phenolic, methylx
        anthine, and antioxidant  profiles.Journal of Food Science, 75(6), 541-548.
        Retreved from Academic Search Complete.
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