Food is any substance ingested for nutritional purposes. It is either of plant, animal, or fungal origin, and is absorbed by the organism’s cells to provide energy and maintain life. In a food chain, the different animals that eat the same food supply energy for the next animal. Food also plays an important role in promoting the exchange of cultures, including the creation of diverse food cultures. Here are some definitions and terms related to food.
The term ‘gastronomy’ is used to describe the study of food and the cultures that produce them. There are five different tastes in a human’s palate. The most enjoyable are the energy-rich tastes, while the most bitter are the least enjoyable. Water, on the other hand, has no taste. Saturated fats, on the other hand, are rich and thick, and therefore, have the most satisfying taste. Interestingly, food and drink cultures often share similar cultures, and this is important for understanding the food system in a developing country.
Processing foods destroy many of their nutrients. Some fruits, vegetables, and whole grains lose their fibers or vitamins when they are processed. Heat and drying destroy specific nutrients in food. Food manufacturers can add back some of these nutrients to the food, but it is impossible to recreate the original form. And because the process of food processing destroys so many nutrients, there are also numerous health risks. Food safety is an essential consideration, but you can’t do it all yourself.
