The Chemistry of Food and Nutrition Trivia Quiz Questions and Answers

In the early 1900s, many people believed that animal foods were superior to plant foods in terms of nutrient value. What did the author of “The Chemistry of Food and Nutrition” argue about the nutritional value of plant and animal foods?

  • Animal foods are superior to plant foods in terms of nutrient value.
  • Plant foods are superior to animal foods in terms of nutrient value.
  • There is no significant difference in the nutritional value of plant and animal foods.
  • Plant foods are more readily digestible than animal foods.

Correct Answer: There is no significant difference in the nutritional value of plant and animal foods.

Correct Answer Explanation: The author of “The Chemistry of Food and Nutrition” challenged the prevailing belief that animal foods were superior to plant foods in terms of nutrient value. He argued that both plant and animal foods provide essential nutrients for the body, and a balanced diet should include both.

The author of “The Chemistry of Food and Nutrition” emphasizes the importance of a balanced diet. What did he recommend for a healthy diet in 1905?

  • A diet high in meat and other animal products
  • A diet consisting mainly of processed foods
  • A simple, unprocessed diet with limited consumption of stimulants
  • A diet rich in refined carbohydrates and sugars

Correct Answer: A simple, unprocessed diet with limited consumption of stimulants

Correct Answer Explanation: The author advocated for a simple, unprocessed diet, emphasizing the consumption of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and minimal amounts of processed foods, stimulants like tea and coffee, and animal products.

The author of “The Chemistry of Food and Nutrition” discusses the role of bacteria in digestion. What does he suggest about the relationship between bacteria and the human digestive system?

  • Bacteria are harmful to the digestive system and should be avoided.
  • Bacteria are beneficial to the digestive system and contribute to efficient digestion.
  • Bacteria are neutral in their effect on the digestive system.
  • Bacteria can be both beneficial and harmful, depending on their type and quantity.

Correct Answer: Bacteria can be both beneficial and harmful, depending on their type and quantity.

Correct Answer Explanation: The author recognized that bacteria play a significant role in the digestive process, with some bacteria being beneficial for digestion and others potentially harmful if they proliferate excessively. This highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy gut and avoiding overly concentrated diets.

The text discusses the debate surrounding purin bodies and their role in gout. What was the prevailing medical opinion in 1905 regarding uric acid and gout?

  • Uric acid is the primary cause of gout.
  • Uric acid is a symptom of gout, not the cause.
  • Uric acid is harmless and does not contribute to gout.
  • Uric acid is beneficial for preventing gout.

Correct Answer: Uric acid is a symptom of gout, not the cause.

Correct Answer Explanation: In 1905, the majority of medical opinion considered uric acid a symptom of gout, not the cause. They believed that uric acid is readily excreted in healthy individuals, and its accumulation in the body was a result of other underlying factors. The author, however, presented an alternative view, suggesting that the symptoms of gout might point to a toxin in the blood originating from decomposing fecal matter in the large intestine.

The text highlights the importance of proper mastication for efficient digestion. What did the author suggest about the effects of soft, overcooked food?

  • Soft, overcooked food promotes efficient digestion.
  • Soft, overcooked food can lead to indigestion and tooth decay.
  • Soft, overcooked food does not significantly affect digestion.
  • Soft, overcooked food is beneficial for people with weak digestive systems.

Correct Answer: Soft, overcooked food can lead to indigestion and tooth decay.

Correct Answer Explanation: The author emphasized the importance of proper chewing, arguing that soft, overcooked food can lead to indigestion and tooth decay because it doesn’t stimulate sufficient saliva production and doesn’t require as much chewing.

According to the text, what did the author suggest about the consumption of concentrated foods?

  • Concentrated foods are essential for optimal health.
  • Concentrated foods can be detrimental to the digestive system and overall health.
  • Concentrated foods have no impact on health.
  • Concentrated foods are beneficial for people with limited time.

Correct Answer: Concentrated foods can be detrimental to the digestive system and overall health.

Correct Answer Explanation: The author argued against the excessive consumption of concentrated foods, such as meat extracts, highlighting their potential to burden the digestive system and contribute to health problems like constipation. He emphasized the value of whole, unprocessed foods for optimal health.

The author of “The Chemistry of Food and Nutrition” provides a range of dietary recommendations for different individuals. What did he suggest about the daily protein intake for a man of average weight doing moderate work?

  • 100 to 130 grammes of protein per day
  • 50 to 80 grammes of protein per day
  • 150 to 200 grammes of protein per day
  • 20 to 40 grammes of protein per day

Correct Answer: 100 to 130 grammes of protein per day

Correct Answer Explanation: The author noted that the standard daily dietary for a man of average weight doing moderate work was estimated to be 100 to 130 grammes of proteids, 35 to 125 grammes of fat, and 450 to 550 grammes of carbohydrates per day.

The text mentions a study of a fruitarian family. What did this study suggest about the amount of food needed to sustain a healthy life?

  • Humans need significantly more food than previously thought.
  • Humans may need significantly less food than previously thought, especially when consuming a simple, unprocessed diet.
  • There is no significant difference in the amount of food needed for different dietary choices.
  • The amount of food needed varies greatly depending on individual factors.

Correct Answer: Humans may need significantly less food than previously thought, especially when consuming a simple, unprocessed diet.

Correct Answer Explanation: A study of a fruitarian family, conducted by Professor Jaffa, showed that they consumed significantly less protein and carbohydrates than the commonly accepted standards, challenging the prevailing notions about the necessary amount of food intake. The fruitarian family consumed an average of 34 grammes of protein per day and 1,500 calories per day, significantly lower than the standard recommendations.

The author discusses the importance of water for overall health. What did he suggest about the role of water in the treatment of gout?

  • Water is detrimental to the treatment of gout.
  • Water has no significant effect on gout.
  • Water is beneficial for flushing out toxins and promoting overall health in gouty patients.
  • Water can worsen gout symptoms.

Correct Answer: Water is beneficial for flushing out toxins and promoting overall health in gouty patients.

Correct Answer Explanation: The author emphasized the importance of water for overall health, suggesting that it can aid in flushing out toxins and promoting overall health in gouty patients.

The text mentions a number of foods that are considered low in purins. Which of the following foods are considered low in purins?

  • Meat, fish, and poultry
  • Legumes, such as beans and lentils
  • White bread, rice, cabbage, lettuce, and cauliflower
  • Dairy products, such as milk and cheese

Correct Answer: White bread, rice, cabbage, lettuce, and cauliflower

Correct Answer Explanation: The author stated that white bread, rice, cabbage, lettuce, cauliflower, and eggs contain no traces of purins. These foods are considered safe for those with gout or other conditions related to purin metabolism.

The text discusses the impact of cooking on food. What did the author suggest about the digestibility of food when cooked?

  • Cooking always improves the digestibility of food.
  • Cooking can sometimes decrease the digestibility of food.
  • Cooking has no impact on the digestibility of food.
  • Cooking always decreases the digestibility of food.

Correct Answer: Cooking can sometimes decrease the digestibility of food.

Correct Answer Explanation: The author suggested that cooking can sometimes decrease the digestibility of food, noting that the amount of food required to produce a pound gain in weight was larger when the food had been cooked than when it was given raw in experiments with pigs.

What did the author suggest about the impact of meat consumption on the body?

  • Meat consumption is essential for optimal health.
  • Meat consumption is detrimental to the body and should be avoided.
  • Meat consumption has no significant impact on health.
  • Meat consumption can have both positive and negative effects on the body.

Correct Answer: Meat consumption can have both positive and negative effects on the body.

Correct Answer Explanation: The author acknowledged that meat can provide valuable nutrients, but he also emphasized the potential drawbacks of an excessive meat diet, including its contribution to gout, kidney and liver disease, and general ill health.

The text describes a range of dietary choices made by different cultures. What did the author suggest about the eating habits of the Greenlanders?

  • Greenlanders consume a primarily vegetarian diet.
  • Greenlanders consume a diet rich in processed foods.
  • Greenlanders consume a diet that includes a variety of foods, including those that may be considered unusual to other cultures.
  • Greenlanders consume a diet very similar to that of other cultures.

Correct Answer: Greenlanders consume a diet that includes a variety of foods, including those that may be considered unusual to other cultures.

Correct Answer Explanation: The author mentioned that Greenlanders eat the half-frozen, half-putrid head and fins of the seal, illustrating the diverse range of food preferences among different cultures.

The text discusses the importance of a simple, unprocessed diet. What did the author suggest about the use of baking powders?

  • Baking powders are beneficial for health and should be used frequently.
  • Baking powders are harmful and should be avoided.
  • Baking powders have no significant impact on health.
  • Baking powders should be used in moderation.

Correct Answer: Baking powders are harmful and should be avoided.

Correct Answer Explanation: The author expressed concern about the use of baking powders, specifically those containing an excess of sodium bicarbonate, which he considered potentially harmful.

The author of “The Chemistry of Food and Nutrition” discusses the consumption of stimulants. Which of the following substances did he consider to be stimulants?

  • Tea and coffee
  • Alcohol
  • Sugar
  • All of the above

Correct Answer: All of the above

Correct Answer Explanation: The author considered tea, coffee, and alcohol to be stimulants and advocated for their limited consumption.

The text discusses the importance of calcium phosphate for bone growth. What did the author suggest about the calcium phosphate needs of children?

  • Children need a lower proportion of calcium phosphate than adults.
  • Children need a higher proportion of calcium phosphate than adults.
  • Children and adults need the same proportion of calcium phosphate.
  • The calcium phosphate needs of children and adults are not well-understood.

Correct Answer: Children need a higher proportion of calcium phosphate than adults.

Correct Answer Explanation: The author recognized that children need a higher proportion of calcium phosphate for bone growth, as their bones are still developing, compared to adults whose bone growth has stabilized.

What did the author suggest about the consumption of milk?

  • Milk should be the primary food for infants.
  • Milk is a good food for gouty patients.
  • Milk is too rich in proteids to form the sole food of a human being.
  • Milk has no significant impact on health.

Correct Answer: Milk is too rich in proteids to form the sole food of a human being.

Correct Answer Explanation: The author recognized that milk is a good source of nutrients, but he cautioned that it is too rich in proteids to form the sole food of a human being and should be balanced with other food sources.

The author discusses the role of the stomach in digestion. What did he suggest about the gastric juice?

  • Gastric juice is primarily responsible for the breakdown of fats.
  • Gastric juice is primarily responsible for the breakdown of carbohydrates.
  • Gastric juice is primarily responsible for the breakdown of proteins.
  • Gastric juice has no specific role in digestion.

Correct Answer: Gastric juice is primarily responsible for the breakdown of proteins.

Correct Answer Explanation: The author described the stomach as a receptacle for food where digestion begins, and highlighted that the gastric juice contains pepsin and hydrochloric acid, which break down proteins.

What did the author suggest about the use of meat extracts?

  • Meat extracts are a valuable source of nutrients.
  • Meat extracts are primarily stimulants, not nutrients.
  • Meat extracts are harmful and should be avoided.
  • Meat extracts have no significant impact on health.

Correct Answer: Meat extracts are primarily stimulants, not nutrients.

Correct Answer Explanation: The author recognized that meat extracts can provide some nutrients, but he emphasized that they are primarily stimulants and do not provide the same nutritional value as whole foods.

What did the author suggest about the consumption of salt?

  • Salt consumption is essential for health and should be encouraged.
  • Salt consumption is detrimental to health and should be avoided.
  • Salt consumption has no significant impact on health.
  • Salt consumption should be limited.

Correct Answer: Salt consumption should be limited.

Correct Answer Explanation: The author expressed concern about excessive salt consumption, highlighting its potential to have detrimental effects on the kidneys and other organs, contributing to edema, dropsy, and other health problems.

The author discusses the consumption of fat. What did he suggest about the role of fat in digestion?

  • Fat is detrimental to digestion.
  • Fat is beneficial for digestion and overall health.
  • Fat has no significant impact on digestion.
  • Fat is only beneficial in small amounts.

Correct Answer: Fat is beneficial for digestion and overall health.

Correct Answer Explanation: The author recognized that a moderate quantity of fat is beneficial for digestion and overall health.

The text describes the digestive systems of different animals. What did the author suggest about the digestive systems of herbivores?

  • Herbivores have shorter intestines than carnivores.
  • Herbivores have longer intestines than carnivores.
  • Herbivores and carnivores have similar intestinal lengths.
  • The intestinal lengths of herbivores and carnivores are not well-understood.

Correct Answer: Herbivores have longer intestines than carnivores.

Correct Answer Explanation: The author noted that herbivores need much more indigestible matter than carnivores, as their digestive systems are adapted to break down plant matter. This is reflected in their longer intestines, which provide more surface area for digestion.

The author discusses the impact of food choices on the body’s physiology. What did he suggest about the relationship between meat consumption and taste preferences?

  • Meat consumption has no impact on taste preferences.
  • Meat consumption can increase a person’s preference for milder, vegetable-based foods.
  • Meat consumption can decrease a person’s preference for milder, vegetable-based foods.
  • The relationship between meat consumption and taste preferences is not well-understood.

Correct Answer: Meat consumption can decrease a person’s preference for milder, vegetable-based foods.

Correct Answer Explanation: The author suggested that the eating of flesh tends to produce a distaste for mild vegetable foods, especially if uncooked.

The author discusses the importance of understanding the chemical composition of food. What did he suggest about the role of carbohydrates in the body?

  • Carbohydrates are primarily responsible for building and repairing tissues.
  • Carbohydrates are primarily responsible for providing energy.
  • Carbohydrates are primarily responsible for regulating body temperature.
  • Carbohydrates have no specific role in the body.

Correct Answer: Carbohydrates are primarily responsible for providing energy.

Correct Answer Explanation: The author recognized that carbohydrates are organic compounds containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, serving primarily as energy sources for the body.

The text highlights the impact of food choices on overall health. What did the author suggest about the relationship between a high-protein diet and the liver and kidneys?

  • A high-protein diet puts an unnatural strain on the liver and kidneys.
  • A high-protein diet is beneficial for the liver and kidneys.
  • A high-protein diet has no significant impact on the liver and kidneys.
  • The relationship between a high-protein diet and the liver and kidneys is not well-understood.

Correct Answer: A high-protein diet puts an unnatural strain on the liver and kidneys.

Correct Answer Explanation: The author expressed concern about the impact of an excessive meat diet, highlighting its potential to put an unnatural strain on the liver and kidneys, contributing to various health problems.

What did the author suggest about the role of proteids in the body?

  • Proteids are primarily responsible for providing energy.
  • Proteids are primarily responsible for building and repairing tissues.
  • Proteids are primarily responsible for regulating body temperature.
  • Proteids have no specific role in the body.

Correct Answer: Proteids are primarily responsible for building and repairing tissues.

Correct Answer Explanation: The author described proteids as complex nitrogenous compounds essential for building and repairing tissues.

What did the author suggest about the role of the pancreas in digestion?

  • The pancreatic juice is the most important digestive fluid, containing several ferments that break down proteins, starch, and fat.
  • The pancreatic juice is primarily responsible for breaking down carbohydrates.
  • The pancreatic juice is primarily responsible for breaking down proteins.
  • The pancreatic juice has no specific role in digestion.

Correct Answer: The pancreatic juice is the most important digestive fluid, containing several ferments that break down proteins, starch, and fat.

Correct Answer Explanation: The author recognized the pancreatic juice as the most important digestive fluid, highlighting its role in breaking down proteins, starch, and fat.

The text discusses the importance of a balanced diet. What did the author suggest about the role of fats in a healthy diet?

  • Fats are essential for energy production and should be included in a balanced diet.
  • Fats are harmful and should be avoided.
  • Fats have no significant impact on health.
  • Fats are only beneficial in small amounts.

Correct Answer: Fats are essential for energy production and should be included in a balanced diet.

Correct Answer Explanation: The author acknowledged the importance of fats for energy production and overall health, noting that they can be obtained from a variety of sources.

What did the author suggest about the role of the bile in digestion?

  • Bile assists in neutralizing the acid mixture that leaves the stomach.
  • Bile is primarily responsible for breaking down proteins.
  • Bile is primarily responsible for breaking down carbohydrates.
  • Bile has no specific role in digestion.

Correct Answer: Bile assists in neutralizing the acid mixture that leaves the stomach.

Correct Answer Explanation: The author described the role of bile in neutralising the acid mixture that leaves the stomach and assisting in the absorption of fats.

The author discusses the importance of a natural, unprocessed diet. What did he suggest about the consumption of processed foods?

  • Processed foods are essential for optimal health.
  • Processed foods are harmful and should be avoided.
  • Processed foods have no significant impact on health.
  • Processed foods are beneficial for people with limited time.

Correct Answer: Processed foods are harmful and should be avoided.

Correct Answer Explanation: The author advocated for a simple, unprocessed diet, highlighting the potential detrimental effects of processed foods on health.

What did the author suggest about the consumption of flesh?

  • Flesh consumption is essential for optimal health.
  • Flesh consumption is detrimental to the body and should be avoided.
  • Flesh consumption has no significant impact on health.
  • Flesh consumption can have both positive and negative effects on the body.

Correct Answer: Flesh consumption can have both positive and negative effects on the body.

Correct Answer Explanation: The author acknowledged that flesh can provide valuable nutrients, but he also emphasized the potential drawbacks of an excessive meat diet, including its contribution to gout, kidney and liver disease, and general ill health.

The text discusses the importance of a healthy gut. What did the author suggest about the consumption of concentrated food?

  • Concentrated food promotes a healthy gut.
  • Concentrated food is detrimental to a healthy gut.
  • Concentrated food has no impact on a healthy gut.
  • The relationship between concentrated food and a healthy gut is not well-understood.

Correct Answer: Concentrated food is detrimental to a healthy gut.

Correct Answer Explanation: The author cautioned against the consumption of concentrated foods, highlighting their potential to contribute to constipation and other digestive problems.

The author discusses the importance of water for overall health. What did he suggest about the role of water in the body?

  • Water is a solvent and carrier for other substances.
  • Water is primarily responsible for providing energy.
  • Water is primarily responsible for building and repairing tissues.
  • Water has no specific role in the body.

Correct Answer: Water is a solvent and carrier for other substances.

Correct Answer Explanation: The author recognized that water is an essential food and a crucial component of all bodily tissues, serving as a solvent and carrier for other substances.

The author discusses the role of mineral matter in the body. What did he suggest about the sources of mineral matter?

  • Mineral matter is primarily found in animal foods.
  • Mineral matter is primarily found in plant foods.
  • Mineral matter is found in both plant and animal foods.
  • The sources of mineral matter are not well-understood.

Correct Answer: Mineral matter is found in both plant and animal foods.

Correct Answer Explanation: The author noted that mineral salts are crucial for bodily function and are found in all foods, except some highly processed ones, emphasizing their presence in both plant and animal sources.

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Jessmyn Solana

Jessmyn Solana is the Digital Marketing Manager of Interact, a place for creating beautiful and engaging quizzes that generate email leads. She is a marketing enthusiast and storyteller. Outside of Interact Jessmyn loves exploring new places, eating all the local foods, and spending time with her favorite people (especially her dog).

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