Chemistry For Your Life

• How do Tums make us feel better? (And why do they make us burp?)

  #114 Rebroadcast Tums, alka seltzer, and other antacids: they're simple, they've been around for a long time, but they're a tried and true method for helping our stomachs. But how do they work? What's the chemistry behind these unsung heroes?   References from this episode Chemistry Julia Burdge Biochemistry 4th edition by Garret & Grisham https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bring-science-home-carbonation-time/ http://websites.umich.edu/~chemstu/content_weeks/F_06_Week10/p848.pdf https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/outreach/celebrating-chemistry-editions/2021-ncw/fizz-race.html https://youtu.be/7VJ4cRWCpDw?t=1s     Thanks to our monthly supporters Julie S Heather R Autoclave Chelsea M Dorien V Scott B Jessie R Ciara L J0HNTR0Y Jeannette N Cullyn R Erica B Elizabeth P Sarah M Rachel R Letila Katrina B Suzanne P Venus R Lyn S Jacob T Brian K Emerson W Kristina G Timothy P Steven B Chris and Claire S Chelsea B Avishai B Hunter R ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ ★ Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel ★ Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife  

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• What's the Chemistry Inside Sourdough Bread?

  #204 In this episode Melissa and Jam delve into the fascinating biochemistry behind sourdough bread. They explore the role of microorganisms, including different strains of yeast and bacteria, in the fermentation process. The discussion covers how these organisms contribute to the unique flavors and textures of sourdough, and addresses common questions from listeners about its health benefits, the impact of tap water, and the variability of sourdough starters. The episode combines scientific insights with personal anecdotes about sourdough baking, shedding light on why this bread is so special and why it has gained popularity. 00:00 Introduction to Sourdough Curiosities 00:50 Meet the Hosts and Episode Inspiration 01:16 Listener Questions and Sourdough Popularity 02:48 The Science Behind Sourdough 03:18 Microorganisms in Bread Making 03:43 The Role of Yeast and Fermentation 07:33 Sourdough Starters and Fermentation Process 13:02 The Symbiotic Relationship in Sourdough 16:00 Recap and Listener Questions 20:18 The Art and Chemistry of Sourdough 22:02 Challenges and Rewards of Sourdough Baking 24:46 Sourdough Microbiome and Health Benefits 31:24 Impact of Water on Sourdough 32:55 Sourdough Preservation and Final Thoughts 36:39 Community Engagement and Support References from this episode: https://www.acs.org/pressroom/reactions/library/the-ultimate-donut-battle-cake-vs-yeast.html https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/single-celled-science-yeasty-beasties/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK8125/ https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/acute-impact-of-ingestion-of-breads-of-varying-composition-on-blood-glucose-insulin-and-incretins-following-first-and-second-meals/A4C860D917A29E4C784B4B2E16C8D0CB https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3317179/#B18https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/aem.68.2.623-633.2002 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3317179/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10103004/ https://www-sciencedirect-com.libproxy.library.unt.edu/science/article/pii/S2161831322013023 https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2023.1230043/full?trk=public_post_comment-text https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2022.989421/full https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6345887/ https://journals.asm.org/doi/full/10.1128/spectrum.01121-23 https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/nutrition-technology/science-sourdough-and-how-jar-microbes-could-help-keep-your-bread-fresher-longer https://youtu.be/C_mU2slhltI https://youtu.be/yp_iaxtLCZs https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-science-of-sourdough-how-microbes-enabled-a-pandemic-pastime/ Thanks to our monthly supporters Julie S Heather R Autoclave Chelsea M Dorien V Scott B Jessie R Ciara L J0HNTR0Y Jeannette N Cullyn R Erica B Elizabeth P Sarah M Rachel R Letila Katrina B Suzanne P Venus R Lyn S Jacob T Brian K Emerson W Kristina G Timothy P Steven B Chris and Claire S Chelsea B Avishai B Hunter R ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ ★ Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel ★ Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife

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• Ask a Chemist: Why do carrots cause hiccups? (and other questions)

  Ask a Chemist #64 In this bonus edition of 'Chemistry for Your Life,' hosts Melissa and Jam tackle intriguing questions from listeners. They delve into why some people hiccup when eating carrots, the fascinating uses of poinsettias in food packaging, the role of benzene as a carcinogen, and the controversies surrounding hydrogen-rich water bottles. Additionally, they explain how catalysts work and respond to various chemistry-related inquiries from their engaged audience. 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 01:10 Why Do People Hiccup When They Eat Carrots? 06:18 The Dangers of Benzene in Dry Shampoo 08:07 Understanding Catalysts in Chemical Reactions 12:04 Debunking the Hydrogen Rich Water Cup 20:26 Supercritical Water and Viewer Comments 24:59 Poinsettias and pH Indicators 26:42 Conclusion and Listener Acknowledgements References from this episode https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3504071/ https://synapse.koreamed.org/upload/synapsedata/pdfdata/0081jnm/jnm-18-123.pdf Thanks to our monthly supporters Julie S Heather R Autoclave Chelsea M Dorien V Scott B Jessie R Ciara L J0HNTR0Y Jeannette N Cullyn R Erica B Elizabeth P Sarah M Rachel R Letila Katrina B Suzanne P Venus R Lyn S Jacob T Brian K Emerson W Kristina G Timothy P Steven B Chris and Claire S Chelsea B Avishai B Hunter R ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ ★ Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel ★ Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife

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  29:44
• Why does Benadryl make us sleepy?

  #203 In this episode, Jam recounts a humorous yet enlightening story of accidentally taking a dog-sized dose of Benadryl and the sleepy consequences that followed. Melissa, a chemist, dives deep into the chemistry of antihistamines, explaining the difference between first-generation (drowsy) and second-generation (non-drowsy) antihistamines. The episode covers the role of histamine in the body's allergic reactions and how different antihistamines interact with histamine receptors. Melissa elucidates the chemical structures of these medicines and how their polarity affects their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, ultimately influencing whether they cause drowsiness. 00:00 A Benadryl Mishap 02:12 Understanding Antihistamines 03:28 The Science Behind Benadryl 04:55 How Antihistamines Work 10:41 Non-Drowsy Antihistamines 18:29 Personal Allergy Experiences 27:52 Allergy Medication Preferences 35:11 Supporting the Show Thanks to our monthly supporters Julie S Heather R Autoclave Chelsea M Dorien V Scott B Jessie R Ciara L J0HNTR0Y Jeannette N Cullyn R Erica B Elizabeth P Sarah M Rachel R Letila Katrina B Suzanne P Venus R Lyn S Jacob T Brian K Emerson W Kristina G Timothy P Steven B Chris and Claire S Chelsea B Avishai B Hunter R ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ ★ Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel ★ Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife

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• Ask a Chemist: How can fire have different colors? (and other questions)

  Question and Response 63 In this episode Melissa and Jam embark on an 'Ask a Chemist' segment, delving into the ethics surrounding the field of chemistry and addressing listener questions. They discuss managing discussions on the dark side of chemistry, why certain chemicals emit characteristic colors in the flame test, and share personal experiences regarding the toughest classes in their educational journeys. The episode also features listener interactions about nostalgic glow-in-the-dark items and anecdotes about the complexities and joys of studying and practicing chemistry. Join them for an engaging exploration of the ethical dimensions of chemistry and the field's fascinating nuances. 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 01:15 Addressing the Ethics of Chemistry 07:29 Fun Chemistry Questions 09:03 Personal Stories and Hardest Classes 18:39 Nostalgic Glow-in-the-Dark Items 21:54 Community Engagement and Closing Remarks Thanks to our monthly supporters Julie S Heather R Autoclave Chelsea M Dorien V Scott B Jessie R Ciara L J0HNTR0Y Jeannette N Cullyn R Erica B Elizabeth P Sarah M Rachel R Letila Katrina B Suzanne P Venus R Lyn S Jacob T Brian K Emerson W Kristina G Timothy P Steven B Chris and Claire S Chelsea B Avishai B Hunter R ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ ★ Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel ★ Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife

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