Food Science 1A/1B Task One

Local food is the term used to define fresh food that is in season or made from seasonal products that are grown, farmed or fished in Western Australia.
The closer the distance from where food is made to where the food is eaten, the better for the environment it is. Importing food from overseas will consume a lot of greenhouse gas to ship over to Western Australia and this will affect the environment by polluting both air and sea.
Economically, food costs a lot to import from other countries as well. For example; importing oranges from America costs more than importing them North-Western Australia. These costs include shipping and tax which will cost significantly less if imported from Western Australia. This will be economically benefiting for the Australia government.
Local foods are also economically benefiting for local producers because they earn more money from selling their produce without the fear of losing to other international producers.
Eating local foods is nutritionally better for you. Many foods have chemical applied to them to prevent them from ripening early while in storage. An example of the chemicals used is Methylcyclopropene. This chemical is used to prevent apples from producing ethylene, the natural hormone that ripens fruit. It can preserve apples for a year and bananas for a month. Sulfur dioxide is used in a similar way but on grapes.
Different food groups and their effect on health.

Cereals:
Cereals provide several health benefits which is why they are important in our diet. By eating cereals we are obtaining carbohydrates, the primary source that provides energy.
Energy is needed first thing in the morning so that we can concentrate. As carbohydrates are digested, they turn into glucose, the main energy source used by the brain. Without glucose the brain simply won’t function effectively.
By having cereals in our daily diet we are helping lower our chances of heart diseases, diabetes, cancer and constipation. Cereals also provide aid in weight management.
Cereals are rich in vitamins and minerals such as foliate, magnesium, potassium and selenium.
Foliate plays an important role in our body, especially in cell division and growth. It helps in preventing damage to cellular DNA and therefore may reduce the risk of some cancers.
When our body consumes magnesium it helps protects against heart disease and heart attacks, high blood pressure and stroke. It also lowers your chance of developing type II diabetes and much more.

Vegetables:
Vegetables are low in fat and calories and contain no cholesterol making them an excellent snack to have at school or on the go. They provide a lot of important sources of nutrients such as vitamin A, B and C, Potassium, Fiber and foliate.
When we consume potassium it helps maintain healthy blood pressure and foliate helps our body form healthy red blood cells. Dietary fiber reduces blood cholesterol levels and lowers the risk of heart disease.
Vitamin A keeps your eyes and skin healthy and protects them against potential infections.
One of the other vitamins our body requires a lot of is vitamin C. If we are ever injured, the vitamin C in our body helps cuts and wounds. It also protects our teeth and gums and keeps them healthy.
By eating vegetables you are reducing your risk of stroke, cancer, type II diabetes, heart disease and obesity.

Dairy:
Dairy is an important part of your diet especially during childhood and adolescence when bone mass is being built.
The main nutrient that comes out of dairy is calcium. Dairy is the primary source of calcium and makes up 75% of our calcium intake. Calcium provides multiple positives in our body. It helps build and improve bones and maintain bone mass throughout your life. It speeds up the rate at which calories are burned and also makes it easier to lose weight and prevent high blood pressure.
It has been shown that calcium lowers your chances of