Gardening Snippet #2002-001
We are what we grow and eat!
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(hint: read this short page, in its entirety, and then go back and try it for yourself)
If it's true that we are what we grow and eat, who would not be interested in knowing exactly what is in the plants
that we are growing and eating? If we REALLY want to know, many answers are easily obtainable (thanks to Dr. Duke!).
Try this example query:
- click this link: phytochemical database
- DO NOT CHANGE any default setting (once the page loads),
- type corn, in the "name to be searched" field,
- click the Submit Query button (directly beneath that entry field),
- select corn, from the presented list of items,
- DO NOT CHANGE any other default setting on the page,
- click the Submit Query button.
What you will be presented with (as a result of this query) is an extensive list of all chemicals in corn, including details
as to which part of the plant (cob, leaf, kernel/seed, etc.) contains which chemicals (and how much of each). Now go try your own
query; on lettuce, or spinach, or tomato, or whatever. It's a bit overwhelming, is it not? I mean, all that stuff is in those things which
we can grow and eat!
(it's about now, the reader says)
"Okay wise guy, all of us are not chemists! What's your point? Is there some practical
application for the layman here?"
I'm so glad you raised that issue, and posed that question! I'll try to give you at least one good reason, for being interested
in which chemicals are in which food sources:
How much do you (also family & friends) expend on dietary supplements each year? Is it possible; that
alternatively (for much less and in many cases, absolutely for free), you could save a few (and perhaps many) dollars
-- and at the same time get great enjoyment out of foraging for, and harvesting your own?
In other words; what if you choose to grow (and/or forage for) plants which are particularly high, in a certain chemical? You could
utilize an alternative query form, to search this same phytochemical database, to obtain the necessary info! For
example; one might ask:
"Which part(s) of which plant(s) are particularly high in calcium, copper, gold, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, or zinc?"
You don't know, right off-hand? Why not put this
alternative query
form to the test? Come on now, give it a try! Why not perform a query on the keyword iron
(or other things which may be particularly crucial to your specific needs)? You just might be surprised by all the rich
sources thereof! Perhaps they already naturally occur, right in your own backyard (or very close-by)?
-- Karl
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(NOTE: This "Gardening Snippet #2002-001" article and its associated images
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