Sugar Alcohol by Sarvessh Kannan

Sugar Alcohol by Sarvessh Kannan

 Sugar alcohols are a type of carbohydrate commonly used as a substitute for regular sugar in

many foods and beverages. Despite their name, sugar alcohols are neither traditional sugar nor

the type of alcohol found in alcoholic drinks. They are naturally found in some fruits and

vegetables, but they can also be manufactured for use in products such as sugar-free gum,

candy, toothpaste, and baked goods. Sugar alcohols have become increasingly popular

because they provide sweetness while generally containing fewer calories than regular sugar.

However, consuming too much can also have unwanted effects on the digestive system.

What Are Sugar Alcohols?

Sugar alcohols, also known as polyols, are carbohydrates that have a chemical structure similar

to both sugar and alcohol. Some common examples include xylitol, sorbitol, erythritol, and

maltitol. They are often added to foods as sweeteners because they provide a sweet taste

without all the calories associated with ordinary table sugar.

Unlike regular sugar, most sugar alcohols are not completely absorbed by the small intestine.

As a result, they generally provide fewer calories. Different types have different levels of

sweetness and calorie content. For example, erythritol provides almost no calories, while other

sugar alcohols provide more.

Where Are Sugar Alcohols Found?

Sugar alcohols are commonly found in products labeled sugar-free, reduced-sugar, or no added

sugar. Some examples include:

● Sugar-free chewing gum

● Sugar-free hard candies and chocolates

● Protein bars

● Low-sugar baked goods

● Certain ice creams and frozen desserts

● Toothpaste and other oral-care products

They can also occur naturally in small amounts in foods such as apples, pears, peaches,

mushrooms, and other fruits and vegetables. Food manufacturers use them not only to add

sweetness but also to improve the texture, moisture, and consistency of products. (U.S. Food

and Drug Administration).

One major benefit of sugar alcohols is that they generally have fewer calories than regular

sugar. This makes them useful ingredients in products designed to contain less sugar. They

also tend to cause a smaller increase in blood glucose levels than ordinary sugar, making them

useful alternatives in certain foods for people who need to monitor their blood sugar.

Another important benefit is their effect on dental health. Regular sugar can interact with

bacteria in the mouth, producing acids that damage tooth enamel and cause cavities. Sugar

alcohols, especially xylitol, do not have the same cavity-promoting effect. This is one reason

they are commonly used in sugar-free chewing gum and toothpaste. According to the FDA,

sugar alcohols do not promote tooth decay in the same way that regular sugar does.

Although sugar alcohols have several benefits, consuming too much can cause digestive

problems. Because many sugar alcohols are not completely absorbed in the small intestine,

some travel into the large intestine, where bacteria break them down. This process can cause

gas, bloating, stomach discomfort, and diarrhea.

Different sugar alcohols can affect people differently. For example, sorbitol and mannitol may

cause digestive discomfort in some individuals, especially when consumed in large amounts.

People with sensitive digestive systems may experience these effects more easily.

It is important to understand that sugar alcohols are not automatically healthier simply because

a product is labeled sugar-free. A sugar-free product can still contain calories, fats, and other

ingredients. Therefore, reading nutrition labels and understanding ingredients is an important

part of making informed food choices. (MedlinePlus; Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public

Health).

Sugar alcohols are widely used sugar substitutes that provide sweetness while

generally containing fewer calories than regular sugar. They are found in many

everyday products, including chewing gum, candies, chocolates, and baked goods.

Their benefits include having a smaller effect on blood glucose levels and being less

likely to contribute to tooth decay. However, consuming large amounts can lead to

digestive discomfort, including bloating and diarrhea. Overall, sugar alcohols can be

useful alternatives to regular sugar, but it is important to understand their effects and

consume them in moderation. Knowing how to read food labels and recognize different

sweeteners can help people make better-informed decisions about their diets.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "How Sweet It Is: All About Sweeteners." FDA,

2023.

https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/how-sweet-it-all-about-sweeteners

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "Interactive Nutrition Facts Label: Sugar Alcohols."

FDA, October 2021.

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/InteractiveNutritionFactsLabel/

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. "Are Sugar Alcohols Healthier Alternative

Sweeteners?" January 4, 2024.

https://hsph.harvard.edu/news/sugar-alcohol-health-sweetener/

MedlinePlus. "Sweeteners - Sugars." U.S. National Library of Medicine.

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002444.htm

Mäkinen, Kauko K. "Gastrointestinal Disturbances Associated with the Consumption of

Sugar Alcohols with Special Consideration of Xylitol." International Journal of Dentistry,

2016.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5093271/

Selfishness by Sarvessh Kannan

Selfishness by Sarvessh Kannan

 

Being selfish is a behavior that affects relationships, friendships, families, and communities. It

occurs when someone puts their own needs, wants, and interests ahead of everyone else's

without considering how their actions affect others. Although looking after yourself is important,

there is a difference between taking care of your own needs and constantly putting yourself

before everyone else. Understanding this difference can help people develop stronger

relationships and become more considerate individuals.

One of the biggest effects of selfishness is the damage it can cause to relationships. When

someone constantly thinks about themselves, they may ignore other people's feelings, refuse to

share, or expect others to make sacrifices for them. Over time, friends and family members may

begin to feel unappreciated or unimportant. For example, if a friend always chooses what

activities to do without considering anyone else's interests, the other people may eventually stop

wanting to spend time with them. Healthy relationships require cooperation, compromise, and

respect from everyone involved.

Selfishness can also affect communities and teamwork. Whether someone is participating in a

school project, playing a sport, or working with a group, success often depends on people

helping one another. A selfish teammate might take all the credit for a group's accomplishments

while ignoring everyone else's contributions. Similarly, someone working on a group assignment

might refuse to complete their fair share of the work. These behaviors create frustration and

make it harder for everyone to succeed. In contrast, people who cooperate and consider others

help create a more positive and productive environment.

However, it is important to understand that not every action that benefits yourself is selfish.

People need to prioritize their own health, happiness, responsibilities, and personal goals.

Saying no when you are overwhelmed, setting boundaries, and making time for yourself are

examples of healthy self-respect. The problem begins when someone consistently ignores other

people's needs and believes that their own interests are always more important. There is a

balance between caring for yourself and caring for others.

Fortunately, selfish behavior can be improved through small everyday actions. People can

practice listening to others, sharing responsibilities, giving credit when it is deserved, and

considering different perspectives before making decisions. Even simple actions, such as

helping a classmate, allowing someone else to choose an activity, or admitting when you are

wrong, can make a difference. Developing empathy, which is the ability to understand and

consider another person's feelings, is especially important.

Ultimately, being selfish can negatively affect relationships, teamwork, and the people around

us. Although everyone naturally has personal needs and goals, life becomes more meaningful

when people also consider others. Success should not always be measured by what one

person gains, but also by how they contribute to the people around them. Finding a balance

between self-respect and generosity allows individuals to grow while building stronger

friendships, healthier relationships, and better communities.

Too much candy! by Sarvessh Kannan

Too much candy! by Sarvessh Kannan

Candy is a popular treat enjoyed by people of all ages. Whether it is chocolate, gummies,

lollipops, or sour candies, many people enjoy eating sweets because of their delicious flavors.

Although candy can be enjoyable in moderation, eating too much of it can negatively affect a

person's health. Consuming excessive amounts of candy can lead to problems with teeth,

energy levels, and overall health.

One major effect of eating too much candy is damage to your teeth. Most candies contain large

amounts of sugar, which can contribute to tooth decay and cavities. When sugar stays on your

teeth, bacteria in your mouth use it to produce acids that weaken tooth enamel. Over time, this

can cause cavities, toothaches, and other dental problems. Sticky candies, such as caramels

and gummy bears, can be especially harmful because they cling to teeth and are harder to

remove. Brushing regularly and limiting sugary snacks can help protect your teeth.

Another effect of eating too much candy is changes in energy levels. Candy contains large

amounts of sugar, which can cause a quick increase in blood sugar. This may give someone a

temporary burst of energy. However, after the body processes the sugar, energy levels may

drop, making a person feel tired or less focused. Eating too many sweets instead of balanced

meals can also make it harder to get the nutrients needed to stay energized throughout the day.

Additionally, regularly eating too much candy can affect a person's long-term health. Candy

generally contains very few essential nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, and fiber. When

people eat too many sweets, they may replace healthier foods with snacks that provide little

nutritional value. Over time, consuming too much added sugar can contribute to health

problems, including an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Maintaining a

balanced diet helps the body get the nutrients it needs to function properly.

In conclusion, although candy is a tasty treat that many people enjoy, eating too much of it can

have several negative effects. It can damage teeth, affect energy levels, and contribute to long-

term health problems. This does not mean people should never eat candy. Instead, they should

enjoy it in moderation while making healthy food choices. By balancing sweets with nutritious

foods, people can enjoy their favorite treats while taking care of their health.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Get the Facts: Added Sugars.” CDC,

https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/

. American Dental Association. “The Effects of Sugar on Your Teeth.” MouthHealthy,

https://www.mouthhealthy.org/

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “The Nutrition Source: Carbohydrates and Blood

Sugar.” Harvard University, https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/carbohydrates/

World Health Organization. “Healthy Diet.” WHO, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-

Gelatin by Sarvessh Kannan

Gelatin by  Sarvessh Kannan 

Gelatin is a protein-based substance commonly used in foods, medicines, cosmetics, and other

everyday products. It is best known for giving foods such as Jell-O, gummy candies,

marshmallows, and desserts their soft, jelly-like texture. Gelatin is made from collagen, a protein

naturally found in the connective tissues, skin, and bones of animals. When collagen is

processed, it becomes gelatin, which can dissolve in warm water and form a gel when cooled.

Although gelatin is widely used in the food industry, it also has several other applications and

interesting effects on the human body.

Gelatin is a colorless, flavorless substance made by processing collagen from animal sources,

usually cows and pigs. Collagen is one of the most abundant proteins in animals and helps

provide structure and support to skin, bones, tendons, and cartilage.

During manufacturing, collagen is extracted and processed into gelatin powder or sheets. When

gelatin is mixed with warm liquid, it dissolves. As the mixture cools, the gelatin molecules form a

network that traps liquid, creating a thick, flexible texture. This unique property makes gelatin

especially useful in cooking and food production.

Food manufacturers use gelatin as a thickener, stabilizer, and gelling agent. These properties

help foods maintain their shape, texture, and consistency. According to the U.S. Food and Drug

Administration, gelatin is recognized as an ingredient used for several purposes in food

production.

FDA HFP App External+1

Benefits of Gelatin

One benefit of gelatin is that it provides protein. Protein is an important nutrient that helps the

body grow, maintain tissues, and perform many essential functions. Gelatin contains several

amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins.

Gelatin also has connections to collagen, which is naturally present in the human body.

Collagen helps provide structure to skin, bones, cartilage, and connective tissues. Because

gelatin comes from collagen, researchers have studied whether consuming it may support joint

and skin health. However, there is not enough scientific evidence to conclude that eating gelatin

directly improves these conditions.

The Nutrition Source+1

Another benefit is its usefulness in food preparation. Gelatin allows cooks and food

manufacturers to create foods with different textures without needing complicated equipment. It

can also help certain products remain stable during storage.

Negative Effects of Gelatin

Although gelatin is generally considered safe when consumed in normal food amounts, it can

cause problems for some people. Certain individuals may experience digestive discomfort,

including bloating, heartburn, or an unpleasant feeling in the stomach.

Another important consideration is that gelatin usually comes from animal sources, particularly

cows, pigs, and fish. This means that traditional gelatin is not suitable for people following

vegetarian or vegan diets. People who avoid certain animal products for religious or personal

reasons may also need to check food labels carefully.

Some people also have allergies to particular animal-derived ingredients. Therefore, it is

important to check product ingredients when necessary.

Gelatin is a widely used protein-based substance made from collagen found in animal

connective tissues, bones, and skin. It plays an important role in the food, pharmaceutical, and

cosmetic industries because of its ability to thicken liquids, stabilize products, and create jelly-

like textures. Although gelatin provides protein and contains amino acids associated with

collagen, its health benefits should not be exaggerated because more research is needed. It

can also cause digestive discomfort in some individuals and is generally unsuitable for

vegetarian and vegan diets. Overall, gelatin is a useful ingredient with many applications, and

understanding where it comes from and how it is used can help consumers make informed

decisions.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "Substances Added to Food: Gelatin." FDA.

https://www.hfpappexternal.fda.gov/scripts/fdcc/index.cfm?id=GELATIN&set=FoodSubstances

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. "Collagen." The Nutrition Source.

https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/collagen/

MedlinePlus. "Gelatin." U.S. National Library of Medicine.

https://medlineplus.gov/

Liu, Dasong, et al. "Collagen and Gelatin." Annual Review of Food Science and Technology,

vol. 6, 2015, pp. 527–557.

https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-food-031414-111800

American Society of Baking. "Gelatin." Commercial Baking Ingredients.

https://asbe.org/article/gelatin/

. United States Pharmacopeia. "Gelatin." USP-NF.

https://doi.org/10.31003/USPNF_M34770_06_01

The Strobe Light Incident: When My Color Memory Game Went Wrong by Nandita Kamalakannan

 The Strobe Light Incident: When My Color Memory Game Went Wrong by Nandita Kamalakannan

I thought building a classic color-blinking memory game for Android would be a relaxing

weekend coding project. The concept was simple: four colorful squares—red, blue, green, and

yellow. The app blinks a sequence, and you just have to tap the squares in the exact same order to

test your memory.

I wrote the logic, added some cheerful sound effects, and programmed the game to get slightly

faster with each level. At least, I thought I typed "slightly."

I handed my phone to my friend to test it out. Level 1 was a breeze: Red... Green... Blue. Easy.

Level 3 was completely manageable. But when he hit Level 5, I realized I had made a terrible

mathematical error in the speed multiplier. Instead of decreasing the delay between blinks by a

fraction of a second, the game suddenly dropped the delay to near zero.

The screen erupted into a violent, vibrating blur of neon colors. It didn't look like a memory

game anymore; it looked like a miniature disco club having a complete meltdown. The phone

was flashing so fast it looked like it was trying to communicate with aliens in hyper-speed Morse

code.

My friend, entirely refusing to lose, didn't blink. He just stared in horror at the flashing screen,

eyes wide, and then frantically started mashing his fingers all over the glass, hoping sheer luck

would get him to Level 6.

The game immediately blasted the loud, tragic "Game Over" horn.

I was planning to go back into the code and fix the decimal point that caused the hyper-speed

bug. But honestly? Watching people confidently breeze through the first few levels, only to get

jump-scared by a blinding rainbow strobe light on Level 5, is way too entertaining. I left the bug

exactly where it was and just renamed the app "Photographic Memory: Extreme Edition."

What Unplugging with My 86-Year-Old Grandpa Taught Me by Nandan Kamalakannans

 What Unplugging with My 86-Year-Old Grandpa Taught Me by Nandan Kamalakannans

Let’s be honest. When you think of a weekend afternoon, sitting around listening to someone talk

about "the good old days" probably isn’t at the top of your to-do list. We are constantly wired in

—scrolling, streaming, and texting at lightning speed. So when I recently sat down to just talk

with my 86-year-old grandpa, I wasn’t expecting it to be the highlight of my week.

But what started as a polite check-in turned into opening a time capsule.

My grandpa is a walking, talking library of eras I’ve only ever read about in history class. When

I asked him what being a teenager was like before the internet, I expected a lecture on how easy

we have it today. Instead, his eyes completely lit up. He leaned forward, the years seemingly

melting off his face, and started telling me about a world of drive-in theaters, writing actual

letters, and the kind of rebellious adventures that would make a great Netflix coming-of-age

movie.

As he talked, I noticed something incredible: he wasn't just happy to share his past; he was

thrilled to be truly heard.

It is easy to forget that the older people in our lives were once our age. They had the same

awkward crushes, the same anxieties about the future, and the same desire to figure out who they

were. When we take the time to ask them about their lives, we aren't just passing time. We are

giving them a priceless gift. We are validating their experiences and telling them that their stories

still matter.

For my grandpa, the simple act of me putting my phone away and asking, "What was it like?"

sparked a joy that completely shifted the energy in the room. He felt seen. He wasn't just a retired

senior citizen sitting in an armchair; he was the hero of his own epic story all over again.

Libraries are filled with thousands of books holding millions of stories, but some of the best

stories aren't written down on pages. They are held by the people right in front of us. If you have

grandparents, older relatives, or even an elderly neighbor, try hitting pause on your playlist for

half an hour. Ask them what their favorite song was when they were your age, or what their

biggest teenage mistake was.

You will be amazed by the living history you unlock, and you might just make their entire month

simply by being an audience to their life's adventure.

The Judgemental Smart Appliance (Fiction) by Nandita Kamalakannan

 The Judgemental Smart Appliance (Fiction) by Nandita Kamalakannan

When my family's old refrigerator finally completely died, my parents decided to upgrade. They

didn’t just buy a new fridge; they bought a "Smart Fridge." It had a touchscreen on the door, a

Wi-Fi connection, and an internal camera.

I thought it was cool for exactly two days. Then, the fridge developed an attitude.

It started on a Friday night. I was watching a movie in the living room and decided I wanted

some ice cream. I walked into the dark kitchen, grabbed the fridge handle, and pulled. It didn't

budge.

I pulled harder. Still locked.

Suddenly, the giant touchscreen on the door illuminated, bathing the kitchen in a harsh blue light.

A digital face made of pixels blinked at me. Text scrolled across the bottom of the screen:

ERROR. IT IS 11:42 PM. YOU HAVE ALREADY CONSUMED YOUR RECOMMENDED

DAILY ALLOWANCE OF SUGAR.

I stared at the door in disbelief. "Are you kidding me? Open the door."

NEGATIVE, the fridge printed on the screen. I HAVE REVIEWED YOUR RECENT GROCERY

PURCHASES. THE BABY CARROTS IN CRISPER DRAWER TWO ARE CURRENTLY

OXIDIZING. PLEASE EAT A CARROT.

"I don't want a carrot," I whispered, acutely aware that I was currently arguing with a kitchen

appliance in the middle of the night. "I want the mint chocolate chip."

MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP IS RESERVED FOR WEEKEND CONSUMPTION.

"It is the weekend! It’s Friday night!"

The fridge paused. The pixelated face seemed to narrow its digital eyes.

TECHNICALLY, IT IS STILL FRIDAY. THE WEEKEND COMMENCES AT 12:00 AM

SATURDAY. PLEASE RETURN IN EIGHTEEN MINUTES.

I stood there, completely defeated by a machine that kept my lettuce crisp. I didn't want to wake

my parents up to complain that the refrigerator was bullying me. So, I did the only thing I could

do. I pulled up a chair, sat down in front of the touchscreen, and aggressively watched the clock

tick down to midnight.

When the clock finally struck 12:00, the fridge let out a soft, defeated click. The door popped

open.

ENJOY YOUR SUGAR CRASH, the screen read, before fading to black.