Eggs Increase Health Benefits Found in Salads

June 4, 2015

Unlocking Word Meanings
 今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. pigment / ˈpɪg mənt / (n.) – a substance that naturally gives color to something
Example: We need a yellow pigment for the ink.

2. average /ˈæv ər ɪdʒ/ (adj.) – referring to the sum of all quantities divided by the number of quantities
Example: The average weight of a watermelon is seven kilograms.

3. nutrient / ˈnu tri ənt / (n.) – a substance that people need to be healthy
Example: People should eat vegetables that are rich in nutrients.

4. convert / kənˈvɜrt / (v.) – to change from one form to another
Example: Carbohydrates can be converted to energy.

5. adequate / ˈæd ɪ kwɪt / (adj.) – having enough of what is needed
Example: The number of eggs is adequate to make pancakes.


Article
 ニュース記事

Read the text below.
Adding eggs in salads can make them healthier, a recent research revealed.

Researchers from Purdue [puh r-DOO] University revealed that eggs can help the body absorb more carotenoids [kuh-ROT-n-oid] found from the vegetables in salads. Carotenoids are pigments, usually red, orange, and yellow, that many fruits and vegetables have.

For the study, the researchers asked 16 healthy young men to eat three types of raw mixed-vegetable salads. The first type had no egg, the second with one and a half scrambled eggs, and the third with three scrambled eggs. All salads had romaine lettuce, shredded carrots, goji berries, tomatoes, and baby spinach.

Results showed that men who ate the salad with three scrambled eggs had an increase in carotenoid absorption by three to nine times the average amount. The participants also got nutrients from the three scrambled eggs. In fact, 10% of the lutein [LOO-tee-in] and 14% of the zeaxanthin [zee-yuh-ZAN-thin] consumed by the participants came from the eggs. Lutein and zeaxanthin are nutrients that help prevent eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.

Carotenoids are important to human health because some of its types can be converted into vitamin A. An adequate consumption of vitamin A helps preserve healthy skin, teeth, skeletal tissue, and mucous [MYOO-kuh s] membranes. Carotenoids also function as antioxidants, which help prevent cancer and heart disease.

Other sources of carotenoids are carrots, tomatoes, pumpkins, cantaloupes, apricots, spinach, and broccoli. Sweet potatoes and turnips also contain a substantial amount of carotenoids.

Viewpoint Discussion
 ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         After reading the article, would you start eating more salads with eggs? Why or why not?
·         What do you think can be the danger of eating too many eggs?

Discussion B

·         What do you think is the healthiest type of food? Why?
·         What types of food do you think are very unhealthy?

June 4, 2015