Better nutrition from your Thanksgiving feast

+ the real first Thankgiving meal; 'constructive arguing' at family gatherings US Edition - Today's top story: Thanksgiving sides are delicious and can be nutritious − here's the biochemistry of how to maximize the benefits [View in browser]( US Edition | 23 November 2023 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( Top headlines - [The harsh reality of white settlement on Native land]( - [How Plimoth Plantation actually survived]( - [Had your dessert? Try our news quiz to burn some calories]( Lead story Science and nutrition may not be the first things you associate with Thanksgiving, but the holiday does provide an opportunity to learn about the biochemistry of food. I worked with two chemists from the University of Richmond, Julie Pollock and Kristine Nolin, to explain some of the chemical quirks behind holiday favorites. The way you prepare your veggie-rich side dishes can influence how [your body absorbs the important nutrients in them](, Pollock writes. For example, greens, such as collard greens, spinach and green beans, contain vitamin K, which improves your bone health and immune system function. But if you really want to reap the benefits of these micronutrients, you can prepare them certain ways to help them get distributed throughout your body – usually, only 3% to 10% of micronutrients make it to where they need to be. Nolin, meanwhile, explains [the chemistry of gluten](, which allows bread, rolls and baked goods to rise and become deliciously fluffy. She teaches a food chemistry class, and most of her students don’t initially know what gluten really is – a sugar, carbohydrate or protein. As she explains, the answer’s actually none of the above. [ [Miss us on Sundays? Get a selection of our best and most popular stories (or try our other weekly emails).]([]]( Mary Magnuson Assistant Science Editor Side dishes made with colorful vegetables are a holiday staple for many. VeselovaElena/iStock via Getty Images [Thanksgiving sides are delicious and can be nutritious − here’s the biochemistry of how to maximize the benefits]( Julie Pollock, University of Richmond The turkey doesn’t have to be the star this Thanksgiving. Vegetable side dishes are packed with nutrients − depending on how you prepare them, they can help keep you energized this holiday season. Health + Medicine - [This Thanksgiving − and on any holiday − these steps will help prevent foodborne illness]( Kimberly Baker, Clemson University Keeping guests safe involves far more than just careful cooking − hand-washing, keeping work surfaces clean, safe handling and proper storage are also key ingredients. Science + Technology - [‘Constructive arguing’ can help keep the peace at your Thanksgiving table]( James M. Honeycutt, University of Texas at Dallas Talking with people who hold different political views doesn’t have to be an exercise in futile rage. Here are some tips to help you peacefully and fruitfully discuss spicy topics. - [Thank gluten’s complex chemistry for your light, fluffy baked goods]( Kristine Nolin, University of Richmond Ever wonder why bakers spend so long kneading their dough? They’re trying to form a gluten network, which helps the bread rise. Politics + Society - [How George Washington used his first Thanksgiving as president to unite a new country]( Maurizio Valsania, Università di Torino For his first presidential Thanksgiving, George Washington aimed to pull his country together in the face of the many internal divisions that could yank it apart. Environment + Energy - [Cranberries can bounce, float and pollinate themselves: The saucy science of a Thanksgiving classic]( Serina DeSalvio, Texas A&M University Cranberries add color and acidity to Thanksgiving menus, but they also have many interesting botanical and genetic features. Arts + Culture - [What the first Thanksgiving dinner actually looked like]( Julie Lesnik, Wayne State University Dishes we consider staples today have little to do with the first feast. - [How advertising shaped Thanksgiving as we know it]( Samantha N. N. Cross, Iowa State University At one point, turkey was jockeying with duck and chicken for king of the Thanksgiving table. - [Why the Pilgrims were actually able to survive]( Peter C. Mancall, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences The Pilgrims repeatedly thanked God for their good fortune. But without two earlier developments, the entire undertaking at New Plymouth would have likely failed. Ethics + Religion - [Thanksgiving stories gloss over the history of US settlement on Native lands]( Lisa Michelle King, University of Tennessee A scholar of Native American and Indigenous rhetorics writes about the harm done to Native American nations through colonization and what can be done to reduce it. - [What Americans can learn from other cultures about the language of gratitude]( Jeremy David Engels, Penn State; Elaine Hsieh, University of Oklahoma Cultures around the world say ‘thank yous’ in many different ways. Two communication scholars explain what these expressions can reveal to us. Trending on site - [Immune health is all about balance – an immunologist explains why both too strong and too weak an immune response can lead to illness]( - [What is fentanyl and why is it behind the deadly surge in US drug overdoses? A medical toxicologist explains]( - [Poor men south of Richmond? Why much of the rural South is in economic crisis]( The Conversation Quiz 🦃 Here’s the first question of [our special Thanksgiving edition:]( For maximum protection from bacteria when preparing your Thanksgiving turkey, the USDA recommends that you ... - A. Baste it with Neosporin - B. Boil it for 10 minutes before cooking - C. Leave it unwashed - D. Roast it until it's dry and tasteless [Test your knowledge]( - - More of The Conversation Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our weekly and biweekly emails: • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Science Editors' Picks]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Politics Weekly]( • [Global Perspectives]( • [Global Economy & Business]( Trying out new social media? Follow us: • [Threads]( • [Bluesky]( • [Mastodon](• [Post.news]( • [LinkedIn]( - - About The Conversation We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to [helping academic experts share ideas with the public](. 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