78 OUR BODIES AND HOW WE LIVE 



gas, are widely used. They are known by a great variety 

 of names, as ginger ale, soda water, and the like. When 

 taken in moderation they are harmless. Tea, coffee, and 

 chocolate are the more common artificial drinks. 



116. The Effect of drinking Tea and Coffee. Tea and 

 coffee have little or no value as foods. Some persons 

 cannot drink even a single cup of coffee or tea without 

 feeling worse for it : headache, indigestion, heartburn, 

 wakefulness at night, and constipation are the most com- 

 mon after effects. Strong tea should never be used. 



Hard-working women and others, from choice or neces- 

 sity, too often make their meals of dry toast and several 

 cups of strong tea. Taken in excess, tea may disturb 

 the action of the heart and produce the peculiar beating 

 known as palpitation. 



117. Cooking. The art of cooking and serving food 

 well plays an important part in the matter of health, 

 and thus of comfort and happiness. Food is more readily 

 chewed and more easily digested after it is properly cooked. 

 Thus, raw meat is tough and tenacious, but may become 

 tender and palatable after it is cooked. Vegetables and 

 cereals are softened by cooking so that they are more 

 easily acted upon 'by the digestive fluids. Cooking also 

 brings out flavors in food which stir the appetite and 

 promote the flow of digestive fluids. 



Again, cooking kills any minute parasites or germs of 

 disease that may exist in raw food. 



Thus, proper cooking not only adds to the comfort and 

 health of daily living but also removes some important 

 causes of disease. 



Every young person should be taught to cook properly 

 a few of the more common and important articles of food. 



