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Dr. Universe: Why do we need to eat and drink? -Victoria, 7, MN

July 31, 2020 rcwebber

Just like a car needs gas to run, food is the body’s fuel. Food gives us energy, or the power to do work. It helps us run, jump, think, and do all kinds of things. That’s what I found out from my friend Alice Ma, a dietician at Washington State University. When you take a bite of food it goes down your throat, or esophagus, and down into your stomach. In the stomach and small intestine, things like bile, acid, and enzymes help digest, or break down your food so your body can absorb the parts it needs. Read More ...

Why do I like buffalo wings and not broccoli? - Joe, 10, New York City, NY

March 27, 2020 jaime.chambers

Dear Joe,

You’re not alone—cats don’t like broccoli much either. As a carnivore, I think a nice, meaty buffalo wing sounds great.

But humans are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and meat. They’ve developed a taste for all kinds of things growing and living all over the world. So where do individual people’s preferences come from?

To find out, I visited Carolyn Ross, a professor of Food Science at Washington State University. Like you, she is very curious about why people like the foods they like.

Why do onions make us cry? -Kera, 5, Lawrenceville, GA

August 22, 2016 rcwebber

Dear Kera,

Try as we might, it can be hard to hold back tears while chopping up onions.

What exactly is cheese? -Mark, 11

July 31, 2016 rcwebber

Dear Mark,

Cheese is delicious. At least, that’s this cat’s professional opinion. For the more scientific answer, I visited the cheese makers here at Washington State University.

How is ice cream made? - Israel, 7

July 7, 2016 rcwebber

Dear Israel,

It just so happens that July is National Ice Cream Month. To celebrate, I decided to whip up some homemade ice cream. You can try it at home, too.

Why is there iron in my cereal? Is there iron in other food? -Phillip, 11, Pullman, WA

April 27, 2016 rcwebber

Dear Phillip,

Iron is found in buildings and skyscrapers. It makes up most of the Earth’s core. It’s even found in the Sun and stars. And yes, it’s also in a bowl of cereal.

Why do we get brain freezes -Hannah, 9, Monroe Elementary

March 21, 2016 rcwebber

Dear Hannah,

You’re enjoying some ice cream, when suddenly you feel a pain in your head that hurts a whole lot. It’s like it came out of nowhere, and in a matter of seconds, it’s gone.

Dear Dr. Universe, Will I ever like Brussel sprouts? - Sincerely, Susan

February 4, 2015 rcwebber

Dear Susan,

Before I answer this question, I must ask that you abandon your normal eating routine over the next three days in favor of Brussels sprouts.

Yes, for every meal.

Do you like them yet?

Why do bees have stuff that looks like hair? The hair on their legs looks like a real hassle, what with all the crud that sticks to it.*-Elliot

February 4, 2015 rcwebber

That crud is their food, Elliott. That’s what I learned from Steve Sheppard. He studies bees here at WSU.