DNA is present in virtually all food derived from plants and animals. Here's a breakdown:
All food from plants or animals contains genes. In cooked or processed foods, most of the DNA has been destroyed or degraded and the genes are fragmented. Whether fresh or cooked, when we eat food, we digest it into its constituent parts from which we make our own genes and proteins. (How common are genes in food? | Royal Society royalsociety.org › news-resources › projects › gm-plants › how-common-a...)
Key Aspects of DNA in Food:
-
Source: DNA exists naturally in all plant and animal cells, meaning any food derived from these sources contains DNA.
-
Impact of Processing: Cooking and processing often degrade or fragment DNA in food.
-
Digestion: When we consume food containing DNA, our bodies break it down into its basic components. These components are then used to synthesize our own DNA and proteins.
-
Genes: Genes are contained within the DNA.
Summary
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Presence | Found in all plant- and animal-derived foods. |
Impact of Prep | Degraded by cooking and processing. |
Digestion | Broken down into components used to build our own biological molecules. |