Naked Science Forum

On the Lighter Side => That CAN'T be true! => Topic started by: Tortoise on 20/11/2004 01:51:37

Title: Preservatives in Food Affecting Decomosition
Post by: Tortoise on 20/11/2004 01:51:37

I have heard from a notoriously unreliable source that corpses are decomposing more slowly in recent years due to preservatives in food.  This makes no sense to me, and yet I can't seem to find evidence to refute this, and I do see similar things on the Net when I search (such as on the "how stuff works site": http://people.howstuffworks.com/question712.htm).  But nothing really authoritative one way or the other.

Have the esteemed scientists here heard anything like this?  Thanks!

Title: Re: Preservatives in Food Affecting Decomosition
Post by: Ylide on 12/12/2004 05:16:51

I've heard from a fairly reliable source that this is in fact true.  (My biochemistry professor)  Most things that get taken into your body that aren't directly harmful can accumulate in your tissues.  If these substances are toxic to decomposition-causing microorganisms, then they will almost certainly inhibit decomposition until they oxidize into something the micros can eat.



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