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Everything we eat, drink, feel, and see around us is made up of chemistry. There’s no way to live a life without chemicals, as every element and compound we use is chemical in nature. Today, let’s take a brief look at the fundamentals of chemistry.

Chemistry is a natural science that deals with the properties, composition, and reactions of matter at the molecular level. It helps us understand how different substances interact with one another and what effects they may have on our health. An important principle of toxicology is: The dose makes the poison. Any substance can be toxic if ingested in excessive amounts. Even water, which is essential for our lives, can become dangerous in overdose situations.

Natural vs. Synthetic

Although it’s often assumed that natural products are inherently better or safer than synthetic ones, there is actually no difference in the end result. One example is penicillin, an important antibiotic that can be produced through both synthetic processes and extraction from a mold. Different processes, yet the same result.

If you still prefer the natural option, you should be aware that nature doesn’t always have our best interests at heart. Poisonous animals and plants have evolved over time to protect themselves from predators and can thus be dangerous to humans. Every year, thousands of people around the world die from snake bites and other animal venoms. Nature doesn’t care for our well-being. It wants to kill us.

So, what do you do after a snake bite? A sensible person wouldn’t rely on natural products after being bitten by a venomous snake but would trust proper medical treatment in the form of a synthetically produced antivenom.

There is No Difference Between Natural and Synthetic Products

Here’s an example: Water consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom bonded together by covalent bonds. This means that the arrangement and number of atoms in water are identical regardless of its origin. Whether the water is generated naturally in the water cycle or synthesized in a laboratory through electrolysis, it remains the same chemical compound.

H₂O is always H₂O. That doesn’t sound particularly concerning. Quite the opposite for the term dihydrogen monoxide. This term has even made headlines to illustrate people's gullibility and their willingness to consider chemically sounding terms as dangerous without further questioning.

Reports have stated that DHMO can be present in drinking water and can be fatal when consumed in excess. It has been pointed out that it is used in the production of hazardous chemicals, that it can be deadly when inhaled, and that it contributes to soil erosion.

So, while these are technically correct statements, they are intentionally misleading in their communication.

DHMO is just another name for water.

• Di = 2

• Hydrogen = Hydrogen

• Mono = 1

• Oxide = Oxygen

So, H₂O. This can easily mislead gullible people. Cheers to a glass of dihydrogen monoxide!

The Chemistry Behind Natural Foods

Many people take a look at the ingredient list on food packaging and worry when they see E-numbers or complex chemical names. What many don’t realize is that these chemical compounds are present even in the most natural foods that come straight from nature’s embrace.

Let’s consider an everyday fruit like the peach. At first glance, one might think a peach is simply made up of water, fructose, and maybe a few vitamins. However, even such a “completely natural peach” ultimately consists of a variety of chemical compounds. These substances are crucial for the taste, texture, and nutritional value of the peach.

E-numbers and similar designations are often just simplified representations of these natural components.

Closing Words

Everything around us is made of chemistry, from the air we breathe to the food we eat and the medicines we take. A life without chemistry is impossible, as even our own bodies are made of chemical compounds.