Humans have been smoking foods for almost 2 million years, but what chemical compounds give smoky flavours and what are the reactions that generate them? The latest edition of Periodic Graphics in C&EN takes a look. View the full graphic on the C&EN site.
That smoking causes cancer is a well known and scientifically proven fact. Everyone knows that nicotine is present in cigarettes, and causes addiction to smoking; however, what’s a little less well known is the range of chemicals contained within cigarette smoke that can lead to carcinogenic (cancer causing) effects, and what other effects they can have on the body. The effects of some of these chemicals also explain why it’s advised that women shouldn’t smoke during pregnancy.
