Scientists warn the western US could face a 'mega-drought'

[Ricter]

The bad news is, this "climate trend" will undoubtedly dry up more grain producing areas in W. North America, indeed it already is (try to get an irrigation allotment in S. Alberta!). I think it plausible it will affect the Asian continent's west similarly.

The good news is that with less starch in our diets we're likely to see a fall in the rate of obesity and diabetes!

: )

 

[dbphoenix]

The bad news is, this "climate trend" will undoubtedly dry up more grain producing areas in W. North America, indeed it already is (try to get an irrigation allotment in S. Alberta!). I think it plausible it will affect the Asian continent's west similarly.

The good news is that with less starch in our diets we're likely to see a fall in the rate of obesity and diabetes!

: )

Haven't you heard? It's not starch; it's sugar.

 

[Ricter]

Haven't you heard? It's not starch; it's sugar.

Yes and no. Starch becomes sugar during digestion. However, most folks find eating the bread under a pizza (say, 300 gm of carbohydrate) far easier to do and more palatable than eating the same amount of carbohydrate in the form of table sugar. So they'll do the former a lot more often than the latter.

 

[dbphoenix]

Yes and no. Starch becomes sugar during digestion. However, most folks find eating the bread under a pizza (say, 300 gm of carbohydrate) far easier to do and more palatable than eating the same amount of carbohydrate in the form of table sugar. So they'll do the former a lot more often than the latter.

Which isn't necessarily a bad thing if it's no-fat whole wheat.

As for the sugar, yes, but different types of sugar -- sucrose, glucose, fructose, lactose, etc -- are metabolized and stored differently. So eating a slice of whole wheat bread beats eating a candy bar.

 

[Ricter]

Which isn't necessarily a bad thing if it's no-fat whole wheat.

As for the sugar, yes, but different types of sugar -- sucrose, glucose, fructose, lactose, etc -- are metabolized and stored differently. So eating a slice of whole wheat bread beats eating a candy bar.

Imo one has to consider the glycemic load of the bread and the candy bar, which is going to vary by brand and size, of course. Some candy has a surprisingly low GL, particularly if it has, e.g. nuts included.

 

[dbphoenix]

Imo one has to consider the glycemic load of the bread and the candy bar, which is going to vary by brand and size, of course. Some candy has a surprisingly low GL, particularly if it has, e.g. nuts included.

Actually the GI is passe now. Didn't you get the memo?

 

[Ricter]

Actually the GI is passe now. Didn't you get the memo?

I did. Note that I said glycemic load. : )

Anyway, just having fun with the thought of worldwide grain shortages. Whee!

 

[dbphoenix]

I did. Note that I said glycemic load. : )

Anyway, just having fun with the thought of worldwide grain shortages. Whee!

Yes. I was referring to the glycemic index, not the gastrointestinal tract.

What we really need is a worldwide sugar shortage.

 

[loyek590]

The days in drought and the hectares affected are rising, albeit still scattered. Still, the likelihood of "bunching" and persistence are why would one expect more megadroughts in our future.

But, math is hard.

yeah well, this is USA so we are not really worried about "hectares". If you want to talk to us why don't you learn something about "acres". Otherwise, just shut up, nobody in America gives a shit what you Canadians think.