Principal Component Analysis of Foods Nutrition Science Research
Mason Chen
Stanford University
Charles Chen
Morning Learning Center
This would address which Starbucks drinks among all coffee and tea options are best for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention and overall good health. A Science-based Health Index was constructed considering different coffee/tea constituents, including: saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, sugars, protein, and caffeine. Antioxidant activity of flavonoids from Caffeine contained within Coffee/Tea can reduce free radical formation and scavenge free radicals. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to explore all factors in the analysis and to inform on the utility of the health index. Principal Component 1 is more relevant to most unhealthy components such as sugars, carbohydrates, saturated fat, and total fat. Principal Component 2 is more related to healthy Caffeine nutrition. Additionally, Dietary Fiber and Caffeine are most opposite against the other unhealthy components along the direction of the both 1st and 2nd Principal Components. PCA. The PCA-based Health Index was also compared and correlated to the Science-based Health Index (about 70%-80% R-Square).