ZOE Science & Nutrition: Recent Episodes

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The world’s top scientists explain the latest health, nutrition, and gut health research and translate it into practical advice to improve your health & weight. Join ZOE Science & Nutrition, on a journey of scientific discovery. Hosted by Jonathan Wolf.

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Obesity is a physiological condition that can be managed with the right education and treatment.

In today's episode, Dr. Louis J. Aronne, a leading expert in obesity research, sheds light on the science behind weight management and obesity treatment.

Dr. Aronne dives into groundbreaking weight loss medications. He also explores how lifestyle and eating habits affect long-term health and why medications combined with dietary changes can unlock transformative results.

Louis J. Aronne, M.D. is a leading authority on obesity and its treatment. He’s a former president of The Obesity Society, which publishes the peer-reviewed scientific journal Obesity, of which Dr. Aronne is an associate editor. He has also authored more than 60 papers and book chapters on the topic.

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Timecodes

00:00 Introduction

01:01 Quickfire questions

03:51 What is obesity?

05:06 What’s the difference between overweight and obesity?

07:38 Why has there been such a quick rise in obesity?

10:55 Why it’s not just a lack of willpower

13:50 The complexity of weight regulation

15:54 What is Leptin and why is it so important for weight control?

19:51 The brain’s role in weight regulation

20:36 Curing obesity in animal studies

22:29 Why hunter-gatherers did not gain weight

23:58 Natural experiments in weight gain and loss

26:01 How medications can cause weight gain

28:42 The impact of calorie restriction diets

30:13 Reducing diabetes risk through weight loss

34:10 Research into medications as a tool for weight loss

38:36 How well do weight loss drugs work?

41:38 The future of weight loss drugs

43:51 Will you regain the weight if you stop taking weight loss drugs?

48:08 Can obesity be avoided without the use of drugs?

49:42 Concerns about weight loss drugs

Books by our ZOE Scientists:

  • Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
  • Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
  • Fibre Fuelled by Dr Will Bulsiewicz

Mentioned in today's episode:

  • Persistent metabolic adaptation 6 years after "The Biggest Loser" competition in Obesity
  • The Finnish diabetes prevention study (DPS) in Diabetes Care
  • The National Diabetes Prevention Program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.

Episode transcripts are available here.

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Our modern lifestyles mean that most of us don’t live our lives in sync with our circadian rhythms, which puts our health and well-being at risk. Eating and sleeping at the right time are important tools to help us align our circadian rhythms and reduce our risk of chronic disease.

In this episode, circadian rhythm expert Prof. Satchin Panda will tell us how light and food act as master regulators of our body clock, how aligning our lifestyles with our body clock can improve our health, mood and energy levels and how to do this in practice.

Satchin is a world-leading expert in the field of circadian rhythm research. He’s associate professor at the prestigious SALK institute, he’s recipient of the Dana Foundation Award in brain and immune system imaging and he’s also the author of two best-selling books, The Circadian Code and The Circadian Diabetes Code.

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Timecodes:

00:00 Introduction

01:00 Quickfire questions

03:02 What are circadian rhythms?

03:48 How do we know about circadian rhythms?

04:44 Are all body parts on a 24 hour clock?

06:40 How the body enters sleep mode

09:25 What happens during sleep?

12:08 Why you’re not sleeping enough

13:30 The surprising impact of daylight savings time

17:00 Circadian rhythms aren’t just about light

19:55 The dangers of shift work

21:20 Should you go to bed at sunset?

25:40 Why should stop snacking at night

26:10 Satchin’s famous mice study

33:00 The best eating window for health

37:27 Does intermittent fasting promote better food choices?

40:40 Should you drink black coffee when you wake up?

Satchin’s books:

  • The Circadian Code
  • The Circadian Diabetes Code

Books by our ZOE Scientists:

  • Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
  • Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
  • Fibre Fuelled by Dr Will Bulsiewicz

Studies referenced in today’s episode:

  • Effects of 3 months of 10-h per-day time-restricted eating and 3 months of follow-up on bodyweight and cardiometabolic health in Danish individuals at high risk of type 2 diabetes: the RESET single-centre, parallel, superiority, open-label, randomised controlled trial, published in Lancet Healthy Longevity
  • Neuronal reprogramming of mouse and human fibroblasts using transcription factors involved in suprachiasmatic nucleus development, published iScience
  • Learning from circadian rhythm to transform cancer prevention, prognosis, and survivorship care, published in Trends Cancer
  • The Untapped Potential of Circadian Timing as a Variable for Discoveries and Reproducibility, published in Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepato

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Episode transcripts are available here.

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After the tragic news of Michael Mosley's passing, we are re-releasing our episode with him, originally released in March 2023:

If you had to do just one thing to improve your health, what would it be?

Our busy lives mean it can be difficult to keep up healthy habits, and with so much conflicting advice out there it’s tricky to separate fact from fiction. In today’s episode, Jonathan is joined by medical doctor, journalist, and presenter Michael Mosley, who is alongside ZOE regular Tim Spector, to discuss Michael’s four key habits to improve our health.

Michael’s latest book ‘Just One Thing’ explores these habits and has seen him speak to singing scientists and eccentric iceman to healthy habit experts and evangelists. And of course, being Michael, he tried every habit out himself. We talk about which methods are the most effective, which he has incorporated into his life, and how he makes his new habits stick.

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Timecodes:

00:00Tim Spector's tribute to Michael

01:01 Introduction

01:55Quick Fire Questions

05:15Are cold showers good for you?

06:48How long do you need to be immersed in cold water for the benefits to work?

8:20Can cold showers improve mental wellbeing?

11:30Potential dangers of cold water swimming

12:45Do cultural differences present different outcomes across the world?

13:58Can these small stressors help us?

14:27What is the theory behind this working?

16:15Will this work for everyone or is this very personalized?

18:30What effects does breathing have on your health?

19:55How breathing exercises affect our brain

22:27How do you keep up the breathing exercises?

23:27ZOE app breathing exercise

25:40Is there a difference between breathing through your nose and your mouth?

27:20How important are plants and nature for our health?

30:25Can exposure to nature improve things like mental health and even gut health?

32:00Can herbs also help improve our health?

32:47What are the benefits of exercise?

33:30What are endo-cannibinoids?

34:41Are preferences for exercise genetic?

36:12Is it endorphins that make us feel good after / during exercise?

37:31How exercise affects us is extremely personalized

39:42How do we encourage people who don't enjoy exercise to do it?

41:13Tips to improve your exercise routines

44:08Are there benefits to walking downhill?

46:42Summary

Michael Mosley’s book 'Just One Thing' is available to buy here

Episode transcripts are available here

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Meat consumption continues to be high in both the US and the UK. Yet many governments advise reducing meat consumption, particularly red meat, due to both environmental and health concerns.

In this episode, we delve into the sizzling world of meat alternatives. They promise sustainability, animal welfare, and better health. Buzzwords like "plant-based" and "meat-free" proudly adorn their packaging. But are they actually healthy? Or should we consider them as ultra-processed foods and avoid them?

Christopher Gardner is a Professor of Medicine at Stanford University and the Director of the Stanford Prevention Research Centre, and a world-leading expert in how the food that we eat impacts our health.

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Timecodes:

00:00Introduction

01:25Quickfire questions

03:50What is a meat alternative?

05:22What's driving the trend for more alternatives?

07:47Should you eat less red meat?

08:38What is in meat alternatives?

10:22Traditional meats vs meat alternatives

13:41Are meat alternatives ultra-processed?

14:47Latest scientific studies

23:56What were the findings?

29:48Is the quality of the protein as good as real meat?

34:00Are meat alternatives healthy?

38:53Are whole food based meat alternatives healthier?

40:05What are the practical tips around meat alternatives?

43:21How do ultra-processed foods come into this?

45:23What are other ways people can transition away from red meat?

50:33What are the differences between bad and good quality meat?

📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:

  • Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
  • Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
  • Fibre Fuelled by Dr Will Bulsiewicz

Studies referenced in today’s episode:

  • Study With Appetizing Plantfood—Meat Eating Alternative Trial (SWAP-MEAT), published in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
  • SWAP-MEAT Athlete (study with appetizing plant-food, meat eating alternatives trial) a randomized crossover trial, published in Nutrition Journal.

Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.

Episode transcripts are available here.

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In today’s episode, we’re talking about periods.

Jonathan and Sarah are joined by “The internet’s gynecologist” Dr Jen Gunter to get a better understanding of our body's behavior during the menstrual cycle. Jen will provide you with her period toolkit and offer solutions to the most common problems of modern-day period health.

Dr. Jen Gunter is a gynecologist and pain medicine physician at the Permanente Medical Group in northern California. Her books ‘The Vagina Bible’ and ‘The Menopause Manifesto’ were both New York Times bestsellers. Her 2024 book ‘Blood’ tackles the science, medicine and mythology of menstruation.

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Timecodes:

00:00 Introduction

01:26 Quickfire questions

02:31 Shame culture around menstruation

04:20 The evolution and purpose of the menstrual cycle

06:30 Menstrual cycle mechanics

11:08 Understanding heavy periods and iron deficiency

14:01 Addressing period pain and discomfort

21:39 Diet, appetite, and periods: what's the connection?

26:09 Understanding PMS and PMDD

27:55 PMS causes and symptoms

30:52 Treatment options for PMS and PMDD

31:51 Demystifying polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

35:42 The role of diet and obesity in PCOS

37:32 Advice for managing PMS

40:19 Menstrual cramps and pain management

47:08 Iron supplementation strategies

Studies related to today’s episode:

  • Prevalence of Iron Deficiency and Iron-Deficiency Anemia in US Females Aged 12-21 Years, 2003-2020, from the Journal of the American Medical Association
  • The Role of Estrogen in Insulin Resistance: A Review of Clinical and Preclinical Data, from The American Journal of Pathology

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Episode transcripts are available here.

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55 million people suffer dementia worldwide with numbers expected to double every 20 years. Understanding the link between our heart health and brain function is critical, illuminating the profound impact that heart health has on preventing dementia.

Dr. William Li, an expert in cardiovascular and metabolic health. He reveals how caring for our heart is not just about longevity but maintaining sharp, effective brain function as we age. His groundbreaking work has impacted more than seventy diseases including diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Dr. Li is also a New York Times best-selling author.

In today’s episode, Dr. Li explains how simple lifestyle choices in diet, exercise and sleep can drastically shape our brain's health and stave off dementia.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to zoe.com/podcast, and get 10% off your membership.

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Timecodes

00:00 Introduction

01:23 Quickfire questions

03:30 Understanding dementia and Alzheimer's disease

04:50 Dementia versus ageing

06:35 The role of blood vessels in brain health

07:55 How circulation affects brain function

09:23 What causes blood clots and strokes?

11:06 The importance of maintaining healthy blood vessels

12:15 The impact of lifestyle choices on brain health

15:01 What happens in our brains when we sleep?

19:35 What is the glymphatic system?

22:40 Vascular dementia may be the most common form of dementia

24:35 The role of glucose in brain function

27:10 What causes dementia and why does it happen when we get older?

29:00 Preventing dementia with lifestyle changes

31:10 What are healthy blood vessels like?

37:50 The surprising role of EPCs in brain repair

41:30 Can you slow down or reverse dementia?

52:08 The connection between gut health and brain health

51:40 The importance of exercise for brain health

56:30 How to avoid dementia

01:01:16 The link between mental health and cardiovascular disease

Relevant studies:

  • A human brain vascular atlas reveals diverse mediators of Alzheimer’s risk, published in Nature
  • Heart-brain connections: Phenotypic and genetic insights from magnetic resonance images, published in Science
  • Cocoa flavanol consumption improves cognitive function, blood pressure control, and metabolic profile in elderly subjects: the Cocoa, Cognition, and Aging (CoCoA) Study—a randomized controlled trial, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Dr. William Li's books:

  • Eat to Beat Your Diet
  • Eat to Beat Disease

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Episode transcripts are available here.

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Inflammation is a complicated topic. Short-term inflammation plays an essential role in fighting infections and healing injuries. But too much inflammation can be a catalyst for chronic ailments, like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, autoimmune disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, and obesity.

What we eat can influence our inflammatory responses and contribute to chronic, low-grade inflammation.

In today’s episode, Prof. Philip Calder helps us understand the science behind inflammation, how it impacts our health and what food has to do with it.

Philip is head of the School of Human Development and Health, as well as a Professor of Nutritional Immunology, in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Southampton. He’s also an internationally recognised researcher on the metabolism and functionality of fatty acids. His work focuses on the roles of omega-3 fatty acids and the influence of diet and nutrients on immune and inflammatory responses.

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Timecodes

00:00 Introduction

01:20 Quickfire questions

02:55 The role of inflammation in immunity

05:30 Chronic inflammation and disease

08:30 How to measure inflammation

09:53 Low-grade inflammation and disease risk

12:30 What causes blood vessel inflammation?

15:23 What creates the narrowing of blood vessels?

17:20 How inflammation can cause blood clots, heart attacks and strokes

19:15 Inflammation and aging

21:40 Inflammation and lifestyle factors

25:07 Obesity and inflammation

28:45 Muscle loss and inflammation (sarcopenia)

30:52 The impact of meals, sugar and fats on inflammation

33:35 How diet could reduce inflammation

34:42 Why we all respond to food differently

38:42 Dietary choices to manage inflammation

40:00 What are omega-3s?

41:17 Anti-inflammatory foods

43:40 Health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids

45:55 Challenges with farmed salmon

Mentioned in today's episode:

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammatory processes: Nutrition or pharmacology? in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology

Omega-6 fatty acids and inflammation in PLEFA

Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes in Nutrients

Another relevant study:

Health relevance of the modification of low-grade inflammation in ageing and the role of nutrition in Ageing Research Reviews

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Episode transcripts are available here.

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The menopause transition can bring unexpected challenges — the effects can significantly impact daily life and long-term health.

Dr. Mary Claire Haver is a board-certified gynaecologist and a menopause specialist. She's helped thousands of women in perimenopause and menopause to realise their health goals. In today’s episode, she joins Jonathan and ZOE's Chief Scientist Dr. Sarah Berry to shed light on what to expect during these life stages.

Sarah and Mary Claire describe practical strategies for managing symptoms, critical conversations to have with healthcare providers, and how to advocate for yourself effectively in medical settings.

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Timecodes:

00:00 Introduction

01:33 Quickfire questions

05:53 There is a lack of menopause training in medical school

07:02 Most women are going into menopause blind

07:43 Why menopause symptoms vary

09:30 The hormonal ‘zone of chaos’

11:45 ZOE PREDICT data on menopause symptoms

13:36 How long do perimenopause symptoms last?

17:52 Perimenopause at age 35?

18:34 Why hormone tests are worthless

20:53 The risk of chronic disease after menopause

24:53 Why does menopause increase hunger?

28:39 Why medicine and research is male-dominated

32:34 How to talk to your doctor about menopaue

34:12 Pregnancy research - 10x more extensive than menopause research!

35:14 Mary Claire’s toolkit of strategies for menopause

36:34 What are the long-term health benefits of hormone replacement therapy?

38:36 Is HRT safe for most women?

42:47 Brand new ZOE study results: diet and menopause

49:16 Top 3 tips to help with symptoms

54:34 What is ‘frozen shoulder’ and how can you treat it?

Mentioned in today's episode:

  • Menopause transition and cardiovascular disease risk: Implications for timing of early prevention: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association in Circulation
  • The controversial history of hormone replacement therapy in Medicina
  • Dr. Vonda Wright’s website

Books by Mary Claire:

  • The New Menopause

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Episode transcripts are available here.

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In today’s episode we’re uncovering the medicines that are hiding in your kitchen.

Jonathan and Sarah are joined by molecular biologist Kanchan Koya to explore the incredible health benefits of spices. From controlling blood sugar to soothing a sore throat, we’ll discover what the latest research says about household favorites including ginger, cinnamon and cloves.

Kanchan Koya is a food scientist, founder of the spice-centric food blog Chief Spice Mama and author of the cookbook ‘100 recipes with healing spices for your family table’. She will show us how to get the most out of spices, with simple cooking tips and delicious recipes.

Want to make Kanchan’s show stopper spice dish? Find the recipe here.

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If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to zoe.com/podcast, and get 10% off your membership.

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Timecodes:

00:00 Introduction

01:26 Quickfire questions

03:08 What are spices?

03:43 Polyphenols in spices

07:25 Spices and health

11:01 Cinnamon and blood sugar control

14:49 Anti-inflammatory benefits of spices

21:08 A practical guide to using spices

31:40 Reviving old spices

33:11 The wonders of ginger: from morning sickness to gut health

35:56 Spiced cooking tips

37:41 Breakfast ideas: add spices to start your day

39:44 Creative ways to incorporate spices into snacks

42:05 Dinner delights: spicing up main meals

44:11 Spices for kids

46:24 Spiced drinks: from chai to golden milk

48:24 The ultimate spice dish

Studies related to today’s episode:

  • Safety and efficacy of curcumin versus diclofenac in knee osteoarthritis: a randomized open-label parallel-arm study published inTrials
  • Analgesic effect of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of clove, published in Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine
  • Effect of cinnamon spice on continuously monitored glycemic response in adults with prediabetespublished in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
  • Star anise (Illicium verum): Chemical compounds, antiviral properties, and clinical relevance published in Phytotherapy Research
  • Ginger-Mechanism of action in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, published by Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Episode transcripts are available here.

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Did you know that even at age 70, with the right nutrition, you could potentially extend your life by 6 years?

In today’s episode, we learn that it's never too late to change your diet for the better. Dr. Federica Amati, ZOE’s Head Nutritionist, dives into the unique nutrition needs at every life stage.

From the golden windows of opportunity that can transform your health, to practical food recommendations for adolescence, adulthood and beyond, Dr. Amati gives tips to enhance your wellbeing.

Dr. Federica Amati is a researcher at King’s College London and registered nutritionist. She is also lecturer and Nutrition Topic Lead at Imperial College School of Medicine. Federica empowers people with accessible, practical knowledge to make informed choices on diet and lifestyle and to improve health based on unique needs and preferences, at every stage of life.

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Timecodes

00:00 Introduction

01:17 Quickfire questions

03:32 The first window of opportunity is before you are born

06:04 It takes two to tango: equal roles in conception

07:25 The science behind sperm health and diet

09:10 What is life course nutrition?

10:35 Why generic nutrition advice isn't enough

13:00 Critical changes in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy

16:25 Nutritional needs in the second trimester of pregnancy

17:20 Preventing allergies during pregnancy

20:30 Nutrition in childhood and adolescence

21:00 The importance of a diverse diet for teenagers

22:57 Children learn to eat from us: exposure is key

25:10 The impact of ultra-processed foods on teenagers

27:40 Do you need to eat meat to grow well?

32:55 Lifestyle choices in your 30s affect long-term health

36:00 Longevity supplement myths

37:40 Gut microbiome changes in adulthood

43:28 How to extend your lifespan through diet at any age

46:05 Preparing for healthy aging and avoiding 'Sniper Alley'

50:10 How to eat right in your 70s and beyond

54:22 Protein needs as you age

56:30 Becoming a ZOE member is like having a nutritionist in your pocket!

59:20 Summary

Mentioned in today's episode:

  • Life expectancy can increase by up to 10 years following sustained shifts towards healthier diets in the United Kingdom, published in Nature Food
  • The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD), published in American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine
  • A single serving of mixed spices alters gut microflora composition: a dose–response randomised trial, published in Nature

Books:

  • Every Body Should Know This by Dr. Federica Amati

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Episode transcripts are available here.

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Did you know that every 12 years, our skeletons undergo a complete transformation?

Osteoporosis, a condition where bones become fragile, significantly increases the risk of fractures from minor incidents, often without any noticeable symptoms. Worldwide, it affects one in three women and one in five men over fifty, leading to pain, potential disability and loss of independence.

In today’s episode, Jonathan, Tim and Cyrus ask the question: How can understanding osteoporosis and implementing targeted lifestyle changes enhance bone health and reduce the risk of fractures?

Cyrus Cooper is a Professor of Rheumatology at the University of Southampton, where he is also the Director of the MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit and Vice-Dean of Medicine. In addition, he’s a Professor of Musculoskeletal Science at the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences at the University of Oxford.

Tim Spector is one of the world’s top 100 most-cited scientists, a professor of epidemiology, and scientific Co-Founder at ZOE. Tim trained originally in rheumatology and epidemiology.

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Timecodes

00:00 Introduction

01:21 Quickfire questions

03:08 What is osteoporosis?

06:10 Why might our bones become more fragile as we age?

08:10 Your skeleton renews itself all the time

10:30 Does menopause cause osteoporosis?

12:48 What's it like living with osteoporosis?

15:16 How common is osteoporosis in males?

16:04 What are the symptoms of osteoporosis and at what age should you get checked?

21:40 Some chilling statistics about osteoporosis

23:10 Common myths about the effects of calcium and vitamin D on osteoporosis

27:50 What is the latest science on vitamin D supplementation?

34:10 Can vitamin D and calcium ensure children’s bone density is healthy?

34:55 Osteoporosis treatment options, including new drugs

37:20 The impacts of HRT on bone density

39:30 What are the downsides to some of these treatments?

43:00 Does physical activity help to prevent fractures?

44:30 Lifestyle impacts: diet and nutrition

49:40 Can exercise make your bones stronger?

55:20 Ideal exercises to prevent osteoporosis

57:10 Cyrus and Tim’s top 3 actions to improve bone health

59:10 Summary

Mentioned in today's episode:

  • Accumulation of risk factors associated with poor bone health in older adults, published in Archives of Osteoporosis

Relevant studies:

  • Influence of vitamin D supplementation on bone mineral content, bone turnover markers and fracture risk, published in Journal of Bone and Mineral Research
  • Pregnancy Vitamin D Supplementation and Childhood Bone Mass at Age 4 Years, published in JBMR Plus
  • The role of calcium supplementation in healthy musculoskeletal ageing, published in Osteoporosis International

Books:

  • Osteoporosis: A Lifecourse Epidemiology Approach to Skeletal Health by Prof Cyrus Cooper

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Episode transcripts are available here.

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Did you know that intermittent fasting can have significant health benefits? By aligning your eating schedule with your body's natural rhythms, it can bolster heart health, enhance insulin sensitivity, and support weight loss.

In today’s episode, Jonathan, Prof. Tim Spector, and Gin Stephens dive into the world of intermittent fasting, with a focus on time-restricted eating.

Gin shares essential tips for beginners and explains what it takes to be successful. Tim explores the groundbreaking findings of The Big IF Study from 2022, the largest exploration of intermittent fasting to date. They also unpack controversies and describe who might want to avoid fasting.

Gin Stephens is an intermittent fasting advocate, New York Times bestselling author, and podcast host. Gin has been living the intermittent fasting lifestyle since 2014.

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Tim Spector is a professor of genetic epidemiology at King’s College London, director of the Twins UK study, scientific co-founder of ZOE, and one of the world’s leading researchers.

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If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to zoe.com/podcast, and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

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Timecodes:

01:25 Quick fire questions

03:25 What is intermittent fasting?

04:35 What are the most common types of fasting?

06:00 The circadian rhythm and fasting

08:22 The Big IF study explanation and results

13:41 Breakfast misconceptions explained

16:01 How do the Big IF study results compare to other research?

18:56 What are the health benefits of sticking to the Big IF study?

24:00 What is Tim’s intermittent fasting schedule like?

25:40 Jonathan's experience with the Big IF study

28:04 What is metabolic flexibility?

32:43 Practical advice for getting started.

35:40 Cephalic phase insulin response

40:30 Is there an ideal length for an eating window and time to start?

43:20 Can you eat whatever you want?

44:30 Can people over 70 years of age fast safely?

51:21 Summary

Mentioned in today's episode:

Flipping the metabolic switch: Understanding and applying the health benefits of fasting in Obesity

The Big IF Study

Books by Gin Stephens:

28-day Fast Start: Day By Day

Fast. Feast. Repeat.

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Episode transcripts are available here.

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Our bodies naturally follow a roughly 24-hour cycle, called our circadian rhythm. And every cell has a rhythm.

As we get older, we tend to lose muscle, making us more prone to falls and less able to live independently. Though we can't stop aging, staying active helps keep our muscles strong and our bodies healthy for longer.

Prof. Karyn Esser is a specialist in how the body's natural rhythms affect muscles. Today, she guides us through the latest research and shows that it's always possible to harness the power of your muscles to enhance your quality of life. She is a professor in the Department of Physiology and Aging at the University of Florida, where she’s also the co-director of the University of Florida Older Americans Independence Center.

In today's episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Karyn explore the body's internal clocks and ask: why do our muscles have their own schedule, and is there an ideal time of day to exercise?

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to zoe.com/podcast, and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Want ZOE Science & Nutrition’s top tips for better gut health? Download our FREE gut guide.

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Timecodes

00:00 Introduction

00:18 Quickfire questions

02:01 Why are muscles important, particularly as we get older?

08:45 Why we all lose strength as we age

11:07 What type of exercise do we need to maintain our muscle strength as we age?

14:55 What is a circadian clock?

19:25 Everything has a circadian rhythm

21:32 Why do our muscles work on a 24-hour cycle?

24:20 Humans are stronger in the afternoon

30:24 Is there a best time to exercise?

35:01 Can exercise before or after work help shift workers with jet lag?

37:33 Is there a difference between men and women’s responses to circadian rhythms?

41:44 What are the effects of time-restricted eating on muscle mass?

53:42 Summary

Mentioned in today's episode:

Defining the age-dependent and tissue-specific circadian transcriptome in male mice from Cell Reports

Related studies:

Timing is everything: Circadian clocks set the rhythm for vital functions in bacteria from the University of Chicago

Effects of resveratrol on in vitro circadian clock gene expression in young and older human adipose-derived progenitor cells in Aging

Age is associated with dampened circadian patterns of rest and activity: The Study of Muscle, Mobility and Aging (SOMMA) in medRxiv

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Episode transcripts are available here.

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How soon should we start taking our dementia risk seriously?

In today’s episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan is joined by Prof. Claire Steves to explore the multifaceted world of dementia. They delve into the significance of dental health, genetics, diet, and physical activity — plus, they unpack the latest research — to give you practical strategies for preventing dementia.

Claire is a consultant physician in geriatric medicine at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. She’s also a senior clinical lecturer at King's College London and deputy clinical director of the institution’s Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology where she leads research on the characterization of physical and mental aging traits and frailty.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to zoe.com/podcast, and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Get the FREE ZOE gut health guide — download here

Follow ZOE on Instagram.

Timecodes:

00:00 - Introduction

01:26 - Quickfire questions on dementia

02:42 - Main discussion: understanding dementia

04:18 - Control over fate with dementia

06:52 - Why older people get more fractures

08:32 - Warning signs of dementia

09:55 - Unique aspects of dementia

12:12 - Cellular level discussion on dementia

15:49 - Risk factors for dementia

16:07 - Inheritance and dementia

18:29 - High-risk factors for dementia

19:15 - Fetal development and dementia risk

21:47 - Brain reserves and mental health

24:24 - New advances in dementia treatment

30:47 - Medications and life expectancy

33:21 - Diet and dementia prevention

35:58 - The role of physical activity

39:45 - Oral health and dementia

42:10 - Social interaction and brain health

44:02 - Diabetes and dementia

45:36 - Women, HRT, and dementia

49:09 - Recap: Types of dementia

53:39 - Hearing aids and dementia prevention

55:39 - Episode sign-off

Studies related to today’s episode:

  • Brain-age is associated with progression to dementia in memory clinic patients from NeuroImage Clinical

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Are you interested in a specific aspect of dementia? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Episode transcripts are available here.

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In today’s episode, we’re talking about a disease so widespread that it touches nearly every family in some way: type 2 diabetes. It’s not just a health issue, it's a rapidly expanding crisis. And many people don’t know that they have it.

In the U.S. alone, 100 million people have prediabetes, and more than 37 million have type 2 diabetes, a chronic condition with life-altering effects.

Prof. Naveed Sattar joins us to shed light on preventing, treating, and potentially reversing type 2 diabetes.

Naveed is a medical doctor and Professor of Metabolic Medicine at the Institute of Cardiovascular & Medical Sciences at the University of Glasgow. He’s one of the world’s top 1% most cited clinical scientists, and he’s worked on many clinical trials of lifestyle changes and drugs to prevent and manage diabetes.

Learn your diabetes risk score:

If you’re in the U.K. click here.

If you’re in the U.S. click here.

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Follow ZOE on Instagram

Timecodes:

00:00Introduction

01:00Topic introduction

02:28Quick fire questions

05:33What is blood sugar and why does it matter?

07:15What is insulin and what is its relation to blood sugar and diabetes?

08:48Why doesn't the body allow sugar to increase in the blood?

10:45What happens when somebody gets pre-diabetes or type 2?

14:34What is HBA1C?

17:08Why has there been such an increase in diabetes?

23:05How does muscle mass have any impact on diabetes?

24:54Are risks different between men and women?

27:08How does ethnicity come into this?

31:04What other personal risk factors are there?

32:29What are the symptoms of diabetes?

33:53When do these symptoms begin?

35:09What should you do if you have concerns?

36:33How to find out your own likelihood of risk

38:34How can we avoid getting diabetes?

42:10How can we combat genetic risk factors?

44:26Is it possible to lower blood sugar and reverse the effects of diabetes?

47:18What is the science behind the new drugs coming on the market?

49:20Summary

53:39Outro

Mentioned in today’s episode:

  • Primary care-led weight management for remission of type 2 diabetes (DiRECT): An open-label, cluster-randomised trial in The Lancet

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Episode transcripts are available here.

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Do you know what SIBO is and how it could be affecting your health?

In today’s episode, Jonathan and Dr. Will Bulsiewicz dive into the world of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), a condition that may underlie common health issues ranging from irritable bowel syndrome to brain fog.

Together, they tackle myths and share insights into SIBO diagnosis and treatment. Could rebalancing your gut microbiome be the answer you've been searching for?

Dr. Will Bulsiewicz is board-certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology. He’s also a New York Times bestselling author. Dr. B has won multiple awards and distinctions for his work as a clinician.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast, and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

ZOE's FREE gut health guide - download it here.

Follow ZOE on Instagram.

Timecodes

00:00 Introduction to SIBO

01:01What is SIBO?

02:43An overgrowth of bacteria

03:41SIBO Myth #1 debunked

04:34What is the link between SIBO and other diseases?

06:12What are the challenges with SIBO Testing

06:48Understanding testing methods

07:08 Myth #2 debunked

08:28The issues with breath testing for SIBO

11:38What are the root causes of SIBO

14:35What is the impact of medication on SIBO?

16:12Dietary management and low FODMAP diet

17:45 Probiotics and SIBO management

18:00Myth# 3 debunked

19:55Verdict

Mentioned in today’s episode:

Fiber supplementation protects from antibiotic-induced gut microbiome dysbiosis by modulating gut redox potential from Nature Communications

Our earlier podcast on the low-FODMAP diet

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Episode transcripts are available here.

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Are you navigating the twists and turns of perimenopause and beyond? Traditional exercise advice often misses the mark for women in this phase, mostly because its source is research focused on men.

In today’s episode, we're joined by the acclaimed Dr. Stacy Sims, a leading expert on women's exercise science. Stacy delves into how menopause affects our exercise responses, and she offers strategies to adapt your fitness routine for optimal health during and after menopause.

Ready to transform your approach to health and fitness? Tune in for expert insights and actionable tips.

Dr. Stacy Sims is an exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist who researches exercise performance and nutrition with a focus on women’s health and performance. She holds a Ph.D. in exercise physiology and sports nutrition from the University of Otago, and she did a postdoc at Stanford, where she remains an adjunct faculty member. Stacy is also a research associate at the AUT Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand.

Follow Dr. Stacy Sims on Instagram, and find her podcasts here.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to zoe.com/podcast, and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Follow ZOE on Instagram.

Get the FREE ZOE gut health guide — download here

Timecodes:

00:00 Introduction

00:34 Quickfire questions

03:39 Menopause and perimenopause explained

08:23 What happens when oestrogen levels change?

11:28 When does perimenopause start to happen?

14:15 What is the role of exercise in menopause?

17:00 What are hot flushes?

20:20 How can exercise have a positive impact on menopause?

21:57 What are the best exercises to do?

25:20 You are NOT going to get bulky lifting weights!

28:36 Alternatives to going to the gym

33:08 What is high-intensity training?

41:32 What is the minimum exercise needed to have a positive health impact?

47:27 How does fasted training affect women?

51:36 Summary

Mentioned in today’s episode:

Hailey Happens Fitness

Les Mills

Train with Joan

And these books by Dr. Stacy Sims:

Next Level

Roar

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Episode transcripts are available here.

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Many of us love coffee, but we may not be aware of its health benefits. If you thought coffee was just a caffeine kick, think again.

In today's episode, Jonathan, Prof. Tim Spector, and coffee expert James Hoffmann explore the intricate relationship between coffee and health. They uncover truths and myths about caffeine and describe coffee’s fascinating role in improving gut health.

Tim also shares exciting news about soon-to-be published research. The topic: coffee and the gut microbiome. Plus, James brews coffee live in the studio and helps us understand the different coffee variants. He even dives into the world of coffee kombucha.

James Hoffmann is an English barista, YouTuber, entrepreneur, coffee consultant, and author. He came to prominence after winning the World Barista Championship in 2007 and is credited as a pioneer of Britain's third-wave coffee movement.

Tim is a professor of genetic epidemiology at King’s College London, director of the Twins UK study, scientific co-founder of ZOE, and one of the world’s leading researchers.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to zoe.com/podcast, and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Find top tips for gut health from ZOE Science and Nutrition — download our FREE gut guide.

Follow ZOE on Instagram.

Timecodes:

00:00 Introduction

01:50 Quickfire Questions

04:24 Why are we all so obsessed with coffee?

05:02 What are the health benefits associated with coffee?

06:40 There is a lot more fiber in coffee than you think

09:47 The effects of caffeine and gender differences

12:31 Why is coffee full of polyphenols?

15:12 Tim’s new research teaser

21:21 What is the health relationship between fiber, microbes and our bodies?

27:32 Should we all start drinking coffee and should we choose decaf?

31:52 Modern coffee is all about flavor

33:03 Does the way that we make coffee impact our health?

37:55 James explains his mini laboratory!

43:42 Why is coffee not regulated in coffee shop chains?

44:35 What's the best way to make coffee?

44:40 Coffee #1 Filter Coffee

47:10 Coffee #2 Decaf Coffee

51:00 Coffee #3 Instant Coffee

1:00:50 How does caffeine affect high blood pressure?

1:05:36 Summary

Mentioned in today’s episode:

How to Make the Best Coffee at Home by James Hoffman

Editorial correction: James refers to chlorogenic acid as a polyphenol. We have since learnt that this is incorrect. Rather, it is a phenolic compound or a phenolic acid. James has shared this short video on his YouTube channel clarifying this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IszQ2JR3Olc

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Episode transcripts are available here.

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Do you want to live to 100? Dietary patterns, community, environment, and stress management play pivotal roles in longevity. From Sardinia's matriarchal villages to Okinawa's garden-rich diets, this episode takes us on a tour of insights. It's not just about living longer, it's about thriving.

In today’s episode, Jonathan is joined by Dan Buettner and Prof. Tim Spector to discuss the secrets of a longer, healthier life. Together, they journey through the world’s blue zones, rare global hotspots where celebrating your 100th birthday is common. The guests also address the threats to these longevity havens and the decline of traditional diets.

Dan Buettner is an American National Geographic fellow and New York Times bestselling author. He’s also an explorer, educator, and creator of the Netflix series “Live to 100,” which discovers five unique communities where people live extraordinarily long and vibrant lives.

Tim Spector is a professor of genetic epidemiology at King’s College London, director of the Twins UK study, scientific co-founder of ZOE, and one of the world’s leading researchers. He's also the author of Food for Life, his latest book on nutrition and health.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to zoe.com/podcast, and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Gut health tips from ZOE Science & Nutrition: Download our FREE gut guide.

Follow ZOE on Instagram.

Timecodes:

00:00Introduction

01:09Quickfire questions

02:33What are Blue Zones?

04:43Why do people in Blue Zones live longer?

06:48What is a Centenarian?

09:00What are Blue Zone diets?

11:49Foods for longevity

15:03Why are these foods good for us?

19:15Why Blue Zone diets are seasonal and inexpensive

22:30Is eating meat 5 times a month healthy for us?

27:42Why are the Blue Zones disappearing?

31:25Blue Zone tactics to reduce stress

36:02Can stress reduce life expectancy?

40:36Why unconscious physical activity is best

45:07How can we make our lives more ‘Blue Zone’ like?

47:23The number one thing you can do to add years to your life is…

48:53Dan's stress reduction techniques

51:39What is Dan’s daily diet?

53:16Summary

Mentioned in today's episode:

Telomere shortening and the transition to family caregiving in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study from PLOS One

Books and series from Dan Buettner:

The Blue Zones Challenge: A 4-Week Plan for a Longer, Better Life

The Blue Zones Secrets for Living Longer: Lessons From the Healthiest Places on Earth

The Blue Zones Kitchen: 100 Recipes to Live to 100

"Live to 100"

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Episode transcripts are available here.

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We've probably all heard of “antihistamines,” medications that can ease symptoms of hay fever and other allergies.

But what is “histamine”? It’s a vital chemical that our bodies produce, and it plays a role in a number of functions that support our health.

Histamine intolerance seems to be increasingly common, but it’s difficult to diagnose. Some people may not be aware that they have it or how to treat it.

In today’s episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan speaks with Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, ZOE’s U.S. medical director, to learn more about this flourishing area of research — and the best ways to identify and treat histamine intolerance.

Will is a board-certified gastroenterologist, and New York Times bestselling author of the microbiome book Fiber Fueled.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to zoe.com/podcast, and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Also, find top tips for gut health from ZOE Science & Nutrition: Download our FREE gut guide.

Follow ZOE on Instagram.

Mentioned in today’s episode:

  • Resistant potato starch supplementation reduces serum histamine levels in healthy adults with links to attenuated intestinal permeability published in Journal of Functional Foods
  • Histamine and histamine intolerance published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
  • Histamine intolerance: The current state of the art published in Biomolecules

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to cover? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Episode transcripts are available here.

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Stress is a main factor contributing to ill health, and Dr. Rangan Chatterjee believes that it’s the number-one cause of the illnesses he treats.

In today's episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Rangan sheds light on the causes of stress, ranging from sleep deprivation and overwhelming workloads to a lack of quality time with others.

You’ll learn how “microdoses” of stress can reach a tipping point, why recognizing these doses is key, and which powerful strategies can help you cope.

Are you ready to transform your relationship to stress?

Dr. Rangan Chatterjee is regarded as one of the most influential medical doctors in the U.K. He wants to change how medicine is practiced for years to come, and his mission is to help 100 million people around the globe live better lives. He’s a professor of health communication and education at the University of Chester, and he hosts one of the most listened-to health podcasts in the U.K. and Europe — Feel Better, Live More has had over 200 million listens to date and is listened to and watched by over 8 million people every month.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to zoe.com/podcast, and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Find 10 tips for a healthier life from ZOE Science & Nutrition — download our FREE guide.

Follow ZOE on Instagram.

Timecodes:

00:00 Introduction

01:24 Quickfire Questions

04:24 What is stress?

08:00 Our bodies respond to physical and emotional stress in a similar way

10:48 How much stress is bad for us?

16:17 How do micro stress doses affect us?

20:08 Modern life stress is different!

23:16 Stress is the number 1 cause of disease today

29:37 Do women and men perceive stress in the same way?

30:54 Breathing techniques for stress reduction

36:28 Movement and exercise for stress reduction

41:32 How to make new behaviors into habits

43:37 The impact of human touch

49:04 The power of journaling

52:54 Summary

Mentioned in today’s episode:

The impact of daily gentle touch stimulation on maternal-infant physiological and behavioral regulation and resilience from Infant Mental Health Journal

Fogg Behavior Modelfrom behaviourmodel.org

The Stress Solution and Feel Better in 5 by Dr. Rangan Chatterjee

Episode transcripts are available here.

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

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They’re not a plant or an animal — fungi are their very own kingdom of life. And their unique composition means they offer novel, often unbelievable, benefits to our health. Certain species of fungi are currently used to treat conditions ranging from cancer to depression.

The love of mushrooms (or mycophilia) has grown in recent years. And at the heart of this movement is biologist Dr. Merlin Sheldrake, author of the bestseller Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds and Shape Our Futures.

In today’s episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan, Merlin, and ZOE Co-Founder Prof. Tim Spector ask: Why are mushrooms so special?

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to zoe.com/podcast, and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Download our FREE guide — Top 10 Tips to Live Healthier: https://zoe.com/freeguide

Follow ZOE on Instagram.

Timecodes:

00:00 - Introduction

1:42 - Quickfire round

3:04 - What are fungi?

8:40 - The connection between fungi, plants & gut health

14:10 - The human impact on fungi

19:41 - Mushrooms and mental health

28:01 - Fungi as medicine

35:34 - Why should we eat mushrooms

40:39 - How to introduce more mushrooms into your diet

46:56 - How often should you eat mushrooms

51:17 - Summary

56:01 - Outro

Mentioned in today’s episode:

  • Potential role of ergothioneine rich mushroom as anti-aging candidate through elimination of neuronal senescent cells from Brain Research
  • Medicinal mushrooms in adjuvant cancer therapies: An approach to anticancer effects and presumed mechanisms of action from Nutrire
  • Immunomodulatory effect of mushrooms and their bioactive compounds in cancer: A comprehensive review from Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy

Episode transcripts are available here.

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

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From fads to fallacies, misconceptions have permeated diet narratives for decades. So, we dig in and demystify to forge a personalized path toward sustainable well-being.

In today’s episode, Jonathan is joined by Prof. Christopher Gardner and podcast regular Dr. Sarah Berry. Christopher is a professor of medicine at Stanford University and the director of nutrition studies at the Stanford Prevention Research Center. Sarah is an associate professor in nutrition at King’s College London and chief scientist at ZOE.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to zoe.com/podcast, and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Find top tips for better gut health from ZOE Science & Nutrition — download our FREE gut guide.

Follow ZOE on Instagram.

Timecodes:

00:00Intro

01:00Quick fire questions

02:30Why do people go on diets?

05:07Is it too late to change your diet?

06:28How to adopt a better diet lifestyle in the long term

11:06What are the worst diets for our health?

16:47Why is there such a big gap between the scientific evidence and what we see on the shelves?

19:49What should we do to improve our diet?

25:40Do whole foods make us feel more full?

31:14What does plant based mean and how does it tie in with the mediterranean diet?

32:14Why is fiber so good for us?

35:50Is it healthy to have fat in your diet?

37:03Are reduced fat foods in supermarkets as good as they claim to be?

39:33Low carb vs low fat study

45:07What dietry revalations can we expect to see this year?

52:15Summary

57:39Goodbyes/Outro

Mentioned in today’s episode:

  • Life expectancy can increase by up to 10 years following sustained shifts towards healthier diets in the United Kingdom in Nature
  • Popular dietary patterns: Alignment with American Heart Association 2021 dietary guidance: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association in AHA Journals
  • Cardiometabolic effects of omnivorous vs vegan diets in identical twins: A randomized clinical trial in JAMA Network
  • Ultra-processed diets cause excess calorie intake and weight gain: An inpatient randomized controlled trial of ad libitum food intakein Cell Metabolism
  • Effect of low-fat vs low-carbohydrate diet on 12-Month weight loss in overweight adults and the association with genotype pattern or insulin secretion: The DIETFITS randomized clinical trial in JAMA Network

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Episode transcripts are available here.

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Each day this week, we examine one of the world’s most popular diets. Putting the latest scientific evidence under the microscope, we’ll discover these diets' true impact on your health.

Today, we’re talking about the Mediterranean diet. This indulgent diet champions vegetables, beans, fish, and even red wine, all with a liberal helping of extra virgin olive oil.

However, this relatively high-fat diet undergoes many regional adaptations, and the wide range of options can be confusing, even intimidating, if you’re not that confident in the kitchen.

In this special episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan is joined by Christopher Gardner, Professor of Medicine at Stanford University and the Director of Nutrition Studies at Stanford Prevention Research Center. Together, they discuss this diet's potential health benefits and pitfalls.

If you want to uncover the right foods for yourbody, head to https://zoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.

Top tips for better gut health from ZOE Science and Nutrition — Download our FREE gut guide

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Timecodes:

00:00Introduction

00:42Topic Intro

02:42What is the concept of the Mediterranean diet?

04:22Why do we have more data on this diet?

06:08What are the main differences between this and other diets?

07:30How much meat is in the Mediterranean diet?

08:20Is the Mediterranean diet a “whole food” diet?

09:10How do whole grains fit into this diet?

10:06Where do oils and legumes come into this?

11:31What happens when you switch from a US/UK-centric diet to a Mediterranean diet?

13:23What is going on inside the body to deliver the health benefits?

14:08What are the possible challenges of the Mediterranean diet?

16:05Keto vs. Mediterranean diet study

19:09What's the verdict?

19:50Outro

Mentioned in today’s episode:

  • Adherence to Ketogenic and Mediterranean Study Diets in a Crossover Trial: The Keto-Med Randomized Trial, from Nutrients

  • Effect of a ketogenic diet versus Mediterranean diet on glycated hemoglobin in individuals with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus, from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to cover? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Episode transcripts are available here.

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Each day this week, we’re examining one of the world’s most popular diets. Putting the latest scientific evidence under the microscope, we’ll find out these diets' true impact on your health.

Today, we’re talking about the century-old paradigm of weight management — calorie counting. Rooted in the law of thermodynamics, the notion is simple: Consuming fewer calories than expended results in weight loss.

While seemingly straightforward, the practical application of calorie counting can prove challenging, with many of us underestimating our calorie intake or finding it difficult to maintain this diet long-term.

In this special episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan is joined by Christopher Gardner, Professor of Medicine at Stanford University and the Director of Nutrition Studies at Stanford Prevention Research Center. Together, they explore this diet's complexities, addressing its potential and pitfalls.

If you want to uncover the right foods for yourbody, head to https://zoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.

Top tips for better gut health from ZOE Science and Nutrition — Download our FREE gut guide

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Timecodes:

00:00Introduction

00:42Pre warning

00:52Topic Intro

01:20Why is calorie counting so popular?

02:40Does it matter what you eat or only about total calorie intake?

04:14What happens in your body when you eat fewer calories?

07:08What does the science say now?

08:35How does your metabolism change when you cut calories?

10:29Why is the diet still so officially accredited?

11:23What's the verdict?

12:30Outro

Mentioned in today’s episode:

  • Energy compensation and metabolic adaptation: "The Biggest Loser" study reinterpreted, from Obesity

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to cover? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Episode transcripts are available here.

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Each day this week, we’re examining one of the world’s most popular diets. Putting the latest scientific evidence under the microscope, we’ll find out the true impact of these diets on your health.

Today, we’re talking about the carnivore diet, a zero-carb approach centered on meat, fish, eggs, and minimal dairy while excluding all plant foods and alcohol.

Advocates claim it can help with autoimmune conditions, type 2 diabetes, and weight loss, asserting that our ancestors thrived eating this way. However, there are questions about nutrient deficiencies and excessive saturated fat intake with this diet.

In this special episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan is joined by Christopher Gardner, Professor of Medicine at Stanford University and the Director of Nutrition Studies at Stanford Prevention Research Center. Together, they explore its purported advantages and drawbacks.

If you want to uncover the right foods for yourbody, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.

Top tips for better gut health from ZOE Science and Nutrition — Download our FREE gut guide

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Timecodes:

00:00Introduction

00:42Topic intro

01:10Why would anyone want to follow the carnivore diet?

01:45What are people eating on this diet?

01:59What would happen if you ate this way?

02:53Can we get all the essential nutrients we need to live from this diet?

03:37What are the claimed benefits of this diet?

04:21Could you live on this diet long-term?

05:18What are the differences between animal carnivores and us?

07:08Are there any studies to show what happens when you follow it?

08:32Why aren't there any official studies on the carnivore diet?

09:56What's the verdict?

10:25Outro

Mentioned in this episode:

  • Behavioral characteristics and self-reported health status among 2029 adults consuming a “Carnivore Diet”, from Current Developments in Nutrition

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to cover? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Episode transcripts are available here

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Each day this week, we’re examining one of the world’s most popular diets. Putting the latest scientific evidence under the microscope, we’ll find out the true impact of these diets on your health.

Today, we’re talking about the paleo diet, rooted in the idea of emulating our hunter-gatherer ancestors after concerns about the impact of a modern westernized diet packed with highly processed foods.

However, the diet often involves consuming increased amounts of saturated fats, primarily from meat. This is associated with heightened cholesterol levels and heart disease risk.

In this special episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan is joined by Christopher Gardner, Professor of Medicine at Stanford University and the Director of Nutrition Studies at Stanford Prevention Research Center. Together, they dissect the diet’s potential benefits, pitfalls, and sustainability.

If you want to discover the right foods for yourbody, head to https://zoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Follow ZOE on Instagram

Timecodes:

00:00Introduction

00:42Topic intro

02:05Is the paleo diet a logical diet based on where we came from?

03:03What’s so appealing about the stone age diet?

04:19What’s the difference between paleo diets now and our authentic ancient diets?

05:30What are the theoretical health benefits if you were to follow the paleo diet?

06:32What are the downsides of following the paleo diet?

07:09How closely does the ancestral paleo diet match our modern paleo diet?

09:25What's the verdict?

10:04Outro

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to cover? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Episode transcripts are available here

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Each day this week, we’re examining one of the world’s most popular diets. Putting the latest scientific evidence under the microscope, we’ll find out these diets' true impact on your health.

Today we’re talking about the low-fat diet, popularised in the 1970s and fueled by the belief that fat was the culprit behind heart disease and weight gain.

However, the aftermath saw a surge in low-quality carbs. Food manufacturers, in the quest for low-fat options, replaced fats with sugar and refined grains, resulting in us opting for low-quality carbs over whole foods and whole grains.

In this special episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan is joined by Christopher Gardner, a professor of Medicine at Stanford University and the Director of Nutrition Studies at Stanford Prevention Research Center. Together, they unravel the complexities of the low-fat diet, addressing its potential and pitfalls.

If you want to uncover the right foods for yourbody, head to https://zoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Top tips for better gut health from ZOE Science and Nutrition — Download our FREE gut guide

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Timecodes:

00:00Introduction

00:42Topic Intro

02:11Why do people still follow low fat diets today?

03:56What happens in the body when you cut out fat?

05:26Does a low fat diet make you healthier?

07:01Is it possible to have a healthy low fat diet?

09:49If you choose a low fat diet with healthy carbs, is it better than a high fat diet?

11:39What happens if you remove all fat from your diet?

12:06What's the verdict?

12:35Outro

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to cover? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Episode transcripts are available here.

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Each day this week, we’re examining one of the world’s most popular diets. Putting the latest scientific evidence under the microscope, we’ll find out these diets' true impact on your health.

Today we’re talking about the keto diet, a global phenomenon favoring fats over carbs, lauded for potential health benefits like improved blood sugar control and weight loss.

Yet, the allure of keto does come with downsides. With a dearth of fiber and essential nutrients — as well a reputation for being notoriously difficult to keep on top of long-term — many find ketosis elusive.

In this special episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan is joined by Christopher Gardner, a professor of Medicine at Stanford University and the Director of Nutrition Studies at Stanford Prevention Research Center. Together, they unravel the keto diet's complexities, addressing its potential and pitfalls.

If you want to uncover the right foods for yourbody, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Top tips for better gut health from ZOE Science and Nutrition — Download our FREE gut guide

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Timecodes:

00:00Introduction

00:42Topic Intro

01:54Why would anyone follow the keto diet?

02:59What's the theory behind cutting carbs and switching to fat?

04:16What happens in your body if you follow keto correctly?

05:59What are the possible health benefits of switching to the keto diet?

06:34What are the downsides to following the keto diet?

07:54Keto diet study

10:01What's the verdict?

11:37Outro

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to cover? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Episode transcripts are available here.

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Many of us want to make positive changes to our eating patterns in January. But it’s not easy. Ultra-processed foods, for example, are everywhere. So how can we make healthy habits stick?

In today’s episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan is joined by James Clear and Dr. Federica Amati, who offer strategies for overcoming obstacles and changing the way we eat, so we can all have longer, healthier lives.

James Clear is a writer, speaker, and author of the number-one New York Times bestseller Atomic Habits. Dr. Federica Amati is a medical scientist and an Association for Nutrition-accredited nutritionist, as well as the head nutritionist at ZOE.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast, and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Get top tips for better gut health from ZOE Science & Nutrition — download our FREE gut guide.

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Timecodes:

01:46 – Quickfire round

04:39 – New Year’s Resolutions

08 :47 – Why is it hard to achieve goals? What role do food companies play?

13:04 – Self-identity driven goals rather than result driven

20:14 – The challenge ultra-processed foods pose

27:30 – How to think about making changes to support New Year’s resolutions

29:24 – James’ 4 laws, make it: obvious, attractive, easy, satisfying

33:57 – Make it obvious: how your environment

40:00 – How you social circle and community affects your habits

43:50 – 3rd law: make it easy

47:19 – How many times do you need to do something to make it a habit

53:13 – 4th law: make it satisfying

55:07 – How can we approach healthy food with our children?

58:27 – Summary and outro

Mentioned in today’s episode:

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to cover? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Episode transcripts are available here.

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Most people need to do more exercise. Despite us being aware of its obvious benefits to our health, we can still struggle to get active. So, what’s holding us back? A persistent injury, lack of free time, or simply not knowing how to get started? Dr. Andy Galpin believes it’s always possible to incorporate exercise. With evidence-based exercise regimes, he’s on a mission to make a fitter future achievable for everyone.

In today’s episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Andy ask: How can you improve your fitness to live a long, healthy life?

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Top tips for better gut health from ZOE — Download our FREE gut guide.

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Timecodes:

00:00 - Introduction

1:03 - Quickfire round

4:16 - Definition of kinesiology, fitness, strength training, and cardio

11:57 - How do you measure fitness?

13:37 - Fitness and its impact on longevity

18:41 - Strength and its impact on longevity

23:06 - Strength training and its link to brain health

31:22 - Lowering blood pressure with strength training

40:15 - How to start strength training

45:07 - Summary and outro

Mentioned in today’s episode:

  • Demand Coupling Drives Neurodegeneration: A Model of Age-Related Cognitive Decline and Dementia. (2022) from Cells

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Episode transcripts are available here.

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Did you know that you can potentially extend your life by 10 years if you eat the right foods and that this is even possible if put into practice later in life? Inflammation is the cause of most diseases and illnesses, if you would like to learn how to reduce inflammation then look no further!

In today’s episode, Prof. Tim Spector and Dr Will Bulsiewicz delve into the gut microbiome, how it reacts to different foods and overall well-being. We learn about microbial diversity and its pivotal role in reducing inflammation.

Dr. Will Bulsiewicz is board-certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology. He’s also a New York Times bestselling author. Dr. B has won multiple awards and distinctions for his work as a clinician. Prof. Tim Spector is a Professor of Genetic Epidemiology at King’s College London, director of the Twins UK study, Scientific co-founder at ZOE, and one of the world’s leading researchers. He's also the author of Food for Life, his latest book focusing on nutrition and health.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to zoe.com/podcast, and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Top tips to control your gut from ZOE Science and Nutrition - Download our FREE gut guide

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Audio Timecodes:

00:00 Introduction

01:14 Quick Fire Questions

03:27 What is Inflammation?

07:40 Why is too much inflammation bad for you?

09:06 This is at the core of most diseases…

19:07 How blood sugar levels affect inflammation

24:22 What is the role of Gut and the gut barrier?

15:22 How does food affect inflammation?

23:47 What is the role of Gut and the gut barrier?

28:06 Gut microbes love good food!

30:09 Inflammation and Gut Microbes: A two-way Street

35:00 More plants and fermented food will reduce inflammation

40:15 We need microbiome diversity

45:45 Non-Dietary Approaches to Reduce Inflammation

47:57 Benefits of Time-Restricted Eating

52:01 Summary

Mentioned in todays episode:

Gut microbiota targeted diets modulate human immune status from Cell

The Big IF Study: What did we find? From ZOE

PREDICT: The world's largest in-depth nutritional research program from ZOE

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Episode transcripts are available here.

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Happy New Year! Thinking about extreme dieting this January? Think again. There are easy ways to eat well and boost your immune system while still enjoying every mouthful.

In today’s episode, Tim and Sarah break down seven essential strategies for eating healthily in 2024. They also debunk common misconceptions, emphasize the importance of food quality, and encourage you to focus on the sheer enjoyment of what you eat.

Dr. Sarah Berry is an associate professor in the department of nutritional sciences at King's College London and chief scientist at ZOE. Prof. Tim Spector is one of the world's top 100 most cited scientists and scientific co-founder of ZOE.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Download our FREE guide — Top 10 Tips to Live Healthier: https://zoe.com/freeguide

Follow Tim on Instagram

Follow Sarah on Instagram

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Timecodes:

00:00 Introduction

02:30 Why does what we eat matter?

04:14 Are most people in the West eating well?

05:45 What are the risk factors of a bad diet?

07:20 Strategy #1: Food is more than fuel

10:38 Food is an energy source for our gut microbes

14:25 Strategy #2: Fat is not your enemy

18:00 Breaking the low fat diet myth

21:30 Strategy #3: Eat more Plants

25:11 What are plant based foods?

29:56 Strategy #4: Reduce ultra processed foods

34:38 What are the food guidelines with ultra processed food?

39:18 Strategy #5: Reduce your blood sugar spikes

42:59 Which carbohydrates are healthy?

52:00 Strategy #6: Eat fermented foods

56:25 Do probiotics have the same effect as eating fermented foods?

1:00:22 Strategy #7: Stick to an eating window

1:08:43 Summary

Mentioned in todays episode:

The Big IF Study from ZOE

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Episode transcripts are available here

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In this special two-part episode, we’re taking a journey back through all of our episodes to bring you 10 actionable tips that will have a big impact on your nutritional health.

Here, in part two, we’ll find out why you should stop counting sheep and how fidgeting can boost your health. These are evidence-backed tips to help you live and eat healthier.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.

Download our FREE guide — Top 10 Tips to Live Healthier: https://zoe.com/freeguide

Timecodes:

00:00 Introduction

01:30 Which oil is best?

06:45 Plants and the microbiome

10:37 Move after eating

16:40 Give your gut a rest

23:20 Getting to sleep

Which oil is best?

https://zoe.com/learn/podcast-fats-and-oils

Plants and the microbiome

https://zoe.com/learn/podcast-what-gut-microbiome-testing-can-reveal

Move after eating to manage blood sugar

https://zoe.com/learn/podcast-improving-blood-sugar-control-with-exercise

Give your gut a rest

https://zoe.com/learn/podcast-intermittent-fasting

Getting to sleep

https://zoe.com/learn/podcast-the-secrets-of-good-sleep

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Episode transcripts are available here

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In this special two-part episode, we’re taking a journey back through all of our episodes to bring you 10 actionable tips that will have a big impact on your nutritional health.

Here, in part one, we’ll explore whether you actually need to spend more on organic food, why snacking can help your diet, and plenty more.

These are evidence-backed tips to help you live and eat healthier.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.

Download our FREE guide — Top 10 Tips to Live Healthier: https://zoe.com/freeguide

Follow ZOE on Instagram

Timecodes:

00:00 Introduction

01:57 Snacking

8:44 Ultra-processed foods

14:58 Organic food

21:00 Fermented foods

28:47 Protein

Snacking

https://zoe.com/learn/podcast-how-snacking-impacts-your-health

Ultra-processed foods

https://zoe.com/learn/podcast-ultra-processed-food

Organic food

https://zoe.com/learn/podcast-the-truth-about-organic-food

Fermented foods

https://zoe.com/learn/podcast-fermented-foods-gut-health

Protein

https://zoe.com/learn/podcast-should-i-eat-more-protein

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Episode transcripts are available here.

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Do you realize how closely your diet affects your general health and well-being? Have you ever wondered how advertising affects what you eat? How much do you think your childhood diet is affecting your health in the long run?

In today’s episode, Jonathan is joined by Prof. Walter Willett to discuss the importance of carefully considering what you eat and making decisions that support your health.

Professor Walter Willett, from the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, is the world's most cited nutritional scientist — with over 2,000 publications and several books to his name. Prof. Willett has focused much of his work over the last 40 years on the development and evaluation of methods to study the effects of diet on the occurrence of major diseases.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to zoe.com/podcast, and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Follow ZOE on Instagram.

Timecodes:

00:00 Introduction

01:42 Quickfire questions

04:07 What is the average Western diet today?

08:01 Why is so hard to get a straight answer on diet and disease?

10:15 The latest understanding on the link between diet and disease

14:31 Carbohydrates: distinguishing the beneficial from the detrimental

17:47 The hidden truths behind refined starches and sugary beverages

27:06 Diet is a public health issue

32:18 How bad is red meat consumption and soy alternative?

46:09 Exploring the impact of childhood dietary habits on lifelong health

54:21 Is it too late to change what we eat and benefit from it?

58:10 Walters view on the current American diet guildelines

1:05:15 What is the influence of vitamin supplements on sustaining peak vitality?

1:09:13 How the traditional Mediterranean diet can prevent diseases

1:11:07 Summary

Mentioned in today’s episode:

Diet assessment methods in the Nurses' Health Studies and contribution to evidence-based nutritional policies and guidelines from the American Journal of Public health

Diet, lifestyle, and genetic risk factors for type 2 diabetes: A review from the Nurses’ Health Study, Nurses’ Health Study 2, and Health Professionals’ Follow-up Study from Current Nutrition Reports

Association between healthy eating patterns and risk of cardiovascular diseasefrom JAMA Internal Medicine

The Mediterranean diet: Science and practicefrom Public Health Nutrition

Books:

Nutritional Epidemiology by Walter Willet

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Episode transcripts are available here.

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Do you know what FODMAPs are? Many of us aren’t aware of these cryptic carbohydrates hidden in everyday foods.

How can undigested FODMAPs cause bloating, gas, and other symptoms as they ferment in your gut?

In today’s episode, Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, ZOE’S U.S. medical director and a board-certified gastroenterologist, teaches us about FODMAPs and how to tell if a low-FODMAP diet could be right for you.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to zoe.com/podcast, and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Download our FREE guide — Top 10 Tips to Live Healthier: https://zoe.com/freeguide

Mentioned in today’s episode:

Nutritional, microbiological and psychosocial implications of the low FODMAP diet from Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Personal view: Food for thought — Western lifestyle and susceptibility to Crohn's disease. The FODMAP hypothesis from Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics

Low fermentable, oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides and polyol diet in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis from Nutrition

Low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) diet improves symptoms in adults suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) compared to standard IBS diet: A meta-analysis of clinical studies from PLoS One

Nutritional, microbiological and psychosocial implications of the low FODMAP diet from the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

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Episode transcripts are available here.

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

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As we age, the distribution of our body fat changes, particularly around menopause.

Most people think of body fat as bad, but fat tissue plays a number of hugely important roles in our health.

In today’s episode of ZOE Science and Nutrition, Jonathan is joined by Dr. Sarah Berry and Prof. Deborah Clegg. Together, they debunk the myth that fat is bad, enlighten us about why body fat is distributed where it is, and explore the differences in fat distribution between men and women.

Deborah Clegg is a professor and Vice President for Research at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso. Her research focuses on sex differences in metabolism, adipose tissue, and the brain and the impact this has on our health. Dr. Sarah Berry is one of the world's leading experts on human nutrition. She has run more than 20 randomized clinical trials looking at how humans respond to different fats.

Head to zoe.com/podcast if you want to uncover the right foods for your body and get 10% off your ZOE membership.

Download our FREE guide — Top 10 Tips to Live Healthier: https://zoe.com/freeguide

Follow ZOE on Instagram

Timecodes:

00:00 Intro

04:00 What is body fat?

06:32 What is healthy fat?

07:52 Female vs male body fat

11:56 Why is belly fat the most unhealthy?

19:43 Waist to hip ratio

21:24 How estrogen affects fat distribution

27:41 Perimenopause symptoms

31:01 Fat cells producing estrogen

36:00 Hunger the menopause

38:46 Weight gain and the menopause

40:54 Physical changes in men

42:28 Exercise and fat distribution

43:26 What to eat during menopause

46:37 Estrogen supplements

Mentioned in today’s episode:

The evolutionary impact and influence of oestrogens on adipose tissue structure and function from Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B 2023

Menopause is associated with postprandial metabolism, metabolic health and lifestyle: The ZOE PREDICT study from EBioMedicine 2022

Episode transcripts are available here.

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

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Admit it, exercise isn't everyone's favorite pastime. Of course, our ancestors weren't hitting the gym by choice — our evolution has wired us to stay active, and this natural activity actually slows down the aging process.

The good news is that you can achieve the benefits without feeling like you're "exercising."

In today’s episode, Prof. Daniel Lieberman debunks exercise myths. He also teaches us how exercise impacts our health and how learning from our evolution can unlock the secrets of a longer life.

Daniel Lieberman is a paleoanthropologist at Harvard University. He’s the Edwin M. Lerner II Professor of Biological Sciences and a professor in the Department of Human Evolutionary Biology. He’s best known for his research on the evolution of the human mind and the human body.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to zoe.com/podcast, and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Download our FREE guide — Top 10 Tips to Live Healthier: https://zoe.com/freeguide

Timecodes:

00:00 Introduction

01:34 Quickfire questions

03:22 The Rudyard Kipling view of our ancestors

04:54 Is exercise good for us and why do most of us hate it?

06:19 For millions of years, people were physically active for 2 reasons only…

15:38 Our bodies have evolved to save calroies and preserve energy

18:31 It’s normal to think your life is normal

22:27 We need to exercise because we don’t move enough!

34:00 Diet, exercise and sleep can prevent these diseases…

39:54 The active Grandparent hypothesis

43:10 Study of men matriculating as undergraduates at Harvard University

49:44 How can we enjoy keeping physically active?

01:00:00 The importance of weights exercise

01:06:43 Summary

Mentioned in today’s episode:

Three generations of HSPH researchers explore health benefits of exercise from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Stanford marshmallow test experiment, a summary from Simply Psychology

We also mention Daniel’s book Exercised: The Science of Physical Activity, Rest and Health, and you can find ithere.

Episode transcripts are available here.

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

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We’ve been working for the past 2 years on a randomized controlled trial of ZOE membership.

Participants used personalized nutrition advice to try to improve their health — and the results are fascinating.

In today’s episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan, Sarah, and Tim ask: How did ZOE hold up as part of this trial?

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to zoe.com/podcast, and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Follow ZOE on Instagram.

Timecodes

01:03 - Quickfire round

02:10 - Sarah’s first impression of Jonathan

05:29 - What is an RCT

10:20 - What is ZOE and how does it work

14:14 - What did the RCT participants experience

16:16 - Using cookies to measure blood sugar

20:07 - What is blood fat

25:02 - What happens once you’ve done your tests

26:17 - Recent dietary changes Jonathan, Sarah and Tim have made

34:52 - How are you guided through the ZOE program

37:19 - Control group vs ZOE group

41:23 - Results of the ZOE RCT

45:03 - Do other wellness products have RCTs

47:57 - Will the results be greater after a year of ZOE

54:44 - Does the ZOE membership work

57:02 - The difference between ZOE and other medical devices

58:44 - Summary and outro

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it

Download our FREE guide — Top 10 Tips to Live Healthier: https://zoe.com/freeguide

Mentioned in today’s episode:

  • Epidemiology of constipation in Europe and Oceania: A systematic review published in BMC Gastroenterology
  • Recent advances in understanding and managing chronic constipation published in F1000Research
  • Human Postprandial Responses to Food and Potential for Precision Nutrition published in Nature Medicine
  • Microbiome connections with host metabolism and habitual diet from 1,098 deeply phenotyped individuals published in Nature Medicine
  • Postprandial glycaemic dips predict appetite and energy intake in healthy individuals published in Nature Medicine

Episode transcripts are available here.

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

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Heart disease is among the top five causes of death globally, and it’s the first in the United States and United Kingdom. In the U.S., it causes 1 in 5 deaths.

But what is heart disease, exactly? Can we take steps to avoid it? Prof. Eric Rimm, of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, is here to enlighten us.

In today’s episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Eric explore what we can do to reduce our chances of getting heart disease.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to zoe.com/podcast, and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Follow ZOE on Instagram.

Timecodes:

00:15 - Intro

01:07 - Quick fire questions

02:10 - Biggest myth about Heart Disease

03:2 6 - What is Heart Disease?

08:03 - What is a stroke?

10:29 - What are the differences in Heart Disease symptoms between men and women?

12:51 - Did you know that…

14:24 - The multi-decade diet study

21:24 - The 4 ways to lower chances Heart Disease

28:16 - Weight and Heart Disease

32:09 - What can you do to reduce Heart Disease risk?

34:30 - Exercise and Heart Disease risk

37:11 - Body Weight and Heart Disease risk

38:01 - Diet and Heart Disease risk

41:06 - Sleep and Heart Disease risk

46:18 - What is the cutting edge research in Heart Disease?

49:35 - Summary

53:18 - Conclusion

Mentioned in today’s episode:

  • Optimal dietary patterns for prevention of chronic disease from Nature Medicine
  • Frequency, type, and volume of leisure-time physical activity and risk of coronary heart disease in young women from Circulation
  • Diet, lifestyle, biomarkers, genetic factors, and risk of cardiovascular disease in the Nurses’ Health Studies from the American Journal of Public Health

Download our FREE guide — Top 10 Tips to Live Healthier: https://zoe.com/freeguide

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Episode transcripts are available here.

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What are lectins, and are they dangerous? These “antinutrients” have come under attack and were recently the subject of a dietary fad fueled by a popular book. As always, there’s more to the story.

In today’s episode, Jonathan is joined by Dr. Will Bulsiewicz to dive deep into the world of lectins. They dissect questionable studies, debunk myths, and offer expert advice about how to approach foods containing these misunderstood compounds.

Will is a board-certified gastroenterologist with 14 years of experience. He’s also the New York Times best-selling author of Fiber Fueled and ZOE’s U.S. medical director.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Download our FREE guide — Top 10 Tips to Live Healthier: https://zoe.com/freeguide

Follow ZOE on Instagram.

Mentioned in today’s episode:

Lectins as bioactive plant proteins: A potential in cancer treatment from Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition

Plant-derived lectins as potential cancer therapeutics and diagnostic tools from BioMed Research International

A legume-based hypocaloric diet reduces proinflammatory status and improves metabolic features in overweight/obese subjects from the European Journal of Nutrition

Dietary legume consumption reduces risk of colorectal cancer: Evidence from a meta-analysis of cohort studies from Scientific Reports

Intake of legumes and cardiovascular disease: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis from Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases

Legume consumption is inversely associated with type 2 diabetes incidence in adults: A prospective assessment from the PREDIMED study from Clinical Nutrition

The effects of legume consumption on markers of glycaemic control in individuals with and without diabetes mellitus: A systematic literature review of randomised controlled trials from Nutrients

Effects of dietary pulse consumption on body weight: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials from The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

The "white kidney bean incident" in Japan from Methods in Molecular Biology

Fructan, rather than gluten, induces symptoms in patients with self-reported non-celiac gluten sensitivity from Gastroenterology

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Episode transcripts are available here.

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Can the power of your thoughts help defy aging? Could your mind help improve your eyesight or even heal wounds faster?

These ideas might seem far-fetched, but our guest, Harvard Professor Ellen Langer, has spent four decades uncovering the real science behind this.

In this episode, discover how to harness your mind-body connection to enhance your well-being.

Ellen Langer is an American professor of psychology at Harvard University. In 1981, she became the first woman ever to be tenured in psychology at Harvard.

Prof. Langer studies the illusion of control, decision-making, aging, and mindfulness theory.

Download our FREE guide — Top 10 Tips to Live Healthier: https://zoe.com/freeguide

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Follow ZOE on Instagram.

Timecodes:

00:00 Introduction

01:48 Quickfire questions

04:34 The mind and body should be understood as one unit

05:42 The counterclockwise study

06:51 Chambermaid exercise study

09:33 What is Mindfulness?

10:59All of the misery we experience is a function of our mindlessness

14:47 Mindful optimism

23:12 Everything should be different, every day of your life

25:33 How Ellen approaches a simple eyesight test

28:21 We have more control over our health and lives than we think…

33:35 Placebos could be our strongest medicines…

39:00 Blood sugar study results

44:50 How to approach mindfulness

54:05 Summary

Mentioned in today’s episode:

Ageing as a mindset: A counterclockwise experiment to rejuvenate older adults sponsored by Catholic University of the Sacred Heart

Mind-set matters: Exercise and the placebo effect from Psychological Science

The Mindful Body and Mindfulness, two books by Prof. Langer

Episode transcripts are available here.

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

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Do you feel like your muscles are shrinking or getting weaker? Many people gradually lose muscle mass as they get older. And this leads to an increased risk of falls, osteoporosis, and fractures.

When it comes to your muscles, it’s a case of use them or lose them. But what is the most effective way to use our muscles and maintain strength? Ex-bodybuilder and professor of exercise science Brad Schoenfeld tells us how. And it’s easier than you might think!

In today’s episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Brad ask: How can you maintain muscle mass as you age?

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Download our FREE guide — Top 10 Tips to Live Healthier: https://zoe.com/freeguide

Follow ZOE on Instagram

Timecodes:

00:00 - Introduction

1:25 - Quickfire round

2:38 - How do our muscles work

3:01 - Why are muscles important for our health

5:15 - The loss of muscles and how to prevent it

8:19 - Resistance training - How it builds muscles

11:24 - Nutrition and muscle growth

13:01 - How muscle growth changes with age

17:45 - Resistance training vs Cardio

20:20 - How to do resistance training

28:11 - No time to exercise?

30:28 - What weight to train with

36:10 - How menopause affects muscle maintenance

41:13 - Summary and outro

Mentioned in today’s episode:

  • Effects of resistance training on muscle size and strength in very elderly adults from Sports Medicine
  • Strength and hypertrophy adaptations between low- vs. high-load resistance Training from The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

Episode transcripts are available here.

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

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More than 50 systemic health conditions — including Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and heart disease — are associated with oral disease.

The link between systemic and oral conditions is always microbial, inflammatory, or both. So, how can we look after our gums to improve our health?

In today’s episode, Jonathan and Prof. Alp Kantarci pose the question: How does the health of your oral cavity shape your general health?

Dr. Alp Kantarci is a professor, scientist, dentist, oral health researcher, periodontist, dental implant surgeon, and senior member of staff at the Forsyth Institute, an independent research institute that focuses on the connections between oral health and overall wellness. Dr. Kantarci is also a faculty member at Harvard University School of Dental Medicine. He has published more than 190 articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals and has presented more than 170 talks and posters at dental and medical congresses.

Download our FREE guide — Top 10 Tips to Live Healthier: https://zoe.com/freeguide

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Follow ZOE on Instagram.

Timecodes:

01:35 - Quickfire questions

04:11 - What is oral health?

08:35 - How is our oral health connected to the health of the rest of our body?

11:01 - Oral microbiome

18:48 - Why does bad oral health affect the rest of the body?

22:47 - How much does the state of our oral health contribute to dementia?

25:48 - The link between oral health and diabetes

28:31 - The link between oral health and cardiovascular diseases

32:41 - What are the key steps to look after our oral health?

35:36 - Alp’s view on mouthwash

37:51 - Oral health & probiotics

42:22 - Impact of food on our oral health

45:45 - Does sparkling water affect our oral health?

50:04 - Summary

52:34 - Goodbyes

52:41 - Outro

Mentioned in today’s episode:

Dementia and the risk of periodontitis: A population-based cohort study from the Journal of Dental Research.

Microglial response to experimental periodontitis in a murine model of Alzheimer’s disease from Scientific Reports.

Fusobacterium nucleatum dissemination by neutrophils from the Journal of Oral Microbiology.

Safety and preliminary efficacy of a novel host-modulatory therapy for reducing gingival inflammation from Frontiers in Immunology.

Episode transcripts are available here.

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

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Dr. Peter Attia doesn’t want a slow death. He doesn’t want his final years to be defined by poor mental and physical faculties that only worsen as the years roll by. But, by making changes to his lifestyle today, he’s taking control of his health tomorrow

In today’s episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Peter ask: How can you maintain your health as you age?

Download our FREE guide — Top 10 Tips to Live Healthier: https://zoe.com/freeguide

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast, and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program

Follow ZOE on Instagram

Timecodes:

00:00 - Introduction

1:29 - Quickfire round

3:14 - Healthspan vs lifespan

09:52 - The difference between slow and quick death

12:23 - What diseases cause slow death

13:34 - Acting before there’s a problem

16:17 - Is it too late to improve my future health

19:20 - How to improve modern medicine

25:07 - The importance of blood sugar

33:03 - The centanarian decathlon

34:00 - Cardio training

38:00 - Strength training

40:43 - Summary and outro

Mentioned in today’s episode:

  • The inequities in the cost of chronic disease from the National Council on Aging
  • Early lesions of atherosclerosis in youth from the Journal of the American Nutrition Association
  • Coronary heart disease causes and risk factors from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Episode transcripts are available here.

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com and we’ll do our best to cover it.

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Not all of us want to go to the gym 5 times a week, but what if there was a way to do quick, short high intensity 20 second exercises and still reap benefits - or does that sound too good to be true?

Javier and Jonathan break this down as they look at recent studies and results, optimizing exercise routines to achieve the desired health benefits, taking into account factors like intensity, duration, and frequency as well as discussing the effect of working from home vs commuting to the office.

Download our FREE guide — Top 10 Tips to Live Healthier: https://zoe.com/freeguide

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Follow ZOE on Instagram

Mentioned in today’s episode:

The Effects of High Intensity Interval Training vs Steady State Training on Aerobic and Anaerobic Capacity; from The Journal of Sports and Science Medicine

Episode transcripts are available here.

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

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Your gut microbiome, a bustling community of microorganisms, is a vital player in your overall health. It doesn’t just impact your digestive system — it has a profound influence on your brain health and well-being.

However, the gut microbiome is a complex, long misunderstood realm, and figuring out how it affects daily life can leave even the most dedicated health enthusiasts scratching their heads.

Here at ZOE, we’ve transformed our understanding of this bustling microbial world, where both “good” and “bad” gut bacteria reside.

In today’s episode, Jonathan speaks with Prof. Nicola Segata and Prof. Tim Spector to explore how ZOE's microbiome testing and unique microbiome health scores provide personalized insights into your gut health.

Download our FREE guide — Top 10 Tips to Live Healthier: https://zoe.com/freeguide

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

  • Nicola Segata is a professor and principal investigator at the Laboratory of Computational Metagenomics, at the CIBIO department of the University of Trento. His background is in metagenomics, machine learning, microbiome research, and microbial genomics.
  • Tim Spector is ZOE's scientific co-founder and one of the world's top 100 most cited scientists.

Timecodes:

00:00Introduction

01:41Quick fire questions

03:38Why should we care about gut microbes?

07:00How many different microbes do we have in our gut?

11:37Why would we want to measure our microbiome?

13:15Can we change our microbiome?

18:00Is it possible to make a dramatic change in your microbiome over time?

20:21What does the latest data tell us about improving our diet?

23:24How does the ZOE micobiome gut test work?

27:07What goes on in the lab to get these results?

30:54Is there enough information in the gut microbiome to make a full health assessment?

34:20What can our microbes tell us about diseases?

35:55What useful information does the microbiome test show us?

36:51Are we still making new discoveries in the microbiome?

41:03Do different microbes prefer specific foods?

43:14How do different lifestyles around the world change your microbiome?

47:445 simple tips to improve gut health

50:45How rapidly can you damage your microbiome?

53:58Can taking painkillers regularly negatively impact the microbiome?

56:10Summary

60:03Goodbyes/Outro

Mentioned in today’s episode:

  • The person-to-person transmission landscape of the gut and oral microbiomes from Nature
  • Sharing of gut microbial strains between selected individual sets of twins cohabitating for decades from PLoS One
  • A genetic gift for sushi eaters from Nature

Find Nicola on ResearchGate and X.

Episode transcripts are available here.

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

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There’s been a surge in our consumption of ultra-processed foods, especially in the United Kingdom and the United States, where these foods contribute about two-thirds of people’s caloric intake.

Also a cause for concern is emerging evidence of ultra-processed foods’ detrimental effect on our brain health and overall well-being.

When most of our calories come from ultra-processed foods, the risk of chronic physical and mental health conditions escalates. Scientists are now uncovering the intricate mechanisms behind this relationship, particularly concerning the effects of these foods on our brains.

In today’s episode, we welcome back Prof. Felice Jacka, OAM. Felice is an Alfred Deakin professor of nutritional psychiatry and the director of the Food & Mood Centre at Deakin University, in Australia. She’s also the founder of the International Society for Nutritional Psychiatry Research and the world’s leading researcher on food’s impact on our brain and mental health.

Now, she’s back on the show to delve deeper into the effects of ultra-processed foods on mental health and the brain, specifically the hippocampus, an area responsible for learning and memory.

Download our FREE guide — Top 10 Tips to Live Healthier: https://zoe.com/freeguide

Timecodes:

00:00Intro

01:19Quick fire questions

04:17What is ultra processed food?

05:37What is the NOVA classification?

08:18How does food impact the brain?

10:33What does the hippocampus do to influence our brain function?

12:58Is there a link between the size of the hippocampus and quality of diet?

13:45Is there a link between the quality of diet and depression?

20:37What are the effects of long term dietary habits?

21:33Is there a link between poor diet and dementia

23:18Is there a link between autism and diet?

24:00How real is the link between diet and dementia?

24:57What is the oral microbiome?

28:16New trial between whole foods and vitamin enriched nutritional foods

29:28How does processing foods impact the makeup of foods on a molecular level?

32:10How does the biodiversity around us affect our body?

33:08How does the industrialized food environment impact us?

35:50How strong is the evidence for this? is it comparable to smoking?

39:12Practical tips to help with our diet

40:07How does reducing consumption of UPF affect us?

41:25How to cut down on UPF

44:04Is it too late to change your diet?

45:39Does exercise impact our brain?

47:41Summary

52:57Goodbyes/Outro

Mentioned in today’s episode:

  • The SMILES trial published in BMC Medicine
  • Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Mental Health published in Nutrients
  • Western diet is associated with a smaller hippocampus also in BMC Medicine

Learn more about Felice on the Food & Mood Centre’s website.

Follow Felice on Instagram.

Episode transcripts are available here.

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

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Most of us like to have breakfast before we exercise in the morning, but what happens if we don’t eat anything first?

The issue goes beyond weight loss and exercise timing to involve blood sugar, insulin sensitivity, and other — perhaps unexpected — aspects of your health.

In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Dr. Javier Gonzales ask: Should we exercise on an empty stomach?

Get science-based nutrition advice straight to your inbox: https://bit.ly/44xRywM

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.

Mentioned in today’s episode:

Lipid metabolism links nutrient-exercise timing to insulin sensitivity in men classified as overweight or obese from The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism

Body composition changes associated with fasted versus non-fasted aerobic exercise from Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition

The Acute Effects of Interrupting Prolonged Sitting Time in Adults with Standing and Light-Intensity Walking on Biomarkers of Cardiometabolic Health in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis from Sport Medicine

Exercising Tactically for Taming Postmeal Glucose Surges from Hindawi

Exercise-stimulated glucose uptake — regulation and implications for glycaemic control from Nature Reviews Endocrinology

Follow ZOE on Instagram.

Episode transcripts are available here.

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

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As a listener to this show, you’ve probably heard of the gut microbiome. But did you know that your skin has its own microbiome?

Recent evidence suggests that these microbiomes are vital for our skin health. So, what should we do? Which foods make an impact?

And if we want our skin to look healthier, how about those collagen supplements that many of you have asked us about?

In today’s episode, our guest is Dr. Justine Kluk, a consultant dermatologist with a specialist interest in acne. Justine is a member of the British Association of Dermatologists, the Royal Society of Medicine, and the Royal College of Physicians.

ZOE’s Chief Scientist Dr. Sarah Berry also joins as a cohost to explore these ideas.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast, and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Get science-based nutrition advice straight to your inbox: https://bit.ly/47QyQTp

Vote for us in the British Podcast Awards VOTE

Timecodes:

00:00 Intro

02:01 Quick Fire questions

03:52 What does skin do?

04:51 Why is the skin so important?

06:34 Is there a correlation between aging skin and health?

07:41 What is the skin microbiome?

11:46 Is exposure to the natural environment beneficial for children?

12:39 Can we change the skin microbiome?

13:32 Would an oral or topical probiotic help improve our skin microbiome

15:11 What can we do to help support the skin barrier?

15:39 Can overwashing/scrubbing disturb your skin?

16:40 Why does acne matter?

18:37 Is acne just found in teenagers?

19:12 What effect does menopause have on your skin?

20:36 What impact does diet have on acne?

22:14 Are diets with high glycemic content bad for acne?

23:01 What is happening to create the effects of acne?

24:23 Is there a connection between our gut health and skin health?

25:15 Practical advice for people with acne

28:16 Diet tips to help support healthy skin

29:51 How has the ZOE diet gone down in Jonathan and Justine's household?

32:54 How can the ZOE diet help with day-to-day cooking habits?

35:46 What causes skin aging?

37:44 What can we do to slow down skin aging?

39:55 Do collagen supplements work to keep your skin youthful?

41:52 How can retinol help your skin?

42:30 3 things that could help keep your skin young

43:31 Top nutrition skin myths

45:50 How important is it to apply sun protection?

46:36 How does stress impact our skin?

48:38 Questions for Jonathan

54:57 Summary & Outro

Mentioned in today’s episode:

  • Mortality is written on the face from The Journals of Gerontology: Series A
  • Too clean, or not too clean: the hygiene hypothesis and home hygiene from Clinical & Experimental Allergy
  • Impact of outdoor nature-related activities on gut microbiota, fecal serotonin, and perceived stress in preschool children from Scientific Reports

Justine shares more in-depth skincare and acne information at

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Millions of us are counting calories every day. But do we know if those numbers truly reflect the energy we get from eating?

It’s about time that we debunked the “one-size-fits-all” approach to calorie counting and unmasked the outdated methodologies that contribute to inaccuracies in food labeling.

In today’s episode, Jonathan and Dr. Sarah Berry ask: How exactly do we measure calories, and is calorie counting actually effective?

Get science-based nutrition advice straight to your inbox: https://bit.ly/44xRywM

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe

Mentioned in today’s episode:

The Wilbur Olin Atwater Papers from the United States Department of Agriculture

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Episode transcripts are available here.

Mentioned in this episode:

BPA CTA Listeners Choice

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Antibiotics are one of thegreatest discoveries of the 21st century. Since their inception, they’ve saved countless lives, but these miracle drugs come at a cost. In some cases, they can seriously affect your health or can even be life-threatening.

In today’s episode, Jonathan puts himself under the microscope. After an injury forced him to take antibiotics, he shows you the effect they had on his own gut bacteria.

Jonathan’s joined by Dr. Will Bulsiewicz and Prof. Tim Spector, who explore the impact of different types of antibiotics, how they affect your bacteria in the short and long term, and how we can reverse the unwanted effect of these drugs.

Get science-based nutrition advice straight to your inbox: https://bit.ly/44xRywM

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.

Timecodes:

00:00 Intro

00:15 Jonathan’s Intro

00:50 Quickfire round

01:40 Jonathan’s accident

04:00 Unpacking clindamycin

11:40 Antibiotic-associated diarrhea

14:45 Side effects prevention advice

22:20 Jonathan’s gut at 7 days

27:50 Fermented foods

27:00 Tips for building your gut back up

41:30 Benefits vs. risks

48:00 Summary

51:20 Outro

Mentioned in today’s episode:

Post-antibiotic gut mucosal microbiome reconstitution is impaired by probiotics and improved by autologous FMT from Cell

Saccharomyces boulardii: What makes it tick as successful probiotic? From the Journal of Fungi

Follow ZOE on Instagram.

Episode transcripts are available here.

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Mentioned in this episode:

BPA CTA Listeners Choice

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Whether you’re frying, baking, or topping your toast, most of you will eat either butter or margarine at some point today. The fact that these spreads are such a staple means that we need to know their effects on our health. And It might surprise you to learn that this impact has changed quite dramatically over the past 20 years.

In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Dr. Sarah ask: Which is healthier, butter or margarine?

Get science-based nutrition advice straight to your inbox: https://bit.ly/44xRywM

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.

Follow ZOE on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

Mentioned in today’s episode:

Margarine from Science Direct

Margarines: Historical approach, technological aspects, nutritional profile, and global trends from Food Research International

Reduction of LDL-cholesterol as a result of the change from butter to soft margarine from Polish Archives of Internal Medicine

Americans' per capita consumption of margarine & butter from the USDA

Episode transcripts are available here.

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com and we’ll do our best to cover it.

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Unfortunately, many of us spend our later years in poor health. But is this avoidable? And can we actually increase our healthy years?

While aging is inevitable, there are steps we can take to minimize its effects on our health. And surprisingly, some of these steps have nothing to do with exercise or diet. Simply spending time with others can provide countless benefits to us as we age.

But how can we maintain these connections? Does retirement affect our social interactions? And can attitude alone keep you healthier in your later years?

In today’s episode, one of the world’s top experts on aging, Prof. Rose Anne Kenny, joins us to explore these ideas.

Rose Anne is a world-leading geriatrician at Trinity College Dublin, where she leads a huge, long-term study on aging. She’s also the author of the number one international bestseller Age Proof: The New Science of Living a Longer and Healthier Life.

Get science-based nutrition advice straight to your inbox: https://bit.ly/44xRywM

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.

Timecodes:

00:00 - Intro

00:13 - Quickfire round

01:14 - What’s the biggest myth about aging?

04:18 - What is aging?

07:43 - Aging process predictors

13:50 - Our growing elderly population

15:14 - Retirement

19:21 - Study on aging and social interaction

24:57 - Importance of social participation

27:38 - Studying the effects of loneliness

29:56 - Combating loneliness

31:13 - How attitude affects aging

33:20 - Social interaction online

36:08 - Creating social relationships

48:42 - Summary and Outro

Mentioned in today’s episode:

The Dunedin Study, a long-term study designed to investigate broader questions of child health and development from the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit

The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) from Trinity College Dublin

You can buy Rose Anne’s book here.

Follow ZOE on Instagram.

Episode transcripts are available here.

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com and we’ll do our best to cover it.

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We’ve all had unpleasant toilet experiences in our time. It can be distressing to deal with and not something we like talking about.

But when does normal diarrhea become chronic? And when do we need to seek medical care?

In today’s episode, Jonathan and Dr Will ask what is chronic diarrhea and how can we rule out something more serious? Will also shares tricks of the trade to ease your symptoms and tells us how our amazing guts work to keep our whole body healthy.

Get science-based nutrition advice straight to your inbox: https://bit.ly/44xRywM

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get

10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Mentioned in today’s episode:

Chronic Diarrhea by Garrett J. Descoteaux-Friday; Isha Shrimanker from the National Library of Medicine

Chronic Diarrhea by Cleveland Clinic

Diarrhea From John Hopkins Medicine

Diarrhea From Stamford Medicine Healthcare

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) From Loma Linda University Health

Episode transcripts are available here.

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

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What does "organic" food mean? And how do you know if something's organic?

Of course, foods tell you if they're organic in massive letters on the packaging. And they cost way more. But what makes a food organic? Is eating organic better for your health? And are the benefits worth the expense?

Luckily, Professor Tim Spector is here today with answers. Tim is one of the world's top 100 most cited scientists, a scientific co-founder of ZOE, and the author of the bestselling book Food for Life: The New Science of Eating Well.

Stick around until the end, and you'll also find out the answer to a question we get often: Does Tim eat organic?

Get science-based nutrition advice straight to your inbox: https://bit.ly/44xRywM

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.

Timecodes:

00:00 - Intro

01:21 - Quickfire round

02:36 - What is organic food?

03:06 - Pesticides vs insecticides

08:06 - Diseases

09:15 - Herbicide risks

16:03 - Nutrient comparison

18:21 - Natural chemical defences

20:32 - Does Tim Eat organic food?

22:15 - Foods high in chemicals

25:32 - Organic and cost

26:56 - Washing food

31:11 - Summary and outro

Mentioned in today’s episode:

Organic food consumption and the incidence of cancer in a large prospective study of women in the United Kingdom from the British Journal of Cancer

Association of frequency of organic food consumption with cancer riskfrom JAMA Internal Medicine

Impacts of dietary exposure to pesticides on faecal microbiome metabolism in adult twins from Environmental Health

Follow ZOE on Instagram.

Episode transcripts are available here.

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com and we’ll do our best to cover it.

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Get science-based nutrition advice delivered straight to your inbox. https://bit.ly/46BPTYz

Are you trying to eat less sugar? If you are, you might have tried a natural sugar alternative.

Stevia, robinia honey, coconut sugar, agave… the list of these table sugar replacements seems to be growing day by day. But what even are these alternatives? Are they really natural? And do they offer us a healthier way of getting that sweet taste?

In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Dr. Sarah ask: What are natural sugar alternatives, and are they healthier than table sugar?

Follow ZOE on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

Get science-based nutrition advice straight to your inbox: https://bit.ly/44xRywM

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.

Mentioned in today’s episode:

The artificial sweetener erythritol and cardiovascular event risk from Nature Medicine Effects of D-allulose on glucose tolerance and insulin response from BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care

Effects of stevia on glycemic and lipid profile of type 2 diabetic patients from the Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine

Agave syrup: Chemical analysis and nutritional profile from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Are natural sugar alternatives healthier? from Harvard Health Publishing

Alternative sugars - agave nectar from British Dental Journal



Episode transcripts are available here.

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com and we’ll do our best to cover it.

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Decades ago, there were reams of adverts instructing us to drink our milk so we don’t break our bones. But in the decades since, public opinion toward dairy is very different, and the scientific community has largely debunked these ideas.

Many of the health-conscious among us choose to avoid it altogether. Our reasons range from a belief that dairy leads to inflammation, to acne, or even to an increased risk of heart attack due to high levels of saturated fat.

But have we fallen into the same trap we often do, bouncing from one extreme to another? Could cutting out dairy mean we miss out on vital nutrients? Or could it hold the secret to a healthy gut microbiome?

Today, Jonathan is joined by ZOE regulars and renowned experts, Dr. Sarah Berry and Prof. Tim Spector.

In this episode, you’ll not only find out whether you should eat dairy or cut it out, but you’ll also hear two leading nutritional scientists try to reach an agreement on how to translate the latest research into actionable advice. And hopefully, they’ll still remain friends afterward.

Get science-based nutrition advice straight to your inbox: https://bit.ly/44xRywM

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast, and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Timecodes:

00:00 - Intro

00:13 - Jonathan’s Intro

01:38 - Quickfire round

02:45 - Biggest myth about dairy

04:15 - Does dairy cause inflammation?

10:38 - Bone fragilaty

16:03 - Cheese and Yogurt

16:59 - Full fat vs semi skinned

17:27 - Milk and cholesterol

21:03 - Fermented dairy

23:00 - dairy and microbes

26:03 - Saturated fats

26:51 - Cheese quality

31:15 - Summary

33:03 - Goodbyes

33:14 - Outro

Follow ZOE on Instagram.

Episode transcripts are available here.

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to cover? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com and we’ll do our best to cover it.

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More than half of women who go through menopause find its symptoms distressing. In fact, 10% leave their jobs because of the burden.

It’s no wonder that a huge selection of supplements claim to relieve menopause’s unpleasant effects. But do they actually work? Which products are backed by clinical evidence, and which are just “menowashing”?

In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Dr. Sarah Berry ask: What’s the evidence behind menopause supplements?

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get

10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Mentioned in today’s episode:

  • Introduction to menopause from John Hopkins Medicine
  • What is menopause? from The National Institute on Aging
  • What you should know about hormone therapy and menopause from the Columbia University Irving Medical Centre
  • Menopause symptoms in depth from the National Center For Complementary and Integrative Health
  • Menopause supplements: Effectiveness, side effects, and safety from Medical News Today
  • The role of diet in managing menopause symptoms from Nutrition Bulletin
  • Revealing the evidence-based diet solutions to managing your menopause symptoms from Nutrition Bulletin

Episode transcripts are available here.

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com and we’ll do our best to cover it.

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Evidence shows that all over the world, people are snacking more — with the United Kingdom and the United States leading the way in unhealthy snacking habits.

But what exactly counts as a snack? And is all snacking unhealthy?

Snacking can be a confusing and controversial topic. There are various opinions and myths about what's good for you. Many people struggle to make healthy choices, while others may be unaware of the impact of snacking habits on their gut health and overall well-being.

In today’s episode, Jonathan is joined by ZOE regulars and renowned experts Sarah Berry and Tim Spector for an enlightening discussion that will help you snack smarter.

Armed with the latest scientific research, they unravel the complexities of snacking and share evidence-based insights on what's truly beneficial for your body. Along the way, they cover healthy options, snack timing, and what we should all be avoiding.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Timecodes:

00:00 Introduction

01:23 Quick Fire Questions

04:03 What is a snack?

04:55 How much energy comes from snacks?

05:40 Cultural differences with snacks

08:33 What happens when we snack?

10:29 Are some healthy looking bars actually bad for us?

12:16 Do ulta-processed snacks make us hungrier?

13:57 What effect do additives and emulsifiers have?

15:04 Results of study on healthy vs unhealthy snacks

15:22 What impact does snacking have on our gut?

18:00 Why could snacking be unhealthy?

18:56 What are the concerns around snacking frequency?

19:50 Does the quality of your snack make a difference?

21:31 Could skipping breakfast be healthy for us?

23:17 Does timing of snacking have any influence on our health?

28:42 How could time-restricted eating benefit us?

32:20 What is the impact of snacking on weight gain?

34:15 What impact does snacking have on blood sugar?

36:25 How people on different routines react to snacking

38:27 What does the recent ZOE research show us on the topics of snacking?

40:16 How bad is late night snacking for our health?

42:19 How should we be snacking?

46:30 How has snacking changed over time?

47:26 Actionable advice on snacking

52:52 How much do your meals impact snacking?

56:50 Summary

59:40 Goodbyes

59:44 Outro

In today’s episode:

Meal patterns across ten European countries – results from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) calibration study https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/public-health-nutrition/article/meal-patterns-across-ten-european-countries-results-from-the-european-prospective-investigation-into-cancer-and-nutrition-epic-calibration-study/A662BDB7A9AD3631BD6AD98946FE765F#

What is a snack, why do we snack, and how can we choose better snacks? A review of the definitions of snacking, motivations to snack, contributions to dietary intake, and recommendations for improvement https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4863261/

Snacking on whole almonds for 6 weeks improves endothelial function and lowers LDL cholesterol but does not affect liver fat and other cardiometabolic risk factors in healthy adults: The ATTIS study, a randomized...

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We’ve all wrestled with diarrhea at some point.

It comes in many forms. And being able to read these differences can help us understand what’s going on inside us and how we should treat it.

In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Dr. Will ask: What are the health risks associated with diarrhea, and how can we treat it?

Follow ZOE on Instagram.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get

10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Mentioned in today’s episode:

  • Diarrhea, a global overview from the World Health Organization (WHO)
  • Key takeaways from a University of Oxford analysis of the global impact of antimicrobial resistance

Episode transcripts are available here.

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

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How much do you know about menstrual cycles? Half of you will be a lot more informed than the other half. The menstrual cycle holds great significance in a woman's life, impacting various aspects of her body with over 90% of all women experiencing premenstrual symptoms. However, misconceptions and limited understanding still surround its effects, leaving many women in the dark about their own bodies.

Today, we’re joined by Hazel Wallace. She’s a medical doctor, nutritionist and author of The Female Factor. Here to give us an education on the menstrual cycle.

  • Dr Hazel Wallace shares with us how the cycle affects almost every aspect of the body, from heart health and sleep to metabolism and even whether there’s scientific evidence behind ‘cycle syncing’.

Whether you’ve had a menstrual cycle or not, you’ll learn a lot during this episode. If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinZOE.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Timecodes:

00:00 Introduction

00:36 Quick fire questions

03:49 What is the menstrual cycle?

05:42 What is the luteal phase?

06:54 When does the menstrual cycle begin?

07:43 How regular are menstrual cycles - Do they change over time?

08:29 What is actually happening during the menstrual cycle?

09:41 What role does oestrogen have in hormonal changes?

10:48 How does the menstrual cycle affect performance in athletes

12:05 How does the menstrual cycle affect women?

16:30 Are cravings real? Why do they happen?

18:21 What is PMS and what do people experience?

20:11 Is there much research behind PMS?

21:40 What is PMDD?

23:16 How do you identify PMDD?

26:17 What is cycle syncing?

27:43 What role does nutrition have in reducing symptoms during the cycle

30:22 Can regular exercise improve symptoms?

33:52 How is sleep impacted by the menstrual cycle?

37:41 How does this impact our immune system?

38:56 Why is there such little research into this area?

41:13 How has the exclusion of women in research impacted us?

44:14 Menstrual cycle tracking - what is it and how can you do it?

46:31 How can tracking help?

47:26 What diet can help symptoms?

49:31 How does the menstrual cycle affect the microbiome?

52:07 How can intermittent fasting affect the menstrual cycle?

54:59 Summary

58:00 Goodbyes

58:11 Outro

Mentioned in today’s episode:

The Effects of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Exercise Performance in Eumenorrheic Women https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32661839/

Hazel’s book is available to buy here

Follow Hazel:https://twitter.com/Thefoodmedic

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

Episode transcripts are available here.

Is there a...

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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a lot more common than you might think. In fact, it affects 1 in 10 people globally. Yet there are still a lot of questions about why it occurs and how best to treat it.

Could new research connecting gut health to mental health help us unravel its mysteries?

In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Dr. Will ask: What exactly is IBS, and how does it connect to our brains?

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get

10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Referenced in today’s episode:

  • FODMAP Diet: What you need to know from Johns Hopkins Medicine
  • Large-scale genetic study reveals new clues for the shared origins of irritable bowel syndrome and mental health disorder from the University of Cambridge
  • Irritable bowel syndrome: A chronic sequelae of acute gastroenteritis from Gastroenterology
  • William Olser: Biographical overview from the National Library Of Medicine
  • IBS: What you need to know from the National Center For Complementary and Integrative Health
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) overview from Johns Hopkins Medicine

Episode transcripts are available here.

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com and we’ll do our best to cover it.

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As we age, our bodies undergo numerous changes, including a decline in muscle mass and cognitive function. For many of us, exercise and diet play crucial roles in maintaining our health and well-being.

But how can the protein we eat affect our abilities to exercise and stay healthy as we age?

It can be difficult to separate fact from fiction when it comes to the effects of protein. How much do we need? Is it better to eat protein before or after exercise? And what roles do protein and exercise play in brain function?

In today’s episode, Jonathan is joined by Prof. Ben Wall, an expert in nutritional physiology at the University of Exeter. Together, they unpack the latest scientific research on the connection between protein consumption and exercise.

  • Prof. Ben Wall shares his insights into the optimal amount and timing of protein intake for building and maintaining muscle mass, as well as the potential impact of exercise on cognitive function and brain health into later life.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinZOE.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Timecodes:

00:12Introduction

28:21Quick Fire Questions

02:54Do we need to eat proteins right after exercise?

03:34What is protein?

04:45Why should we care about exercise?

05:36How does exercise help with healthspan?

07:41What are the benefits of exercise?

07:57Does exercise improve brain function?

11:23Where do our muscles come into this conversation?

12:09What constitutes an unhealthy muscle?

13:00What's the difference between a healthy and unhealthy muscle?

14:18How does protein fit into the idea of healthy muscles?

16:03What about the concept of breaking muscle. Is it good for us?

18:13Do we need more protein to help build muscle?

20:07What is the anabolic window and Is it a myth?

21:54Is it fine to listen to our hunger pangs post exercise?

23:01How does protein impact menopause and bone health?

25:04Is there a maximum amount of protein our bodies can absorb?

28:14What is the right amount of protein to eat?

30:02What is an 'adaptive response' to exercise?

31:17How much higher RDA do we need if we are exercising?

33:31Are we already eating enough protein?

35:51Why does muscle mass change as we age?

36:18Do we put on weight when we age?

36:59How do our bodies respond to protein as we age?

41:38How to balance protein and exercise

42:33Where should we get our protein from?

46:43Plant vs animal based protein products

51:26Summary

55:12Goodbyes

55:27Outro

Mentioned in today’s episode:

Ingested protein dose response of muscle and albumin protein synthesis after resistance exercise in young men: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19056590/

Anabolic signaling deficits underlie amino acid resistance of wasting, aging muscle: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15596483/

Food for our future: The nutritional science behind the sustainable fungal protein — mycoprotein: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10131050/

Follow Ben on Twitter :https://twitter.com/benjamintwall

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

Have an idea for a podcast? Contact Fascinate Productions to bring it to life.

Episode transcripts are available here.

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We’ve probably all been reprimanded for eating too fast at the dinner table or suffered the dreaded “itis” from eating way too much food at a family gathering. Our society and the systems we’ve developed to feed it have ballooned to such a point that they easily override our natural bodily systems that tell us when we’ve had enough to eat.

When nearly 50% of the United States population is projected to have obesity by 2030, can something as simple as changing the speed with which we eat really be an effective tool for weight loss and sustaining a healthy body?

In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Sarah ask: What is eating rate and does it have any impact on our health?

Studies referenced in the episode:

  • Does Eating Fast Make You Gain More Weight?
  • Eating slowly increases the postprandial response of the anorexigenic gut hormones, peptide YY and glucagon-like peptide-1
  • Association between eating rate and obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis
  • Eating too fast may lead to weight gain, heart disease
  • Is eating too quickly bad for your health?
  • How Important Is Eating Rate in the Physiological Response to Food Intake, Control of Body Weight, and Glycemia?
  • A systematic review and meta-analysis examining the effect of eating rate on energy intake and hunger
  • Effects of eating rate and eating topography on meal size and satiety
  • The effect of eating rate on satiety in healthy and overweight people – A pilot study
  • Association between Self-Reported Eating Rate, Energy Intake, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in a Multi-Ethnic Asian Population
  • Association between Self-Reported Eating Rate, Energy Intake, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in a Multi-Ethnic Asian Population
  • Control of overweight and obesity in childhood through education in meal time habits. The ‘good manners for a healthy future’ programme*
  • Eating slowly led to decreases in energy intake within meals in healthy women

Episode transcripts are available here.

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to cover? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com and we’ll do our best to cover it.

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Menopause is a time of significant hormonal changes which can lead to a range of symptoms that can severely impact quality of life for many women. So, a drug that promises to reduce these symptoms is incredibly welcome, but it has been steeped in controversy.

HRT (Hormone replacement therapy) has been widely debated, with conflicting information about its effectiveness, with some suggesting HRT is outright dangerous. In fact, a massive study twenty years ago linked it to an increased risk of breast cancer. As a result, the numbers of women taking HRT plummeted. So should HRT be avoided at all costs?

In today’s episode, Jonathan is joined by the author of that very study and esteemed Professor JoAnn Manson, alongside Dr. Sarah Berry to explore the science behind HRT.

  • Professor JoAnn Manson is a professor of epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health and one of the world's most experts on HRT and menopause having run multiple enormous studies to uncover the effects of hormone replacement therapy on women’s health.

With the help of ZOE regular Dr. Sarah Berry, they delve into the science behind HRT, empowering listeners to make informed decisions about treatment for symptoms of the menopause.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinZOE.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Timecodes:

00:00Introduction

00:12Jonathan's introduction

01:33Quick Fire Questions

03:27What is the menopause?

04:10What is the perimenopause?

05:46What is the state of the current conversation on the menopause?

07:13Should women seek help about the menopause?

07:58Why do some women have symptoms and others not?

09:15Yougov and ZOE study results on the menopause

11:35Why is the menopause getting more attention now?

13:39Should we be taking these symptoms seriously?

17:10What else can be done asides from HRT?

18:49Studies on the relationship between diet and menopause symptoms

19:35What can help alleviate symptoms?

21:23Are there any specific foods that can help improve symptoms?

23:37Are menopause specific supplements effective?

24:50How does HRT work?

26:26Is HRT just oestrogen?

30:59Does testosterone have a use for menopause?

31:58What is the controversy behind HRT?

35:56What's the latest advice and health risks?

38:11When should you stop hormone therapy?

40:43Do symptoms persist when you come off of hormone therapy?

42:00How long does HRT take to start working?

43:07How does HRT affect weight management?

45:15Summary

48:04Goodbyes

48:25Outro

Check the trials mentioned in today’s episode:

MsFlash: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4731298/

ZOE Menopause Study: https://joinzoe.com/learn/menopause-metabolism-study

PEPI Trial: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7807658/

Follow Sarah: https://twitter.com/saraheeberry

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

Episode transcripts are available here.

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to cover? Get in touch and we’ll do our best to cover it.

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“Omega 3s,” - we’ve all seen the name Omega 3s advertised on labels from nuts to seeds and even eggs! But are these fats healthy for us, or is this just another food myth?

In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Sarah ask: Is fish oil and omega 3 intake essential or is this just another food myth?

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.

Studies referenced in the episode:

  • High-fat meals rich in EPA plus DHA compared with DHA only have differential effects on postprandial lipemia and plasma 8-isoprostane F2α concentrations relative to a control high–oleic acid meal: a randomized controlled trial
  • Intake of fish and marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and risk of cardiovascular disease mortality: A meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies
  • Omega-3 fatty acids for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease
  • The 3 most Important Types of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
  • REDUCE-IT EPA trial shows association between higher EPA levels, reduced CV events
  • Dietary supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E after myocardial infarction: Results of the GISSI-Prevenzione trial
  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids for the Management of Hypertriglyceridemia: A Science Advisory From the American Heart Association

Episode transcripts are available here.

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to cover? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com and we’ll do our best to cover it.

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Ultra-processed foods have become ubiquitous in modern diets. Many of us eat them regularly without understanding their potential impacts on our health.

From hidden additives to addictive properties, these highly processed foods can pose risks.

Navigating the complex world of ultra-processing can be challenging, and many people struggle to understand what to avoid, how to break unhealthy habits, and make positive changes to their health.

In today’s episode, Jonathan is joined by a special guest, Dr. Chris van Tulleken, to explore the science behind ultra-processed food.

  • Dr. Chris van Tulleken is an infectious diseases doctor at University College Hospital, in London, and one of the BBC’s leading science presenters.

Chris shares the groundbreaking research from his own lived experiments, including the now famous study with his twin brother Xand. His book Ultra-Processed People is out now.

Jonathan and Chris are joined by ZOE regular Tim Spector. Drawing from their combined expertise, our guests provide practical tips and advice, empowering listeners to make informed choices and take control of their diets.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinZOE.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Timecodes:

00:31Introduction

02:14Quick Fire Questions

05:25Start of Chris's journey in nutrition

06:47Discordant twins - How can twin studies help us?

08:51What part do genetics play in our differences in health?

12:52What were the potential consequences of weight gain?

15:20What is ultra processed food (UPF)?

16:54What's the difference between processed and ultra processed food?

18:52Is ultra processing purely about profit?

21:13Examples of ultra processed foods (UPF)

23:13ZOE UPF survey - How much does the ZOE community eat?

25:28Are the products that say they're healthy lying to us?

26:12Are certain ingredients hidden by UPF?

27:44Is low fat yoghurt that good for us?

30:39Is UPF just junk food?

32:56Kevin Hall’s UPF study

34:19What makes UPF addictive?

36:34Chris' ultra processed food experiment

39:12Could food manufacturers make healthier UPF?

41:23How do we solve the issue of UPF as a society?

45:26Practical advice for cutting down on UPF

51:37Summary

55:15Goodbyes

55:27Outro

Follow Chris on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoctorChrisVT

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

Episode transcripts are available here.

Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to cover? Get in touch and we’ll do our best to cover it.

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In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Sarah ask: If nuts are so full of fat, can they really be good for us?

There is no shortage of variety when it comes to the mighty (yet humble) nut and the ways we consume them. Dried, chopped, made into butter or roasted (over an open fire, anyone?) these little guys provide the nutrients our brains and bodies need in surprisingly high quantities. From industrially farmed to indigenously hand-harvested, the story of these nuts is, well…nuts!

In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Sarah ask: If nuts are so full of fat, can they really be good for us?

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.

Studies referenced in the episode:

  • Red-rumped agouti
  • 8 Health Benefits of Nuts
  • Are nuts good for you?
  • Avoiding nuts and seeds for better gut health? You shouldn’t
  • Nuts and their Effect on Gut Microbiota, Gut Function and Symptoms in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials
  • Are fatty nuts a weighty concern? A systematic review and meta-analysis and dose–response meta-regression of prospective cohorts and randomized controlled trials
  • Why are scientists so intrigued by the food matrix?
  • Pecans acutely increase plasma postprandial antioxidant capacity and catechins and decrease LDL oxidation in humans
  • The surprising nutritional benefits of nuts
  • Walnut consumption and health outcomes with public health relevance—a systematic review of cohort studies and randomized controlled trials published from 2017 to present
  • If Almonds Bring You Joy, Enjoy More For Fewer Calories
  • Are nuts bad for you? Why the calorie counts for almonds don’t add up

Episode transcripts are available here.

Want to create your own podcast? Contact Fascinate Productions to bring it to life.

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Proteins, carbs, and fats … most people understand what the last two are. Carbs are sugars, and fat is, well, fat. It's protein that’s so important to our diets, but so often misunderstood — by the general public, that is.

Since the 1950s and 1960s, scientists have been measuring how protein affects our performance, how it supports and maintains the body’s structure, and how best to incorporate it into our diets.

From big steaks to protein shakes, tofu to seitan, protein is more available now than ever before. With so many options, surely we’re getting enough protein?

In today’s episode, Jonathan speaks with a leading nutritional researcher to find out.

  • Christopher Gardner is a professor at Stanford University and a member of ZOE’s scientific advisory board. He’s pioneering the movement to redefine how we understand the quality of our protein intake.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

03:02 - Quickfire questions

04:19 - What is protein?

08:07 - Can our bodies make the proteins we need?

08:37 - The mechanism for our bodies creating amino acids.

09:33 - What is an essential amino acid?

10:45 - Crazy study Stanford scientists did to find the Estimated Average Requirement of protein.

15:24 - How much protein should we consume?

18:15 - How much protein do we already consume?

23:02 - Can our bodies store protein?

24:02 - What happens to excess protein in our bodies?

24:51 - Protein Scam Alert!

25:28 - Stanford Study: Does the type of protein we consume affect physical performance?

28:15 - Protein requirements for kids and pregnant women.

31:05 - What is Amino Acid Distribution?

33:03 - Are plants missing certain amino acids?

33:47 - How is AAD like the game of Scrabble?

38:30 - What is the healthiest source of protein?

38:41 - Dr. Gardner’s case for changing the way we define “protein quality” in the US

41:33 - Jonathan’s summary

43:59 - Goodbyes

44:42 - Outro

Episode transcripts are available here.

Follow Chris: https://twitter.com/GardnerPhD

Studies mentioned in this episode.

  • Maximizing the intersection of human health and the health of the environment with regard to the amount and type of protein produced and consumed in the United States
  • Diet for a Small Planet by Frances Moore Lappé
  • Perspective: The Public Health Case for Modernizing the Definition of Protein Quality

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

This podcast was produced by Fascinate Productions

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Trans fats have a bad reputation. But we now know a lot more about these fats than we did when the first horror stories about them emerged.

So, based on the latest science, just how worried should we be?

Listen to today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition to find out.

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.

Studies referenced in the episode:

  • Hydrogenation of Unsaturated Fats and Trans Fats
  • Effects of dietary fatty acids and carbohydrates on the ratio of serum total to HDL cholesterol and on serum lipids and apolipoproteins: a meta-analysis of 60 controlled trials, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
  • Association of dietary, circulating, and supplement fatty acids with coronary risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis, published in Annals of Internal Medicine
  • Potential of trans fats policies to reduce socioeconomic inequalities in mortality from coronary heart disease in England: cost effectiveness modelling study, published in British Medical Journal
  • WHO calls for action to totally eliminate trans fat, ‘a toxic chemical that kills’
  • Trans fatty acids - are the effects only marginal? - published in American Journal of Public Health
  • Fats and oils in human nutrition
  • A trans European Union difference in the decline in trans fatty acids in popular foods: a market basket investigation, published in British Medical Journal
  • Countries with regulations against industrially produced trans fats tripled over the past year

Episode transcripts are available here.

Is there a topic you'd like us to cover on the show? Email us to let us know!

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A miracle weight loss drug that’s approved in the US and the UK and has few side effects?

Ozempic is going viral on social media. Users are posting dramatic before and after pictures of their weight loss. An Ozempic trend is allegedly blossoming in Hollywood, and famous personalities like Elon Musk claim to have taken it.

Many remain doubtful, dismissing the craze as just another internet scam preying on people’s insecurities. However, earlier this month - semaglutide - the drug’s active ingredient, was approved as a weight loss treatment by the UK’s National Health Service. Even the most sceptical are taking note.

Jonathan speaks to Dr Robert Kushner the lead investigator of the huge phase 3 clinical trial that evaluated the safety and effectiveness of semaglutide. He is a founder of the American Board of Obesity Medicine and hailed the drug as a ‘game-changer’ in regards to the treatment of obesity.

  • Dr Robert Kushner is a Professor of Medicine at Northwestern University and a founder of the American Board of Obesity Medicine.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.

Timecodes:

03:17 – Quickfire questions

04:20 – What is Ozempic, and how does it work?

05:54 – Treating obesity like diabetes

10:24 – The ‘gamechanger’ Semiglutide clinical trial

14:19 – The role our ancestors play in our weight

17:16 – Short-term weight loss vs long-term weight loss

18:40 – Myths about obesity

21:53 – Obesity, a modern problem

23:56 – Other outcomes of the clinical trial

26:59 – The side effects of Semiglutide

31:45 – Risks of using Semiglutide without medical supervision

33:05 – Is Semaglutide linked to cancer?

36:59 – Can you take it If you’re not obese?

39:15 – The long term commitment of Semiglutide

42:49 – Will I put on weight if I stop taking it?

46:01 – Is this the end of obesity

49:30 – Summary

52:28 – Outro

Episode transcripts are available here.

Dr. Robert Kushner’s book, Six Factors to Fit: Weight Loss that Works for You!, is available to buy here

Follow Dr. Robert Kushner here

Studies mentioned: Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

Want to create your own podcast? Contact Fascinate Productions to bring it to life.

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Nightshade vegetables — even the name is ominous. Some people believe they exacerbate arthritis and can cause inflammation. So, should we avoid them?

In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Will ask: What are nightshade vegetables, and how can they benefit our bodies?

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.

Studies referenced in the episode:

  • Potato glycoalkaloids and adverse effects in humans: an ascending dose study
  • Effect of red pepper on symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome: preliminary study
  • Treatment of arthritis with topical capsaicin: a double-blind trial
  • In defence of potatoes: How resistant starch from potatoes affects the gut microbiota
  • Health benefits of eating tomatoes emerge

Episode transcripts are available here.

Want to create your own podcast? Contact Fascinate Productions to bring it to life.

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If you had to do just one thing to improve your health, what would it be?

Our busy lives mean it can be difficult to keep up healthy habits, and with so much conflicting advice out there it’s tricky to separate fact from fiction. In today’s episode, Jonathan is joined by medical doctor, journalist, and presenter Michael Mosley, who is alongside ZOE regular Tim Spector, to discuss Michael’s four key habits to improve our health.

Michael’s latest book ‘Just One Thing’ explores these habits and has seen him speak to singing scientists and eccentric iceman to healthy habit experts and evangelists. And of course, being Michael, he tried every habit out himself. We talk about which methods are the most effective, which he has incorporated into his life, and how he makes his new habits stick.

Take part in the Big Poo Review 💩. Fill out the survey here.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinZOE.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Timecodes:

00:00Introduction

00:12Topic introduction

01:38Quick Fire Questions

03:24Michael's simple changes to improve health

04:26Are cold showers good for you?

05:54How long do you need to be immersed in cold water for the benefits to work?

06:40Can cold showers improve mental wellbeing?

10:25Potential dangers of cold water swimming

11:58Do cultural differences present different outcomes across the world?

13:08Can these small stressors help us?

13:28What is the theory behind this working?

15:21Will this work for everyone or is this very personalized?

17:45What effects does breathing have on your health?

18:57How breathing exercises affect our brain

21:23How do you keep up the breathing exercises?

22:36ZOE app breathing exercise

24:44Is there a difference between breathing through your nose and your mouth?

26:04How important are plants and nature for our health?

29:21Can exposure to nature improve things like mental health and even gut health?

31:01Can herbs also help improve our health?

31:27What are the benefits of exercise?

32:42What are endocannabinoids?

33:41Are preferences for exercise genetic?

35:12Is it endorphins that make us feel good after / during exercise?

36:31How exercise affects us is extremely personalized

38:42How do we encourage people who don't enjoy exercise to do it?

40:13Tips to improve your exercise routines

43:08Are there benefits to walking downhill?

45:42Summary

48:34Goodbyes

49:08Outro

Episode transcripts are available here

Michael Mosley’s book is available to buy here

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

Have an idea for a podcast? Contact Fascinate Productions to bring it to life.

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Lactose is usually only discussed in the context of intolerance. This intolerance can make us feel bloated, gassy and uncomfortable. But from cow’s milk to yoghurt and even breast milk, lactose is everywhere! So, can it really be that bad for us?

In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, we’re joined by Dr Will B. to find out.

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

Take part in the Big Poo Review 💩. Fill out the survey here.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.

Studies referenced in the episode:

Nature: How humans’ ability to digest milk evolved from famine and disease

PubMed Central (PMC)

Effects of Prebiotic and Probiotic Supplementation on Lactase Deficiency and Lactose Intolerance: A Systematic Review of Controlled Trials

PubMed Central (PMC)

Improving lactose digestion and symptoms of lactose intolerance with a novel galacto-oligosaccharide (RP-G28): a randomized, double-blind clinical trial

PubMed Central (PMC)

Impact of short-chain galactooligosaccharides on the gut microbiome of lactose-intolerant individuals

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/lactose-intolerance

The Importance of Lactose in the Human Diet: Outcomes of a Mexican Consensus Meeting:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6893676/

Episode transcripts are available here.

Want to create your own podcast? Contact Fascinate Productions to bring it to life.

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Gut health is a topic is topic we talk about a lot at ZOE. The gut doesn’t just fight disease, it boosts our mood, processes energy and so much more. Today’s bonus episode journeys through everything we’ve learnt about gut health so far. And what a myth-busting journey it is!

In this episode, Jonathan delves into the microbiome, highlighting the most useful tips from conversations with ZOE’s U.S. Medical Director and resident gut health expert, Will Bulsiewicz, and Tim Spector, one of top 100 most cited scientists and author Food for Life.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.

Timecodes:

00:00 - Intro

01:27 - Is bacteria bad for us?

04:10 - How is the microbiome affected by what we eat?

10:00 - What happens to the gut when fasting?

11:53 - Why bacteria eats the inside of our bodies

13:59 - What causes heartburn?

17:00 - What’s going on with gas and bloating?

19:09 - Tell-tale signs of constipation

22:42 - How to treat constipation

25:52 - Other signs of an unhealthy gut

27:20 - Why do doctors ask about your trips to the bathroom?

29:37 - Tips for tackling an unhealthy gut

31:40 - Outro

Episode transcripts are available here.

Will’s book is available to buy here.

Tim’s book is available to buy here.

Full length episodes mentioned:

  • Signs of an unhealthy gut
  • Gut bacteria and fasting: meet the night crew - The Big IF Dailies
  • Gas and bloating: the causes and how to stop it
  • Your gut is full of bugs: why this is great news
  • The ultimate guide to constipation
  • Heartburn: Why it happens and what you can do

Referenced in today’s episode:

  • A redefinition of constipation from King’s College London
  • The State Of The Nation’s Gut, a report from the U.K.-based Love Your Gut initiative
  • Epidemiology of constipation in Europe and Oceania: A systematic review published in BMC Gastroenterology
  • Recent advances in understanding and managing chronic constipation published in F1000Research
  • The Bristol Stool Scale
  • ZOE’s Blue Poop Challenge
  • Blue poo: Impact of gut transit time on the gut microbiome using a novel marker published in Gut

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

Want to create your own podcast? Contact Fascinate Productions to bring it to life.

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If you were to ask Siri, Alexa, or ChatGPT for medical advice right now, that would be a terrible idea.

But with recent developments in technology, this looks set to change. AI has become more intelligent, wearable devices - more accurate, and personalized medicine - increasingly mainstream.

But is any of this safe? Should we really trust machines with our health? And will any of this actually happen?

In today’s episode, Jonathan speaks to Eric Topol to explore how artificial intelligence may transform your next trip to the doctor.

  • Eric Topol is one of the top 10 most-cited researchers in medicine, the author of 3 bestselling books on the future of medicine, and a practising cardiologist.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinZOE.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Timecodes:

00:00 - Introduction

00:11 - Topic introduction

01:53 - Quickfire questions

04:17 - Doctor-patient relationship

05:49 - Jonathan’s story with Eric

08:02 - How has medicine changed?

13:54 - Is there an optimistic future for medicine, utilising AI?

17:46 - How close are we to utilizing AI-based solutions in medicine?

23:09 - Self-diagnosis and preventative care

27:05 - Is prevention possible through AI?

32:33 - Personalized healthcare

41:51 - Summary

43:45 - Goodbyes

44:01 - Outro

Episode transcripts are available here.

Follow Eric on Twitter: https://twitter.com/EricTopol

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

Have an idea for a podcast? Contact Fascinate Productions to bring it to life.

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Eggs are nutrient-dense and have a long shelf life. Compared with many other protein sources, they’re on the cheaper side. But they’re not as popular as they used to be. And a lot of this comes down to a debate about cholesterol.

In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Sarah ask: What’s the truth about eggs?

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.

Episode transcripts are available here.

Want to create your own podcast? Contact Fascinate Productions to bring it to life. 

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Why do some people remain fit and healthy in their later years while others become increasingly frail?

Researchers from Kings College London have been following thousands of twins for 30 years in an effort to understand how each of us ages differently. And some of their findings will surprise you!

In today’s episode, Jonathan speaks to Claire Steves to better understand what all this means, shedding light on how aging works and what we can do about it:

  • Dr. Claire Steves is a senior lecturer at King's College London, a medical doctor, and the clinical director at TwinsUK

We have a small favor to ask. ZOE's working on a number of new initiatives, and we’d love your input. If you could take a few moments to fill out this survey, we would appreciate it. - Take the survey.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinZOE.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Timecodes:

00:00 - Introduction

00:10 - Topic introduction

01:39 - Quickfire questions

03:16 - Claire’s work during the pandemic

05:17 - What happens in our bodies when we age?

08:26 - Genes and aging

09:33 - What factors affect aging?

11:39 - Effects of physical activity

12:23 - Microbiome effects on aging

13:33 - Claire’s research

19:11 - What evidence is there that we can slow the effects of aging?

21:44 - What are some modifiable factors that can help reduce aging effects?

23:06 - Alzheimer's and dementia

28:21 - Stimulating your brain

29:45 - The importance of social interaction for the brain

31:02 - Diet. health and aging

35:27 - Menopause

37:30 - Actionable advice about maximizing health while aging

39:14 - The biggest myth about aging

42:20 - Summary

43:41 - Goodbyes

43:50 - Outro

Episode transcripts are available here

Find Claire’s publications here

The UK’s largest adult twin registry - Twins UK

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

Have an idea for a podcast? Contact Fascinate Productions to bring it to life.

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The formal definition for constipation is ‘Having fewer than three bowel movements per week’. But, did you know that you can have a bowel movement every day and still be constipated? Recent data has shown that a quarter of people worldwide have at one point reported symptoms, suggesting that there is so much more to constipation than simply infrequent bowel movements.

In today’s short-ish episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Will attempt to dispel some misconceptions about constipation and empower you to have better bowel movements.

Studies referenced in today’s episode:

  • A redefinition of constipation by King’s College London, published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology (2019) here
  • The State Of The Nation’s Gut, Love Your Gut here
  • Epidemiology of constipation in Europe and Oceania: a systematic review from Prichard & Bharucha via BMC Gastroenterol here
  • Recent advances in understanding and managing chronic constipation from Peppas, Alexiou, Mourtzoukou & Falagas via F1000Research here

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

Follow Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theguthealthmd/

This podcast was produced by Fascinate Productions.

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The cost of living has soared. Energy prices have doubled, and food costs have gone up enormously. As a result, the weekly shopping bill can be shocking.

For some, this is merely an inconvenience. But many others face the awful choice between heating their home and maintaining their usual diet. The consequence is that many of us are throwing cheaper ingredients into our shopping baskets to save money.

So does this mean that eating healthy is an indulgence that be dropped in favour of cheap ultra-processed food? Or is it still possible to eat healthily on a budget?

In today’s episode, Jonathan speaks to Dr. Rupy Aujla and Tim Spector to better understand how to eat healthier while spending less:

  • Dr. Rupy Aujla is a medical doctor who, since 2015, has been teaching people to cook their way to health. He’s the founder of The Doctor’s Kitchen and has recently turned his efforts to healthy cooking on a tight budget.
  • Tim Spector is a co-founder of ZOE and one of the world's top 100 most cited scientists.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinZOE.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Buy Rupy’s book here.

Timecodes:

00:00 - Introduction

00:10 - Topic introduction

02:12 - Quickfire questions with Rupy

03:33 - Quickfire questions with Tim

04:22 - What’s one swap you can make today if you’re trying to eat well, for less?

05:07 - What has Dr. Rupy been up to?

06:58 - Do you need to give up eating healthy foods when economizing?

08:23 - Options when you’re on a budget

09:31 - Batch cooking

16:00 - Is it expensive to have healthy and good quality foods?

17:54 - Recipe adherence

20:24 - Advice for people cooking on their own

23:53 - How long does food last?

25:24 - How nutritious are canned & frozen foods?

28:23 - About protein

38:31 - What’s the one food you should spend more money on?

41:34 - Summary

42:29 - Can you have a healthier diet as a consequence of being on a budget?

43:23 - Goodbyes

43:26 - Outro

Get Tim’s book here.

Episode transcripts are available here.

Find delicious recipes to cook here.

Follow Rupy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctors_kitchen

Follow Tim on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tim.spector

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

Want to create your own podcast? Contact Fascinate Productions to bring it to life.

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Our gut helps fight disease. It processes energy for us and boosts our mood. So, having a healthy gut is extremely important – but there’s still a lot we don’t know.

Gut biome tests are a new, exciting technology, but are they the be-all and end-all for dietary decision-making? And are there simpler ways — and tastier ways, perhaps — to tell what’s happening inside our bodies?

In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Dr. Will ask: What are the signs of an unhealthy gut? And how can we improve our gut health?

Referenced in today’s episode:

  • The Bristol Stool Scale. https://www.bladderandbowel.org/bowel/bowel-resources/bristol-stool-form-scale/
  • ZOE’s Blue Poop Challenge: https://www.joinzoe.com/bluepoop
  • Blue poo: Impact of gut transit time on the gut microbiome using a novel marker published in Gut https://gut.bmj.com/content/70/9/1665

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

This podcast was produced by Fascinate Productions.

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Blood sugar is one of the rare nutrition topics where everyone agrees: We should avoid big peaks and dips and aim for a steady curve.

Spikes cause inflammation, accelerate aging, and lead to type 2 diabetes. Crashes make us feel moody and tired, and crave foods we don’t need.

We can control our blood sugar through what and how we eat. But something else affects our blood sugar — physical activity.

Exercise has a profound effect on your blood sugar response. Together with your food choices, being physically active helps you keep your blood sugar level even.

In this episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan speaks with Javier Gonzalez and Sarah Berry to find out how exercise affects our blood sugar response — even when we’re fasting — and how much exercise we need to do to benefit.

  • Javier Gonzalez is an associate professor of human physiology at the University of Bath whose research focuses on the interaction between diet and exercise.
  • Sarah Berry is one of the world's leading experts on human nutrition. She has personally run over 20 randomized clinical trials looking at how humans respond to different fats.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinZOE.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Timecodes:

00:00 - Introduction

00:12 - Topic introduction

01:39 - Quickfire questions

02:55 - Is a 30-minute walk as good as 30-minute cardio?

03:39 - What is blood sugar and why should we care about it?

05:10 - Blood sugar control throughout the day

07:43 - Why is it important to know about blood sugar?

09:01 - Blood sugar control

12:25 - How exercise affects blood sugar

14:17 - The power of fidgeting

16:12 - Effects of higher intensity exercise

17:00 - Lower intensity exercise vs higher intensity exercise

18:41 - Intermittent fasting and blood sugar

24:43 - Personalization

26:35 - What types of exercises can you do to control blood sugar?

29:12 - Cardio vs resistance training

34:21 - Blood fats & exercise

42:15 - 3 tips on leveraging exercise to control blood sugar and blood fats

43:14 - Summary

44:25 - Goodbyes

44:37 - Outro

Episode transcripts are available here.

Follow Javier on Twitter: https://twitter.com/gonzalez_jt

Follow Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsarahberry/

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

Have an idea for a podcast? Contact Fascinate Productions to bring it to life.

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More than half of us have high cholesterol — and new research suggests that having even slightly raised levels in our 30s could significantly increase our chances of developing heart disease.

Medication is a common fix, but it comes with side effects. So, today we’re looking at how much changing our diets can help.

In this short (ish) episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Sarah ask: Can we lower our cholesterol by changing our diets?

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Studies referenced in the episode:

  • ‘Association between Carbohydrate Intake and Serum Lipids’ from the Journal of the American Nutrition Association here
  • ‘The Mediterranean Diet And Cardioprotection: Historical Overview And Current Research from the Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare here
  • ‘Direct comparison of dietary portfolio vs statin on C-reactive protein’ from the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition here

This podcast was produced by Fascinate Productions.

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This year, cases of an invasive bacterial infection are rising earlier than usual in the US, the UK and other countries across Europe.

The group A Streptococcus bacteria - commonly known as Strep A - usually only causes mild illness. However, things have become severe in some cases, with several children dying in recent weeks.

So, should we be worried? And what symptoms should we look out for to help us identify this illness in ourselves and our families?

In today’s episode, Jonathan is joined by world-leading expert on the subject: Shiranee Sriskandan is a professor of Infectious Diseases at Imperial College London whose scientific research focuses specifically on Strep A bacteria. Regular guest and ZOE co-founder Tim Spector also joins, and as one of the world’s top 100 most cited scientists, Tim has been closely following infectious diseases in the community through the ZOE Health Study.

If you want to boost your immune system by uncovering the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Timecodes:

00:00 Introduction

00:10 Topic Introduction

01:40Quickfire Questions

03:15What is Strep?

04:04How common is Strep?

05:02Seasonality of Strep and symptoms in different climates

05:30What makes this year different?

06:31Can Strep make other illnesses worse?

07:07We've already seen signs of Strep rising over time, is this due to lockdown?

09:36How worried should we be about Strep infections?

10:10Group A Strep will often get better on its own

11:07The risk of rarer invasive infections is greater as the pool of cases increases

11:59Immune response to Strep A can increase chances of Rheumatic Fever

13:35What is Rheumatic Fever?

14:59What are the symptoms of Strep A

16:53How to treat Strep Throat

18:12What is the relationship between Strep A and Scarlet Fever

18:53Who gets Scarlet Fever and what are the symptoms?

19:34What are the distinguishing features between covid and other sore throats

20:53Do children get more fevers if they are younger?

22:54What to do if you think your child has strep throat

24:01Can you get rapid tests for Strep A?

24:25Why has Strep throat been seemingly more prominent in the US than the UK

25:41Different health services around the world and their respective responses to Strep

27:36Should we be testing and treating?

30:15What role does differing attitudes to healthcare play in this?

32:02Should we be cautious about using antibiotics for Strep A?

33:51What potential problems are there around antibiotics?

36:00Would a vaccine be the answer to stopping Strep in its tracks?

38:41Tim's top tips to boost your immunity this winter

41:06Summary

Episode transcripts are available here

Read about Tim Spector’s ZOE Health Study here

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

Have an idea for a podcast? Contact Fascinate Productions to bring it to life.

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Welcome to 2023! Whether you partied last night or went to bed early, we’re all in the same boat: a new year means thinking about new year’s resolutions.

This tradition dates back 4000 years, so it’s certainly stood the test of time. But are new year’s resolutions a good idea? Or simply a get way to set yourself up to fail?

Perhaps science has something to say about this.

In this episode, Jonathan speaks with Tara Swart and Sarah Berry, who share techniques that will give you the best chance of sticking to your New Year’s resolutions. They also discuss whether these promises are a good idea in the first place.

  • Tara Swart is a medical doctor, a neuroscientist, and the author of The Source: Open Your Mind, Change Your Life. She also has her own podcast, called Reinvent Yourself.
  • Sarah Berry is one of the world's leading experts on human nutrition. She has personally run more than 20 randomized clinical trials looking at how humans respond to different fats.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinZOE.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Timecodes:

00:00 - Introduction

00:10 - Topic introduction

01:54 - Quickfire questions

02:32 - Making good choices for the New Year without it being hard work

04:28 - Why do we do New Year resolutions and is it a good idea?

07:07 - How to achieve New Year’s resolution goals?

09:18 - Scientific evidence about how to achieve goals

09:53 - What is neuroplasticity

16:02 - 4-step process to change your brain

18:36 - How to approach weight loss resolutions

23:07 - Avoiding dieting as a New Year’s resolution

25:49 - The science of habits

33:07 - Tips & actionable advice

40:02 - Quitting alcohol

43:26 - Summary

44:00 - Goodbyes

44:11 - Outro

Episode transcripts are available here.

Get Tara’s book here.

Follow Tara on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtaraswart

Follow Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsarahberry/

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

Have an idea for a podcast? Contact Fascinate Productions to bring it to life.

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You might think what you eat and when are the only factors that play into the health of your diet. But recent research has shown that who you eat with can also play a role. And it could even make your food taste better!

In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Sarah ask: Can eating with other people really improve your food?

Studies referenced in today’s episode:

  • Associations of family feeding and mealtime practices with children's overall diet quality, published in Appetite here
  • ‘Diet and Health Benefits Associated with In-Home Eating and Sharing Meals at Home’ from International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health here
  • ‘The Protective Role of Family Meals for Youth Obesity: 10-year Longitudinal Associations’ from the U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services here

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

Follow Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsarahberry/

This podcast was produced by Fascinate Productions.

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What should I have for dinner? A question you no doubt ask yourself daily. But I bet you don't spend too long coming up with an answer. ZOE's scientific co-founder, Tim Spector, has been trying to answer this question for a decade.

If you're a regular listener, you probably know him well. Five years ago, he published the best-selling book, The Diet Myth, and just last month, he released the follow-up, Food for Life, the New Science of Eating Well.

In this episode, you'll hear a chapter from the book titled “So Now What Should I Have for Dinner?”

  • Tim Spector is a co-founder of ZOE and one of the world's top 100 most-cited scientists.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinZOE.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Get Tim’s book here.

Timecodes:

00:00 - Intro

01:44 - Chapter 11. So now what should I have for dinner?

14:00 - Personalizing my diet

26:15 - Five final tips

27:00 - Outro

--

Follow Tim on Instagram: www.instagram.com/tim.spector

Episode transcripts are available here.

This podcast was produced by Fascinate Productions.

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The last decade saw a rise in gluten-free diets. But the number of us with diagnosed gluten intolerance each year hasn’t changed.

Eliminating gluten is the only treatment for those with celiac disease, but the rest of us could be doing more harm than good by embracing ultra-processed, gluten-free foods.

In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Will ask: Should you be worried about gluten?

Studies referenced in the episode:

  • ‘Health Benefits and Adverse Effects of a Gluten-Free Diet in Non–Celiac Disease Patients’ from Gastroenterol & Hepatology here
  • ‘The Gluten-Free Diet: Recognizing Fact, Fiction, and Fad’ from The Journal of Pediatrics here
  • ’Is There Evidence to Support the Claim that a Gluten-Free Diet Should Be Used for Weight Loss?’ from the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics here

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

This podcast was produced by Fascinate Productions.

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We all know how good it feels to drift into deep sleep and wake up feeling refreshed.

The positive effects of a good night’s sleep affect every aspect of our lives. We feel energetic, focused, and ready to take on the day’s challenges.

But the long-term effects of bad sleep are less known. It turns out, they have a huge impact on our health and even how long we live.

In this episode, Jonathan speaks with Prof. Matthew Walker to learn what the latest science says about improving our sleep — to give us more energy and better health. They also discuss whether how we sleep changes how our bodies respond to food.

  • Matthew Walker is a sleep expert, a professor of neuroscience at UC Berkeley, and founder of the Center for Human Sleep Science. He’s also the author of Why We Sleep.

Matt and his team are currently working with ZOE scientists to research the links between sleep, nutrition, and health.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinZOE.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Timecodes:

00:00 - Intro

00:33 - Episode start

01:22 - Quickfire questions

02:48 - What’s the biggest myth about sleep»

04:09 - What is sleep?

07:46 - Why do we sleep?

10:29 - REM

14:22 - How does Matt study sleep?

16:18 - What happens when you don’t get enough sleep?

22:48 - Collaboration with ZOE

28:16 - Sleep and menopause

32:38 - Tips on how to sleep better

33:23 - Sleep regularity

35:12 - How do you find out about your chronotype?

37:20 - Bedroom temperature

38:04 - Lighting

39:04 - Caffeine and Alcohol effects on sleep

44:22 - Making your room like a cave

44:57 - The influence of screens on your sleep

47:03 - Summary

48:14 - Goodbyes

48:35 - Outro

Get Matt’s book here.

Listen to Matt’s podcast here.

'How people wake up is associated with previous night’s sleep together with physical activity and food intake' - Read the paper: here.

Find out your chronotype here.

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

This podcast was produced by Fascinate Productions.

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The acid in your stomach is so powerful it can dissolve metal. Luckily, your stomach is fine-tuned to deal with its acidic fluid, but the rest of your body isn’t quite as hardy.

So, if acid escapes from your stomach and reaches your esophagus, it can cause a painful sensation in the chest — this is heartburn. It isn’t rare, with more than 1 billion people suffering from it globally.

In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Will ask: Why do we get heartburn, and what’s the best way to deal with it?

Want to own a piece of ZOE? You can Invest for as little as £10 on our Crowdcube page.

Learn more.

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

If you want to discover the right foods for yourbody, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Studies referenced in the episode:

  • ‘Prevalence and clinical spectrum of gastroesophageal reflux: a population-based study in Olmsted County, Minnesota’ from Gastroenterology here
  • ‘Proton-pump inhibitors and risk of fractures: an update meta-analysis’ from Osteoporos Int. here
  • ‘Proton pump inhibitors alter the composition of the gut microbiota’ from BMJ here

This podcast was produced by Fascinate Productions.

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Good information about vitamins is hard to find. With over 70% of Americans and 40% of Brits using them, it's a hugely lucrative market, which means numerous voices in the media and online pusing a pro-vitamin agenda. All without the scientific evidence to support their claims.

So do we need vitamins to lead a healthy life? Or could these supplements actually cause serious health complications?

In this episode, Jonathan speaks with Prof. JoAnn Manson and Dr. Sarah Berry to better understand how vitamin supplements affect our health.

  • JoAnn Manson is a professor of epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health and one of the world's most cited researchers. She’s run multiple enormous studies with over 20,000 participants to uncover the real effects of vitamin supplementation on our health.
  • Dr. Sarah Berry is one of the world's leading experts on human nutrition, who has personally run over 20 randomized clinical trials looking at how humans respond to different fats.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinZOE.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Timecodes:

00:00 - Introduction

02:29 - Quickfire questions

04:27 - Why are people confused about supplements?

05:17 - Which supplement does the majority of the population benefit from taking and why?

05:51 - What are dietary supplements and vitamins?

09:33 - Why is there so much advertising suggesting supplements?

10:54 - JoAnn’s research

14:07 - About vitamin C

15:15 - Megadosing

19:51 - VITAL and COSMOS trials

25:13 - Should we take vitamin D

27:37 - Omega-3

32:48 - Variation & personalization

36:51 - Actionable advice on supplements

38:45 - Should children take supplements?

42:13 - Should we all take a standard dose multivitamin?

44:54 - Summary

46:25 - Goodbyes

46:57 - Outro

Episode transcripts are available here.

Check the trials mentioned in today’s episode: AREDS 2, COSMOS, Physicians' Health Study II, VITAL

Follow Sarah: https://twitter.com/saraheeberry

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

This podcast was produced by Fascinate Productions.

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It's a condition that affects half the population, but there are countless unanswered questions about menopause. The symptoms vary significantly from person to person, including sleep problems, hot flashes, weight gain, and an increased risk of heart disease.

In one of the largest studies to date, ZOE researchers have uncovered a link between menopause and our diets — and this could hold the key to reducing the severity of menopause symptoms.

In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Sarah ask: what role does diet play during menopause?

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

Follow Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsarahberry/

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Studies referenced in the episode:

  • ‘Why we are all being let down by the lack of research into menopause’ from Mosaic here
  • ‘Menopause’ from the Nature Reviews Disease Primers here
  • ‘What is Menopause?’ from the National Institute of Aging here

This podcast was produced by Fascinate Productions.

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In a lab in Ireland, a group of scientists stand around a stainless steel table. One of them is holding a device, not unlike a small turkey baster. His free hand plunges into a box on the table and retrieves a mouse.

Using his device, he administers the brown solution within…rectally.

This unfortunate soul has just received a fecal microbiota transplant. The donor was not another mouse but a human being. And the person in question had symptoms of severe depression.

Jonathan speaks to John Cryan, author of the study that showed a relationship between gut and brain. In this episode, we learn more about his fascinating research, how microbes may affect our brain, and to eat to appease your gut bugs.

  • John Cryan is a professor at University College Cork and a world-leading researcher into the relationship between our brain and our gut microbiome.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinZOE.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Timecodes:

00:00 - Introduction

02:05 - Quickfire questions

03:26 - Are there links between the gut and the brain?

06:31 - The gut-brain axis

09:17 - How do gut bacteria affect our brains?

11:12 - Why does John call the microbiome “the chamber of secrets”?

14:20 - Does the microbiome explain drug side effects?

15:51 - Are there links between our microbiomes and mental health?

20:40 - If we improve our microbiome health can we improve our mental health?

24:58 - Can food help improve the microbiome and thus improve mental health?

28:33 - Microbiome’s effect on behavior

29:54 - Actionable advice

34:43 - Microbiome in adolescence

37:18 - Summary

38:26 - Goodbyes

38:48 - Outro

Episode transcripts are available here.

Follow John: https://twitter.com/jfcryan

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

This podcast was produced by Fascinate Productions.

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We use it to fry, roast, or dress a salad. Cooking oil is a kitchen staple. But it's hard to know which is healthiest for each scenario. In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Sarah ask: what cooking oils should you use and when?  Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ (https://www.instagram.com/zoe/) If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program. Studies referenced in the episode: ‘Heated vegetable oils and cardiovascular disease risk factors’ from Vascular Pharmacologyhttps://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)31809-9/fulltext ( here) ‘Does cooking with vegetable oils increase the risk of chronic diseases?: a systematic review’ from British Journal of Nutrition https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26148920/ (here) ‘Culinary oils and their health effects’ from British Nutrition Foundation  https://archive.nutrition.org.uk/attachments/113_Culinary%20oils%20and%20their%20health%20effects.pdf (here)

This podcast was produced byhttps://fascinateproductions.co.uk/ ( Fascinate Productions).

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Fermentation is a hot craze in fancy restaurants around the world. And fermented foods, like kombucha and kimchi, are even sold in corner stores.  Listeners of this show will have heard that fermented foods might benefit our gut health. But these foods make us uneasy. The idea of letting food rot, then eating it goes against everything our parents taught us. So, is fermentation scary and dangerous?  This episode will show you why it's not only safe but beneficial to eat fermented foods, and that fermenting foods is something you can try at home.  Jonathan speaks to Tim Spector and Sandor Katz — whom the food magazine CHOW calls a provocateur, trendsetter, and rabble-rouser — to better understand the fabulous world of fermentation.  https://www.wildfermentation.com (Sandor Katz) is a food activist who is widely credited with reintroducing fermentation to the US and the UK, calling himself a fermentation revivalist. https://www.tim-spector.co.uk (Tim Spector) is a co-founder at ZOE and one of the top 100 most cited scientists in the world.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to http://joinzoe.com/podcast (joinZOE.com/podcast) and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program. Timecodes: 00:00 - Intro 00:13 - Topic introduction 02:21 - Quickfire questions 04:10 - Isn’t fermentation niche? 05:05 - What is fermentation? 07:36 - Why did our ancestors ferment their food? 08:54 - How is fermentation preserving food? 12:45 - What are the impacts on our health of eating fermented foods? 16:27 - How to make kimchi 19:00 - What is kefir? 20:25 - Why are fermented foods good for our health 24:19 - Why don’t we have to worry about bacteria in fermented foods? 29:36 - What are the best fermented foods to get started with? 34:16 - Can you purchase fermented foods at stores? 39:26 - 5 tips for people interested in trying fermented foods 42:42 - Summary 44:17 - Listener’s question: What’s the most unusual food that you’ve fermented? 45:16 - Goodbyes 45:24 - Outro Episode transcripts are available https://joinzoe.com/learn/category/nutrition/podcast (here). Follow Sandor: https://www.instagram.com/sandorkraut/ (https://www.instagram.com/sandorkraut/) Learn Sandor’s sauerkraut recipe https://www.wildfermentation.com/making-sauerkraut-2/ (here). Get Sandor’s book https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Fermentation-Flavor-Nutrition-Live-Culture/dp/1603586288/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3A7IKBXZ00VKW&keywords=wild+fermentation&qid=1665273925&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIyLjIyIiwicXNhIjoiMS43MiIsInFzcCI6IjEuNjMifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=wild+fermentati%2Caps%2C314&sr=8-1 (here). Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ (https://www.instagram.com/zoe/) This podcast was produced by https://fascinateproductions.co.uk/ (Fascinate Productions).

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Have you ever lost your temper because you were hungry? Feeling short-tempered when you’re overdue a bite to eat is an almost universal experience, with its own adjective - ‘hangry’. If missing just one meal turns you into a grump, you may think that fasting would turn you into the Incredible Hulk. However, new data suggests this might not be the case.  In this daily episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Dr Sarah Berry joins Jonathan to answer the question: how does fasting affect your energy and mood? This episode is part of a limited series to celebrate the launch of The Big IF Study: The world’s largest clinical study to discover how intermittent fasting affects our mood, energy and hunger levels. Want to know if intermittent fasting can work for you?  Take part for FREE:http://joinzoe.com/thebigif ( joinzoe.com/thebigif) This podcast was produced by Fascinate Productions.

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Can you make it from lunch to dinner without a snack? Tradition tells us that three meals a day is the right way to eat, but times have changed, and many of us now choose to eat little and often. The debate continues as to which is better.  Today, we discuss new data that could settle this once and for all. In this daily episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan is joined by Dr Sarah Berry to answer the question: should we eat little and often or 3 meals a day? This episode is part of a limited series to celebrate the launch of The Big IF Study: The world’s biggest clinical study to discover how intermittent fasting affects our mood, energy and hunger levels.  Want to know if intermittent fasting can work for you?  Take part in the Big IF Study for FREE: joinzoe.com/thebigif This podcast was produced by Fascinate Productions.

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Nowadays, food can be delivered to your door with just a few swipes of your smartphone. The result? Many of us eat more frequently, at any time of the day. And this may have some downsides. New research shows that for our gut bacteria to perform their helpful activities, we may have to embrace the dietary patterns of our ancestors.  In today’s daily episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan is joined by Tim Spector to answer the question: How do gut bacteria repair your gut while fasting? This episode is part of a limited series to celebrate the launch of The Big IF study: The world’s biggest clinical study to discover how intermittent fasting affects our mood, energy and hunger.  Want to know if intermittent fasting can work for you?  TAKE PART for FREE:http://joinzoe.com/thebigif ( joinzoe.com/thebigif) This podcast was produced by Fascinate Productions.

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Food package labels can be complex. With so much information, many of us set a beeline for the calorie number, but there’s more going on in food than just the amount of energy. How much value is there in counting calories, and should you continue? The latest science could make you reconsider.  In today’s daily episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan is joined by Dr Sarah Berry to answer the question: Does calorie counting work? This episode is part of a limited series to celebrate the launch of The Big IF study: The world’s biggest clinical study to discover how intermittent fasting affects our mood, energy and hunger.  Want to know if intermittent fasting can work for you?   TAKE PART for FREE:http://joinzoe.com/thebigif ( joinzoe.com/thebigif) This podcast was produced by https://fascinateproductions.co.uk/ (Fascinate Productions).

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We’ve all been there at least once, hovering by the fridge and looking for something to graze on just before bed. What you eat after dark can disrupt your sleep and digestion. Yet new evidence suggests that when we snack is less important than what we snack on, so suddenly that midnight snack may not be a guilty pleasure after all.   In today’s daily episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan is joined by Dr Sarah Berry to answer the question: should you avoid late-night snacks? This episode is part of a limited series to celebrate the launch of The Big IF Study: The world’s biggest clinical study to discover how intermittent fasting affects our mood, energy and hunger.  Want to know if intermittent fasting can work for you?  TAKE PART for FREE: http://joinzoe.com/thebigif (joinzoe.com/thebigif) This podcast was produced by Fascinate Productions.

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Fasting has been shown to improve our metabolism, slow disease and potentially increase our life span. While world religions have practiced fasting for millennia, the trend of fasting has soared in popularity in the last decade.  Not all fasts are made equally and there are a lot of different rules to follow. Some purists argue that you’re only allowed water while fasting others believe there can be more flexibility during your period of abstinence.  In today’s daily episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan is joined by Tim Spector to answer the question: what breaks a fast?  This episode is part of a limited series to celebrate the launch of The Big IF Study: The world’s biggest clinical study to discover how intermittent fasting affects our mood, energy and hunger levels.  Want to know if intermittent fasting can work for you?  TAKE PART for FREE: http://joinzoe.com/thebigif (joinzoe.com/thebigif) This podcast was produced by Fascinate Productions.

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Where were you in 2015? President Obama was in the White House, The UK was a member of the European Union, and you couldn’t escape Bruno Mars's global smash: Uptown Funk. More importantly, 2015 marked the release of Tim Spector’s first book: The Diet Myth. If you think the world has felt different since 2015, wait until you hear about the advances in nutritional science. Since then, Tim has had a chance to rethink his position on dietary staples like bread, milk, ultra-processed foods and more.  He’s put everything he’s learnt into his new book Food for Life: The New Science of Eating Well.  In this episode, Tim speaks with Jonathan about what he got right, where he went wrong, and what the future holds for the world of nutrition.  https://www.tim-spector.co.uk (Tim Spector) is a co-founder at ZOE and one of the world's top 100 most cited scientists.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to http://joinzoe.com/podcast (joinZOE.com/podcast) and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program. Timecodes: 00:00 - Intro 00:10 - Topic introduction 02:33 - Quickfire questions 03:19 - Has Tim changed his opinion on anything while writing his new book? 03:55 - Tim’s new book: Food for Life 05:41 - Today’s topic: 5 foods Tim got wrong 06:55 - #1: Bread 10:16 - What has Tim’s opinion changed about bread? 12:23 - #2: Personalization 15:15 - How has Tim’s breakfast changed? 22:05 - #3: Milk 25:04 - Skim milk vs whole milk 27:48 - What kind of milk does Tim have? 29:43 - #4: Mushrooms 32:37 - #5: Ultra-processed foods 40:30 - Summary 42:17 - Will Tim write another book? 42:49 - Goodbyes 42:53 - Outro Pre-order Tim’s book https://amzn.to/3ySEIvG (here). Episode transcripts are available https://joinzoe.com/learn/category/nutrition/podcast (here). Check the trial mentioned in today’s episode https://www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/fulltext/S1550-4131(19)30248-7#section-e587233e-22aa-4221-8ae1-22df489d46f7 (here).  This podcast was produced by https://fascinateproductions.co.uk/ (Fascinate Productions).

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It seems like every day, someone new mentions intermittent fasting. But what is it, exactly?  There are myriad options — from the 5:2 diet, with two days of extreme calorie restriction each week, to the warrior diet, which involves eating only raw fruit during the day and a mammoth feast at night.

Whatever the approach, intermittent fasting involves restricting the window of time when you eat.

Supporters evangelise the benefits, promising weight loss, disease prevention, and even life extension. 

Currently, the scientific evidence is unclear, but it's an exciting area that may be full of potential. 

Today, Jonathan speaks with Gin Stephens, who has had a powerful experience of intermittent fasting transforming her health and weight. He also talks to Tim Spector, who will share what science can tell us about intermittent fasting today —  and, interestingly, how much it can’t, yet. Plus, an exciting announcement about how this is set to change.

https://www.ginstephens.com (Gin Stephens) is a New York Times bestselling author and podcast host. https://www.tim-spector.co.uk (Tim Spector) is a co-founder of ZOE and one of the world's top 100 most cited scientists.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to http://joinzoe.com/podcast (joinZOE.com/podcast) and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Timecodes: 00:00 - Intro 00:15 - Topic introduction 02:44 - Quickfire questions 04:38 - ZOE’s intermittent fasting study 08:42 - What is intermittent fasting and how it impacted Gin’s life 11:50 - Demystifying intermittent fasting 14:19 - The science of intermittent fasting 23:29 - Starting intermittent fasting 25:29 - What am I allowed to have during intermittent fasting? 30:07 - The first 28 days of “clean” intermittent fasting 32:51 - Intermittent fasting and the microbiome 37:00 - Correlation with circadian rhythms 38:56 - How important is consistency when time-restricted eating? 41:14 - On intermittent fasting & women’s health 43:24 - Summary 44:35 - Goodbyes 44:56 - Outro

Episode transcripts are available https://joinzoe.com/learn/category/nutrition/podcast (here).

Join us for the World’s Biggest Intermittent Fasting study at http://joinzoe.com/fasting (joinzoe.com/fasting)

Follow Gin: https://www.instagram.com/ginstephens (https://www.instagram.com/ginstephens)

Get Gin’s books https://www.ginstephens.com/get-the-books.html (here).

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ (https://www.instagram.com/zoe/)

This podcast was produced by https://fascinateproductions.co.uk/ (Fascinate Productions).

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Diets rich in fiber are associated with good heart health and metabolic wellbeing. This type of diet can do wonders for our gut microbiome. With so many benefits, relatively low cost, and high availability, fiber should be a staple nutrient in our diets — but most of us have a deficiency.   In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Will ask: If fiber is so good for us, why are we not eating enough of it?

Follow ZOE on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ ( https://www.instagram.com/zoe/)   If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.   Studies referenced in the episode: Read ‘Carbohydrate quality and human health: a series of systematic reviews and meta-analyses’ from The Lancet https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)31809-9/fulltext (here)

This podcast was produced byhttps://fascinateproductions.co.uk/ ( Fascinate Productions).

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60,000 miles long. That’s the length of the tube system inside us that transports blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the cells in our body.  If these tubes fail, the result can be fatal. In some cases, it’s a heart attack. In others, it’s a stroke, where the blood supply to the brain is disrupted, and brain cells are damaged or killed.  Heart attacks and strokes are a major cause of death in developed countries - but we can take action to reduce the risks. 

In this episode, Jonathan speaks to a world-renowned physician, scientist, and speaker to gain insights into how looking after this magical pipework could slow down aging. 

https://drwilliamli.com (Dr. William Li) is a world-leading specialist in blood vessels and preventative health and the author of countless papers on the topic, who possesses the gift for communicating this complex subject in terms we can all understand.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to http://joinzoe.com/podcast (joinZOE.com/podcast) and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Timecodes: 00:00 - Intro 00:09 - Topic introduction 01:34 - Quickfire questions 04:17- Why do blood vessels matter? 05:28 - How do blood vessels link to heart health? 09:15 - Elasticity of blood vessels 13:51 - Can we reverse the stiffening and blockage of blood vessels? 19:58 - Does food damage the blood vessels? 24:40 - Does high blood pressure affect blood vessels? 29:36 - How do aging and diet affect blood vessels? 34:16 - Data on reversing blood vessel damage 39:00 - How is aging linked to blood vessel health? 41:53 - Summary 43:05 - Goodbyes 43:21 - Outro

Episode transcripts are available https://joinzoe.com/learn/category/nutrition/podcast (here).

Follow William: https://twitter.com/drwilliamli (https://twitter.com/drwilliamli)

Get William’s book https://www.amazon.com/Eat-Beat-Disease-Science-Itself/dp/1538714620 (here).

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ (https://www.instagram.com/zoe/)

This podcast was produced by https://fascinateproductions.co.uk/ (Fascinate Productions).

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Most of us are familiar with the unpleasant feeling of being bloated. It can happen after eating specific foods or when you experience slower bowel movements. Sometimes, it can be a symptom of an underlying health condition.  To take a closer look at issues related to gas and bloating, we’ve invited a special guest this week: superstar gastroenterologist and Zoe’s US Medical Director Will Bulsiewicz.

In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Will ask: what are the main causes of gas bloating and how do we stop it?

Follow ZOE on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ ( https://www.instagram.com/zoe/)   If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.   Studies referenced in the episode: Burden of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in the United States: Results of a Nationally Representative Survey of Over 71,000 Americans + Am J Gastroenterol + https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6453579/ (here)  Abdominal bloating is the most bothersome symptom in irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C): a large population-based Internet survey in Japan + Biopsychosoc Med. + https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4893246/ (here ) Sensation of bloating and visible abdominal distension in patients with irritable bowel syndrome + Am J Gastroenterol + https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11774947/ (here) 

This podcast was produced byhttps://fascinateproductions.co.uk/ ( Fascinate Productions).

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Our planet is overheating. Human society is creating too much carbon dioxide, stopping the sun’s warmth from escaping back into space. As earth gets hotter, its ice caps are melting, causing sea levels to rise, and submerging entire communities. Floods, droughts, and wildfires are already becoming much more common. Some effects of climate change are now irreversible, but there is still hope, and adjusting what we eat might play a bigger part than you’d imagine.

In this episode, Jonathan speaks with a pioneer in science who will help you understand how your eating habits affect the planet, so you can make informed decisions about the foods you eat and how you prepare them.

http://sarahbridle.net (Sarah Bridle) is a professor of food climate and society at the University of York in the United Kingdom. She is on the vanguard of a new field, and her research carefully measures the exact effects of the foods we eat on climate change. 

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to http://joinzoe.com/podcast (joinZOE.com/podcast) and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Timecodes: 00:00 - Intro 00:10 - Topic introduction 01:34 - Quickfire questions 03:14 - Why does climate change matter? 05:40 - Why does food matter for reducing climate change? 07:44 - Understanding how different foods affect the climate 11:32 - Do I have to go vegan to help stop climate change? 13:14 - Are all meats equal in terms of their climate impact? 16:20 - How do by-products of animals impact climate? 17:22 - Carbon footprint of milk alternatives 19:51 - Is a baked potato good for the planet? 21:42 - Other things that impact climate change to consider 23:33 - Food miles vs air miles? 26:48 - Are avocados killing the planet? 28:05 - Avocados’ water consumption 28:44 - Packaging 34:34 - Food waste 35:20 - Can a sustainable diet be affordable? 36:39 - 3 things to do to reduce your impact on climate change 38:58 - Summary 40:22 - Goodbyes 40:49 - Outro

Episode transcripts are available https://joinzoe.com/learn/category/nutrition/podcast (here).

Follow Sarah: https://twitter.com/sarahbridle (https://twitter.com/sarahbridle)

Get Sarah’s book https://www.amazon.com/Food-Climate-Change-without-hot-ebook/dp/B0873WWT6W (here).

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ (https://www.instagram.com/zoe/)

This podcast was produced by https://fascinateproductions.co.uk/ (Fascinate Productions).

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Cholesterol in our food has a bad reputation. Many of us think of it as something to try to cut it out of our diet completely.  Yet new research could redeem eggs and other cholesterol-rich foods.  In today’s short episode of ZOE Science and Nutrition, Jonathan and Sarah ask: what happens when you eat high cholesterol foods? 

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ (https://www.instagram.com/zoe/)

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.

Studies referenced in the episode: Hyperlipidemia as a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease + Prim Care. + https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3572442/ (here) Dietary cholesterol provided by eggs and plasma lipoproteins in healthy populations + Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care + https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16340654/ (here) The Role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Reverse Cholesterol Transport: A Review + Nutrients + https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5691715/ (here)

This podcast was produced by https://fascinateproductions.co.uk/ (Fascinate Productions).

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In today’s world, we increasingly live our lives late into the night. Whether it's work obligations, socializing, or being glued to a screen, we ignore the sun's rise and fall.  But most of us are unaware that a clock is ticking away inside us. 

It uses light to keep time and tells us when to sleep and eat. Should we listen? Or is this biological clock simply a relic from a past time?

In today’s episode, Jonathan speaks to a leading authority to unravel the latest science that reveals that this body clock, or circadian rhythm, has a dramatic impact on our health, weight, and mental wellbeing:

https://www.ndcn.ox.ac.uk/team/russell-foster (Russell Foster) is an Oxford University scientist who has dedicated his life to studying circadian rhythms. He’s a world leader in the field and the author of Lifetime: the new science of the body clock. 

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to http://joinzoe.com/podcast (joinZOE.com/podcast) and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Timecodes: 00:00 - Intro 00:12 - Topic introduction 01:23 - Quickfire questions 02:30 - What is the biggest myth about our body clock that drives Russell crazy? 03:19 - What are circadian rhythms? 06:41 - Why do they matter to us? 10:32 - How does your body sync its clock? 14:07 - How does the circadian rhythm influence sleep? 15:18 - What happens if we don’t live alongside our circadian rhythms? 21:26 - What should night workers do? 26:45 - Does your circadian rhythm change when going through menopause? 29:42 -Is there a circadian rhythm for our gut? 33:12 - Will it damage our long-term health to continuously be awake by our small children? 35:15 - Summary 36:14 - Goodbyes 36:36 - Outro

Episode transcripts are available https://joinzoe.com/learn/category/nutrition/podcast (here).

Get Russell’s book https://www.amazon.com/Life-Time-Science-Revolutionize-Health-ebook/dp/B092RVSK1C (here).

Follow Russell: https://twitter.com/oxscni (https://twitter.com/oxscni)

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ (https://www.instagram.com/zoe/)

This podcast was produced by https://fascinateproductions.co.uk/ (Fascinate Productions).

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Artificial sweeteners are everywhere. Not only in diet soft drinks but in many foods that you wouldn’t expect. You’ve probably eaten some today without realising. Sweeteners have been around for over a hundred years yet remain the subject of much debate. It's hard to know how they stack up next to the alternatives. In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Sarah ask: are artificial sweeteners worse than sugar? Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ (https://www.instagram.com/zoe/)

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to https://joinzoe.com/podcast (joinzoe.com/podcast) and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program. Studies referenced in the episode: Stevia Leaf to Stevia Sweetener: Exploring Its Science, Benefits, and Future Potential from The Journal of Nutrition https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/148/7/1186S/5049670?login=false (here) Chronic Intake of Commercial Sweeteners Induces Changes in Feeding Behavior and Signaling Pathways Related to the Control of Appetite in BALB/c Mice from Biomed Res Int  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5896338/ (here)

This podcast was produced by https://fascinateproductions.co.uk/ (Fascinate Productions).

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Kanchan Koya grew up in a house filled with wonderful fragrances from the spices simmering on her grandmother’s stove. In India, it was a common belief that spices were more than just pleasant tastes. Ancient wisdom said they had medicinal properties, and it was common for household medicine cabinets to store dried spices, not pills. Kanchan grew up to become a molecular biologist, studying in the US at Harvard Medical School. When her lab began to investigate turmeric’s healing properties, the ancient wisdom from her childhood met the scientific inquiry of her adult life - beginning a lifelong obsession with the health benefits of spice.    In today’s episode, Kanchan and regular guest Tim Spector help us understand whether there is any scientific evidence to support the health benefits of spices, the easiest way to add spice to our diet, and which ones to choose.

https://www.spicespicebaby.com/about/ (Kanchan Koya) is the founder of SpiceSpiceBaby and The Radical Vitality Podcast with a Ph.D. in Biomedicine from Harvard University and training from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. https://www.tim-spector.co.uk (Tim Spector) is a co-founder at ZOE and one of the top 100 most cited scientists in the world.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to http://joinzoe.com/podcast (joinZOE.com/podcast) and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Timecodes: 00:00 - Intro 00:10 - Topic introduction 01:19 - Quickfire questions 02:17 - What is a spice 04:23 - How did Kanchan’s passion for spices begin? 06:56 - What do we know about how spices affect our health? 12:16 - The latest science on spices 17:07 - Which spices are best? 24:46 - How to start using spices? 27:56 - Hacks to start using spices for the best health benefits possible 30:55 - Quality of spices  35:45 - Storage of spices 36:53 - Summary 37:53 - Goodbyes 38:47 - Outro

Episode transcripts are available https://joinzoe.com/learn/category/nutrition/podcast (here).

Read ZOE’s PREDICT Studies https://joinzoe.com/our-studies (here).

Know more about the 5 spices you should embrace https://www.spicespicebaby.com/5-spices-even-a-beginner-should-embrace-with-infographics/ (here).

Follow Kanchan: https://www.instagram.com/chiefspicemama/?hl=en (https://www.instagram.com/chiefspicemama)

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ (https://www.instagram.com/zoe/)

This podcast was produced by https://fascinateproductions.co.uk/ (Fascinate Productions).

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Vegan diets are increasingly popular. As more of us reduce our animal product consumption, countless new meat and dairy alternatives appear on our supermarket shelves. Manufacturers market these products as healthy options (unsurprisingly), but perhaps we shouldn’t be so quick to trust them…  In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Sarah ask: are meat and dairy alternatives healthier than their animal-based counterparts?

Follow ZOE on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ ( ) https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ (https://www.instagram.com/zoe/)   If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to http://joinzoe.com/podcast (joinzoe.com/podcast) and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program. Studies referenced in today's episode: How well do plant based alternatives fare nutritionally compared to cow’s milk? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5756203/ (here) Risks of ischaemic heart disease and stroke in meat eaters, fish eaters, and vegetarians over 18 years of follow-up https://www.bmj.com/content/366/bmj.l4897 (here)

This podcast was produced by https://fascinateproductions.co.uk/ (Fascinate Productions)

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We’ve all felt the effects of food on our mood, so it would stand to reason that dietary intervention for mental health would be well studied and a regularly deployed treatment.  But this is far from reality, as historically, psychiatry was only concerned with what happened from the neck up. In today’s episode, Jonathan is joined by https://foodandmoodcentre.com.au/team/felice-jacka/ (Felice Jacka), Professor of Nutritional Psychiatry and Director of the Food & Mood Centre at Deakin University. Felice was the driving force behind the landmark study to determine if dietary intervention could help treat the symptoms of moderate to severe depression.  With her help, we dive into what the science suggests regarding the relationship between food and our mental health and what foods we can eat to improve it.  If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to http://joinzoe.com/podcast (joinzoe.com/podcast) and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program. Timecodes: 00:00 - Intro 00:09 - Jonathan’s introduction 01:28 - Quick-fire questions 02:08 - What do we mean when we talk about 'mood'? 03:40 - Is it true that we're much more focused on mental health?  05:11 - How do we think about the relationship between our bodies and our mind today? 07:01 - Felice’s journey into psychiatry  08:24 - PHD looking into the relationship between diet and mental health 11:44 - The SMILEs Trial 13:22 - How much did diet affect the participants in the study? 15:40 - How long does it take to see results? 16:40 - What role does body weight have in this debate? 17:22 - How important is it that we focus on the quality of our diet over calories?  18:20 - What is the gut-brain axis and the microbiota gut-brain axis? 19:12 - Gut disorders and mental health issues closely related 21:25 - The effects of gut bacteria on the brain 21:58 - What is orthorexia and how is that linked to anxiety? 23:16 - Is there a risk with using diet to treat mental illness? 24:20 - What do healthy diets from across the world have in common? 25:52 - Foods to eat more of or less of to improve mood 27:24 - Diversity in diet 29:12 - Effects of diet on the menopause 32:10 - How does our mental health affect how we eat? 33:20 - What part does the industrialized food system have to play on a social level? 34:14 - How ultra-processed foods impact us 37:06 - Summary Episode transcripts are available https://joinzoe.com/learn/category/nutrition/podcast (here). Visit The Food and Mood Centre’s website for more information on Deakin University’s world-leading, multi-disciplinary research: https://foodandmoodcentre.com.au/ (https://foodandmoodcentre.com.au/)

Read Felice’s SMILEs Trail https://foodandmoodcentre.com.au/smiles-trial/ (here).

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ (https://www.instagram.com/zoe/)

This podcast was produced by https://fascinateproductions.co.uk/ (Fascinate Productions).

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A recent study claims that eating a hotdog reduces life expectancy by 38 minutes, and eating salmon could extend it by 70 minutes. At face value, this data implies you can eat your way to immortality. Taken with a pinch of salt, it suggests you can offset the harm from poor dietary choices. But does food really work this way? In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Sarah ask: can you reverse the effects of a bad diet?    Follow ZOE on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ ( https://www.instagram.com/zoe/)   If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.

This podcast was produced byhttps://fascinateproductions.co.uk/ ( Fascinate Productions)

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Biochemist Jessie Inchauspe heads into work one morning at a genetics lab in California. During the morning meeting, management offer staff the chance to self-test a new medical device. Jessie accepts.  She couldn’t have known this device would take her on a journey of discovery to reshape her health and help countless others do the same.   The device was a continuous blood sugar monitor, and it was this, combined with her academic background, and a remarkable willingness to use herself as a lab rat, that began a journey of discovery into how blood sugar affects our health.  In today’s episode, Jonathan is joined by two leading experts on the topic: https://www.glucosegoddess.com/ (Jessie Inchauspe) is a biochemist, bestselling author, and founder of the Glucose Goddess movement who’s helped hundreds of thousands of people improve their health by making cutting-edge science accessible. https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/sarah-berry (Dr. Sarah Berry) is one of the world's leading experts on human nutrition, who has personally run over 20 randomized clinical trials looking at how humans respond to different fats.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to http://joinzoe.com/podcast (joinZOE.com/podcast) and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program. Timecodes: 00:00 - Intro 00:10 - Topic introduction 01:28 - Quickfire questions 02:39 - What is blood sugar? 03:29 - Why do we have blood sugar? 05:25 - Blood sugar monitoring 07:30 - How does blood sugar affect our health? 09:12 - Do we want a flat blood sugar? 14:03 - Blood sugar responses and menopause 19:20 - Personalization in blood glucose responses 23:17 - Actionable advice to better control your blood sugar 23:55 - Food ordering 28:30 - Vinegar and blood sugar 34:15 - What foods should I eat to control blood glucose spikes? 37:39 - Blood glucose & exercise 40:02 - Summary 41:45 - Listener question 43:03 - Goodbyes 43:17 - Outro Episode transcripts are available https://joinzoe.com/learn/category/nutrition/podcast (here). Buy Jessie’s book https://amzn.to/3zlqeoy (here). Read ZOE’s PREDICT Studies https://joinzoe.com/our-studies (here). Follow Jessie: https://www.instagram.com/glucosegoddess (https://www.instagram.com/glucosegoddess) Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ (https://www.instagram.com/zoe/) This podcast was produced by https://fascinateproductions.co.uk/ (Fascinate Productions).

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If you're confused about the health effects of fats, you are not alone. You've probably read the headlines - fats are killing us! Then found claims they’re actually healthy in the same publication the following week. Saturated fats have been touted as the worst of all.  While there’s ambiguity around other fat sources, saturated fats are universally demonized. But are they really the super villain we've been led to believe?   Find out in this week’s episode.  Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ (https://www.instagram.com/zoe/) If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to https://joinzoe.com/podcast (joinzoe.com/podcast ) and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program. This podcast was produced by https://fascinateproductions.co.uk/ (Fascinate Productions).

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Keto has been promoted as a magic bullet for weight loss by its supporters and slammed as dangerous by its opponents. It's no surprise - completely removing almost all carbohydrates is not what most people consider ‘a balanced diet’. With carbs off the table, Keto diets involve a dramatically increased fat intake. At the same time, drastically reducing carbs means starving our gut microbes of the fiber that feeds them.  Nonetheless, doctors prescribe keto diets to treat people with severe diabetes and see dramatic improvements, and many healthy people swear by keto for weight loss. On top of this, removing carbohydrates prevents blood sugar spikes and crashes linked to inflammation and disease.  In today’s episode, Jonathan speaks to a leading nutritional researcher to understand whether or not keto diets are a crazy fad: https://profiles.stanford.edu/christopher-gardner (Christopher Gardner) is a professor at Stanford University and a member of ZOE’s scientific advisory board who’s produced a clinical trial of keto diets, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.

Timecodes: 00:00 - Intro 00:10 - Topic introduction 01:38 - Quick-fire questions 05:20 - What is a ketogenic diet? How does it work? 08:34 - Why have people become interested in keto? 10:16 - To promote ketosis, how low-carb should a diet be? 11:46 - Why are randomized trials so important? 14:37 - Christopher’s study 18:46 - What is a Mediterranean diet? 21:31 - Study results 25:33 - How sustainable is a keto diet? 31:22 - How strictly should you follow the keto diet? 32:47 - Diabetes and keto 35:36 - Keto’s impact on the microbiome 37:57 - Is there a long-term impact on the ability to process carbs? 39:51 - Summary 41:40 - Listener’s question 42:12 - Goodbyes 42:32 - Outro

Episode transcripts are available https://joinzoe.com/learn/category/nutrition/podcast (here).

Read Chris’ Study https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/advance-article/doi/10.1093/ajcn/nqac154/6596279 (here).

Follow Chris: https://twitter.com/GardnerPhD (https://twitter.com/GardnerPhD)

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ (https://www.instagram.com/zoe/)

This podcast was produced by https://fascinateproductions.co.uk/ (Fascinate Productions).

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The word ‘processed’ has become synonymous with being unhealthy. The mainstream media encourages us to detox from processed food or offers us ‘10 easy ways’ to stop eating it.  But nearly everything we consume has undergone some type of processing. In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Sarah ask: If most of what we eat is processed, can it really be that unhealthy for us? 

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ (https://www.instagram.com/zoe/)

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.

This podcast was produced by https://fascinateproductions.co.uk/ (Fascinate Productions).

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A mummified man found in the mountains of Italy on a nutrition science podcast? Have we gone completely off track?  We haven’t - we promise.  This unfortunate soul could be the key that unlocks an entirely new understanding of human health.  This mummy, discovered in an alpine snow drift by two hikers, gives us a remarkable glimpse into the surprising dietary choices of our ancestors. In today’s episode, Jonathan discovers some secrets held by our ancestors by speaking to two outstanding guests: https://www.eurac.edu/en/people/frank-maixner (Frank Maixner) works at the Institute for Mummy Studies in Italy and travels the world uncovering the secrets of our ancestors. https://www.tim-spector.co.uk (Tim Spector) is a co-founder at ZOE and one of the top 100 most cited scientists in the world.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program. Timecodes: 00:00 - Intro 00:10 - Topic Introduction 01:45 - What happened thirty years ago high in the mounts on the border between Italy and Austria 03:02 - Who was the Iceman? 03:39 - What happened to him and what did we discover about him? 05:10 - How old was he and what do we know about his lifestyle? 06:01 - What was he eating? 09:02 - What’s surprising about his health? 11:56 - The Iceman & mushrooms 13:08 - Iceman’s microbiome 14:13 - The most surprising information about the Iceman’s microbiome 15:27 - What’s microbiome diversity? 17:30 - Iceman’s origins 17:56 - The start of a new academic discipline 19:41 - Finding out about salt miners 21:02 - What did these salt miners eat? 23:05 - How plant-based was their diet? 23:39 - Did they eat dairy? 25:05 - Their diet diversity 26:40 - What do their microbiomes tell us? 32:31 - What does this mean for us? What is the actionable advice? 36:24 - Summary 38:16 - Goodbyes 38:40 - Outro Episode transcripts are available https://joinzoe.com/learn/category/nutrition/podcast (here). Follow Frank: https://twitter.com/frankmaixner (https://twitter.com/frankmaixner) Follow Tim: http://www.instagram.com/tim.spector/ (www.instagram.com/tim.spector/) Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ (https://www.instagram.com/zoe/) This podcast was produced by https://fascinateproductions.co.uk/ (Fascinate Productions).

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We’re excited for you to hear our NEW bitesize podcast: ZOE Shorts. Some of you requested some short-form episodes, so we delivered! In between the longer episodes, Jonathan teams up with world-leading nutrition researcher and podcast regular Dr Sarah Berry to tackle one hot topic from nutrition science in just 15 minutes. From saturated fats to vitamins, time-restricted eating and much more, find out the history, the different sides of the argument and, of course, hear what the latest science says from ZOE Science and Nutrition. Think of this podcast as a convenient, healthy snack: easy to consume but keeping you full throughout the day with bitesize nutrition advice and entertainment! Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program. This podcast was produced by https://fascinateproductions.co.uk/ (Fascinate Productions).

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From blueberries to salmon, kale to acai, it seems like anything and everything can be classed as a superfood these days. Supposedly they can prevent cancer, reduce inflammation, and even help you live longer… In today’s short episode of ZOE Science and Nutrition, Jonathan and Sarah look at the history of superfoods and ask: are some foods really more ‘super’ than others? Or is this just another marketing ploy? Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program. This podcast was produced by https://fascinateproductions.co.uk/ (Fascinate Productions).  

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It’s a biological process that we need to stay alive. Yet too much of it leads to disease and a shorter life.  Inflammation is the immune system’s response to an outside event it thinks is dangerous. This stimulus could be an injury, like falling off your bike or an infection by a virus or bacteria. But inflammation can also be triggered by our food in the hours after we eat.  But if this natural process is required to protect us from infections and injuries, why is inflammation usually cast in a negative light? Is there something behind this, or is the idea that inflammation is bad a lie, designed to sell magic potions with dubious evidence?  In today’s episode, Jonathan speaks to two show regulars to unravel all the information about inflammation: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/sarah-berry (Dr. Sarah Berry) is one of the world's leading experts on human nutrition, who has personally run over 20 randomized clinical trials looking at how humans respond to different fats. https://www.tim-spector.co.uk (Tim Spector) is a co-founder at ZOE and one of the top 100 most cited scientists in the world.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program. Timecodes: 00:00 - Intro 00:09 - Topic Introduction 02:30 - Quickfire questions 04:27 - What is inflammation, why does it happen, and why it’s not always bad 10:38 - How is diet related to inflammation? 14:15 - Microbiome and inflammation 19:31 - What does prolonged inflammation do to your health? 23:06 - Can inflammation affect our weight? 25:24 - How does inflammation affect aging and menopause? 29:21 - How do we reduce our dietary inflammation? 33:26 - Should we exclude foods to reduce inflammation? 37:06 - Summary 38:49 - Goodbyes 38:52 - Outro Episode transcripts are available https://joinzoe.com/learn/category/nutrition/podcast (here). Follow Sarah: https://twitter.com/saraheeberry (https://twitter.com/saraheeberry) Follow Tim: https://twitter.com/timspector (https://twitter.com/timspector) Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ (https://www.instagram.com/zoe/) This podcast was produced by https://fascinateproductions.co.uk/ (Fascinate Productions)

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It’s no exaggeration to say that bread shaped modern humanity - it was the cultivation of wheat for flour that transformed our ancestors from hunter-gatherers to city dwellers.  Today, millions of us start the day with a slice of toast, and most lunches in the US and UK are wrapped in a slice of bread or a burger bun as a cheap, flexible, and delicious energy source. But modern industrial processes designed to reduce the time and cost of baking mean today’s bread would be unrecognizable to our ancestors.   Today’s bread tastes good but has lost most of its nutritional content. With most of its fiber gone, and no time for bacteria to work its fermenting magic, bread has become a simple starch, rapidly turned into sugar in our blood and offering little to support our gut bacteria. For this reason, bread is increasingly demonized as an evil carb. In today’s episode, Jonathan speaks to two authorities on the subject to ask: Can bread can ever be healthy? https://www.sourdough.co.uk (Vanessa Kimbe)l is an author, founder of the sourdough school, and a specialist in bread nutrition and digestibility. https://www.tim-spector.co.uk (Tim Spector) is a co-founder at ZOE and one of the top 100 most cited scientists in the world.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program. Timecodes: 00:00 - Intro 00:09 - Topic introduction 02:14 - Quickfire questions 04:08 - Why bread matters 05:23 - Is bread empty calories? 08:46 - What is bread? 11:30 - What is bran? 12:16 - The difference between the types of grains 14:19 - What is the impact of bread on our microbes? 17:03 - What should you look for in bread? 18:50 - What sort of bread should you look for? 20:10 - Supermarket bread is not fresh! 20:42 - On gluten intolerance 23:11 - How should we think about sourdough? 32:29 - How to know whether sourdough is real or fake? 35:47 - Practical advice on how to choose bread 38:54 - Summary 40:43 - Goodbyes 40:55 - Outro Episode transcripts are available https://joinzoe.com/learn/category/nutrition/podcast (here). Follow Vanessa: https://www.instagram.com/vanessakimbell/ (https://www.instagram.com/vanessakimbell/) Follow Tim: https://twitter.com/timspector (https://twitter.com/timspector) Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ (https://www.instagram.com/zoe/) This podcast was produced by https://fascinateproductions.co.uk/ (Fascinate Productions).

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Coffee’s earliest consumption dates back millennia when the tribesmen of Ethiopia used its ground-up berries to help aid concentration during prayer.  Arriving in Europe in the 17th century, Coffee quickly began to replace beer and wine as a favourite breakfast drink.  In the 20th century, coffee was blamed for high blood pressure and heart attacks, and more recently linked to a rising epidemic of poor sleep.  None of this has prevented coffee’s relentless rise. Over 2 billion cups of the stuff are drunk each day.  So, is coffee a guilty treat as many of us suspect? Or is it a health drink feeding your good gut bacteria?  In this episode, Jonathan speaks with James Hoffmann and Tim Spector to find out. They discuss how coffee affects your gut bacteria, your hormones and your heart, whether decaffeinated coffee is healthy, and discover some of coffee’s most surprising side effects – which could come in handy if you find yourself in the jungle. https://www.jameshoffmann.co.uk (James Hoffmann) is a  leading coffee expert and author of the World Atlas of Coffee and  co-founder & chairman of the Square Mile Coffee Roasters. https://www.tim-spector.co.uk (Tim Spector)  is a co-founder at ZOE and one of the top 100 most cited scientists in the world.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program. Timecodes: 00:00 - Intro 00:11 - Topic introduction  01:54 - Quickfire questions 03:30 - What is coffee and why are we willing to spend money on it? 04:51 - Views on coffee 08:07 - Health properties of coffee 10:24 - How is coffee made? 14:32 - Quantities of caffeine in beverages  16:12 - How important is fermentation for coffee flavor? 17:20 - What does the fermentation stage look like? 19:51 - Fiber & coffee 24:00 - Effects of coffee 24:54 - How much is too much coffee? 26:39 - What time is the best to drink coffee? 30:32 - What is decaf and is it safe? 34:03 - Does James drink decaf? 34:44 - Is decaf as healthy as caffeinated coffee? 36:01 - Does coffee quality matter? 37:00 - James' coffee preference 38:15 - Health side effects of coffee 40:25 - Is it healthy to mix coffee with milk? 42:48 - James' opinion on coffee with milk 44:31 - Summary 46:39 - Instagram question: Does coffee dehydrate you?  47:00 - Goodbyes 47:17 - Outro Episode transcripts are available https://joinzoe.com/learn/category/nutrition/podcast (here). Follow James: https://www.instagram.com/jimseven/ (https://www.instagram.com/jimseven/) Follow Tim: https://twitter.com/timspector (https://twitter.com/timspector) Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ (https://www.instagram.com/zoe/) This podcast was produced by https://fascinateproductions.co.uk/ (Fascinate Productions)

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You may have heard there are bugs in your gut. But do they matter?  Today, the evidence shows the answer is a resounding yes. This ecosystem of tiny microbes living in our bodies is one of the most exciting areas in medical research, linked to everything from metabolic to mental health. So while many of us have heard that gut health is essential, few of us understand why and what we should do to support our gut bacteria. In this episode, Jonathan speaks with Will Bulsiewicz to find out when our microbiome begins to form, the most effective ways to support our gut health, and the role these gut bacteria play in controlling our weight. https://theplantfedgut.com (Will Bulsiewicz) is a board-certified gastroenterologist, and New York Times bestselling author of the microbiome book Fiber Fueled.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program. Timecodes: 00:00 - Intro 00:11 - Topic introduction 01:29 - Quickfire questions  02:55 - What is the microbiome? 08:51 - The role of the microbiome? 11:52 - The microbiome as an organ? 17:01 - Why does the microbiome matter? 21:01 - How does the microbiome affect our metabolism and weight? 24:12 - Do we have a microbiome before we are born? How does it develop? 32:44 - What can you do to improve your gut health? 35:55 - Analyzing the microbiome to know more about your relationships  39:24 - 3 health tips to improve our microbiomes  41:42 - Summary 44:40 - Outro Episode transcripts are available https://joinzoe.com/learn/category/nutrition/podcast (here). Follow Will: https://www.instagram.com/theguthealthmd/ (https://www.instagram.com/theguthealthmd/) Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ (https://www.instagram.com/zoe/) This podcast was produced by https://fascinateproductions.co.uk/ (Fascinate Productions).

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Today we’re talking about fat, a delicious component of our food with a terrible reputation.   Fats have been broadly associated with weight gain and heart disease until recently. A mountain of new scientific evidence suggests this is wrong and that it's not as simple as ‘all fat is bad’. Indeed, eating more healthy fat might actually reduce heart disease for many people.   In today’s episode, Jonathan speaks to Dr Sarah Berry to learn about what science tells us today, whether it is possible to lose weight on a high-fat diet, what oils we should be cooking with, and the different types of fats. https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/sarah-berry (Dr. Sarah Berry) is one of the world's leading experts on human nutrition, who has personally run over 20 randomised clinical trials looking at how humans respond to different fats.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program. Timecodes: 00:00 - Intro 02:50 - Episode Start 03:08 - Quickfire round 04:54 - Can fat ever be healthy? 08:53 - Is it possible to put on weight if you’re on a low-fat diet? 10:50 - Food accessibility & bioaccessibility 13:22 - Understanding the caloric data of fats 19:25 - Fats’ relationship with cholesterol 23:40 - Food labels aren't necessarily helpful 27:45 - What are the best oils to cook with? 33:04 - Are there any dangers of cooking with oil? 37:43 - Are eggs safe? 38:56 - Is fish good for you? 42:26 - Summary 45:59 - Goodbyes  46:28 - Outro Episode transcripts are available https://joinzoe.com/learn/category/nutrition/podcast (here). Follow Sarah: https://twitter.com/saraheeberry (https://twitter.com/saraheeberry) Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ (https://www.instagram.com/zoe/) This podcast was produced by https://fascinateproductions.co.uk/ (Fascinate Productions).

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Our transformation into coach potatoes happened in the blink of an eye. Only 100 years ago, most people relied on manual work to make their living.  Today, things are different. Many of us live our lives in front of a screen. Online shopping and remote work mean some of us don’t need to leave the house at all. So how bad is this for us?  The answer is now clear: Low levels of physical activity lead to an increased risk of disease and a lower quality of life in older age. However, when we come to the question of what sort of exercise you should be doing, how often, and how much it contributes to weight loss, the answers might surprise you. In today’s episode, Jonathan speaks to a Human Physiologist to learn about the interactions between diet and exercise and their impact on human health: https://researchportal.bath.ac.uk/en/persons/javier-gonzalez (Dr. Javier Gonzalez) is an associate professor of Human Physiology at the University of Bath and also a technical advisor to the athletes in the INEOS Tour de France cycling team.

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program. Timecodes: 00:00 - Intro 02:00 - Episode start: quickfire round 03:45 - Why does exercise matter? 04:42 - How much exercise do you need to see health benefits?  05:40 - Defining exercise 08:16 - How much walking to do to see health benefits? 09:03 - What is cardio training & strength training? 10:41 - Differences between cardio and strength training 12:18 - Importance of strength training 15:28 - Is exercise or nutrition more important for weight loss? 18:03 - Dr. Javier’s research on fasting & exercise 22:16 - Should we exercise in a fasted state? 25:26 - Fasting and bone health 26:35 - What can we learn from professional athletes? 28:03 - How does glycogen get produced? 31:55 - How does exercise relate to gut health? 33:09 - What we should eat to benefit from exercise 35:40 - How to think about protein intake 37:26 - How should non-athletes think about food to complement their exercise 40:51 - Personalization & differences between men & women 43:57 - How important is exercising for menopausal women? 45:56 - Summary 51:42 - Goodbyes 51:53 - Outro Episode transcripts are available https://joinzoe.com/learn/category/nutrition/podcast (here). Follow Javier: https://twitter.com/gonzalez_jt (https://twitter.com/gonzalez_jt) Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ (https://www.instagram.com/zoe/) This podcast was produced by https://fascinateproductions.co.uk/ (Fascinate Productions).

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There's a condition that leads to an increased risk of heart disease, dementia, and early death that's been affecting people for as long as they've existed. The many symptoms can severely impact quality of life - ranging from headaches and memory problems to anxiety and weight gain.  This condition affects more than half of the world's population, but unbelievably its rarely discussed and the scientific research that exists on it is limited.  It's called menopause, and it affects 1.2 billion women worldwide. It's not a disease, but the effects can be just as serious for some women. Jonathan talks to the British doctor who's working to educate us about menopause and bring the discussion on the topic into the mainstream. Dr https://www.newsonhealth.co.uk/staff/dr-louise-newson/ (Louise Newson) is a GP, menopause specialist and founder of the Newson Health Menopause & Wellbeing Center. Director of the Balance Menopause App and the non-profit Newson Health Research and Education. Founder of The Menopause Charity. If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program. Timecodes: 00:00 - Intro 00:09 - Jonathan Intro 01:11 - Episode start 01:24 - What is menopause and why is it important for Dr Louise 04:17 - Being hormone-deficient is bleak 07:27 - The overall scale of menopause 12:41 - What is HRT? 17:24 - How little menopause is talked about 19:30 - Dr Louise’s push for menopause understanding & education 23:02 -What’s the accurate test for perimenopause? 28:10 - Understanding hormone deficiency symptoms 31:58 - What else can you do besides HRT: Nutrition considerations 41:09 - Does your body shape change while menopausal? 41:55 - Summary 44:06 - Goodbyes 44:31 - Outro Episode transcripts can be found https://joinzoe.com/learn/category/nutrition/podcast (here). Dr Louise’s non-profit organisation about improving and understanding women’s hormone health: https://www.nhmenopausesociety.org (https://www.nhmenopausesociety.org) Check Dr Louise’s app on perimenopause and menopause: https://www.balance-menopause.com (https://www.balance-menopause.com) Follow Louise: https://twitter.com/drlouisenewson (https://twitter.com/drlouisenewson) Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ (https://www.instagram.com/zoe/) This podcast was produced by https://fascinateproductions.co.uk/ (Fascinate Productions).

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For many of us, it's a ritual to help us wind down after a long day, an excuse to catch up with friends, or a lubricant to an awkward social situation. Alcohol can be delicious, but our relationship with it is often complicated.  Good times with friends aren’t without sacrifice, and many of us feel the morning after impact of a few too many drinks. For an unfortunate minority, alcohol can lead to addiction and even death.  What we want to know is, can alcohol ever be healthy? Is any amount of alcohol a sure path to an early grave, or could a glass of red wine be the best thing for your heart health? This episode examines these contradictions to see what the science says.  Jonathan speaks to two leading scientists to better understand the effects of alcohol: https://www.tim-spector.co.uk (Tim Spector) - scientific co-founder at Zoe and one of the top 100 most cited scientists in the world https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/sarah-berry (Dr. Sarah Berry) - one of the world's leading experts in human nutrition, with over 30 randomised human clinical trials to her name

If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program. Timecodes: 00:00 - Intro 00:10 - Jonathan’s introduction 01:25 - Episode start 01:45 - Tim’s favourite alcohol 02:24 - Is red wine healthy? 04:56 - How does alcohol relate to our microbiomes? 08:41 - What’s the cause of alcohol's positive effects? 11:16 - The importance of the amount of alcohol consumed 15:47 - Understanding the adverse effects of alcohol 17:48 - Why do hangovers get worse with age? 21:41 - Does alcohol influence weight? 24:48 - Alcoholic beers vs non-alcoholic beers in relation to sugar 28:34 - Avoid alcohol if you have these conditions! 29:54 - How does fermentation of beer differ from kombucha? 32:21 - Organic and natural wine 35:10 - Summary 38:03 - Outro Follow Sarah: https://twitter.com/saraheeberry (https://twitter.com/saraheeberry) Follow Tim: https://twitter.com/timspector (https://twitter.com/timspector) Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ (https://www.instagram.com/zoe/) This podcast was produced by https://fascinateproductions.co.uk/ (Fascinate Productions).

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This plant has been used by human beings for thousands of years with samples found in 5000-year-old pottery discovered in the upper Amazon. The Mayans considered it a gift from the gods and used it in their sacred ceremonies, where it was believed to have mystical healing powers. For the Aztecs, it was worth more than gold and given to their victorious warriors.  We are talking, of course, about chocolate. Even though our relationship with chocolate spans thousands of years we still can’t agree about it. It seems obvious that something so delicious must be bad for us. Can there be any truth to the claims that chocolate can improve our mood, our health and even our libido?  Jonathan speaks to Professor https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/professor-tim-spector (Tim Spector), one of the world's top 100 most cited scientists and author of the diet myth, and https://cocoarunners.com/author/spencer-admin/ (Spencer Hyman), one of the world’s leading chocolate experts and founder of the craft chocolate business Cocoa Runners.  If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program. Timecodes: 00:00 - Intro 00:10 - Jonathan’s introduction 01:19 - Lighting round questions, with true/false answers 05:49 - Why certain chocolates might be good 06:34 - What is fermentation?  09:54 - Which kinds of chocolates are good or bad for you? 12:14 - How to figure out the differences in chocolates  14:12 - Why is are chocolates classified the way they are 16:20  - Considerations about dark chocolate 20:38 - Personalized responses to chocolate 23:39 - On chocolate addiction 24:55 - How to taste chocolate 28:10 - Is smell an indicator as to what happens in our microbiomes? 31:52 - 3 things you should know when buying chocolate 33:17 - Description of chocolate in nature 37:15 - Sugar in chocolate 40:29 - Is fruit and nut milk chocolate healthier than dark chocolate? 41:27 - How much chocolate do you need for it to be beneficial? 42:59 - Should I watch out for lecithins in chocolate? 44:52 - Is eating half a bar of chocolate before bed a bad idea? 46:24 - Goodbyes & Outro Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ (https://www.instagram.com/zoe/) This podcast was produced by https://fascinateproductions.co.uk/ (Fascinate Productions).

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1 in 5 people suffer from food intolerances, a figure that’s growing each year. As a result, people are eating increasingly restricted diets, removing dairy, gluten and many other foods from their plates. Unfortunately, they end up eating highly processed foods that damage their gut microbiome and lead to long-term health problems. Even with food restrictions, many people see limited improvements in their symptoms. The whole topic of intolerance is full of pseudoscience, dubious blood tests, and miracle cures. However, in the last few years, we have seen a revolution in our understanding, with gut bacteria now the stars of the show. This new understanding has profound implications for how we should treat our food intolerances.  Today we’ll focus on what the latest science says. Jonathan is joined by to https://theplantfedgut.com/about/ (Will Bulsiewicz), board-certified gastroenterologist, New York Times best-selling author and ZOE's science board member, whose latest book is all about food intolerance. If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to http://joinzoe.com/podcast (joinzoe.com/podcast) and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program. Timecodes: 00:00 - Intro 00:09 - Jonathan’s introduction 01:29 - Quick-fire questions 03:43 - What are food allergies and intolerances? 10:33 - The rise of food allergies and intolerances  14:38 - Training your microbes 17:13 - How do I know if I have a food intolerance?  19:37 - The difficulty of managing your diet and reintroducing foods 21:26 - Can you fix these food intolerances? 23:01 - The counter-intuitive approach to improving allergies and intolerances 24:54 - What can parents do to prevent allergies in their children? 25:39 - How do FODMAPs relate to the step by step exposure concept? 26:26 - What is a FODMAP?  27:34 - FODMAP examples 27:59 - FODMAP intolerance considerations 29:43 -  Celiac disease tests 30:36 - Can FODMAPs tolerance be increased? 31:40 - What is histamine intolerance and what can you do about it? 40:15 - Summary 44:22 - Goodbyes 44:34 - Outro Read Will Bulsiewicz’s cookbook, “Fiber Fueled: The Plant-Based Gut Health Program for Losing Weight, Restoring Your Health, and Optimizing Your Microbiome” in all major bookstores. Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ (https://www.instagram.com/zoe/) This podcast was produced by https://fascinateproductions.co.uk/ (Fascinate Productions).

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Welcome to the brand-new podcast from ZOE, the people behind the world's largest scale nutrition study. ZOE Science & Nutrition is the podcast where the world’s top scientists explain the latest health, nutrition, and gut health research in terms we can all understand. So join us every other Thursday on this journey of scientific discovery! Scientists featured in this trailer: Will Bulsiewicz & Tim Spector OBE. Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/