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ZOE
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.
5 years after COVID, what did we learn? | Dr. Tim Spector
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30+
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
Follow ZOE on Instagram.
Timecodes
00:00 What did we learn from COVID?
01:44 Quickfire questions
04:22 ZOE's response to the pandemic
10:10 5 crucial days
14:06 How new symptoms were discovered
23:40 Did the virus come from a lab?
28:00 Were face masks worth it?
29:02 The data on lockdowns
36:01 The economic costs
37:50 Effectiveness of vaccines
40:04 Side effects of vaccines
46:10 Is there a cure for Long COVID
48:39 The role of food choices
51:24 How to fight off infections
52:30 The risks of junk food
📚Books by our ZOE Scientists
The Food For Life Cookbook
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Free resources from ZOE
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - For a Healthier Microbiome in Weeks
Mentioned in today's episode
The WHO estimates of excess mortality associated with the COVID-19 pandemic (2022), published in Nature
Long COVID: major findings, mechanisms and recommendations (2023), published in Nature Reviews Microbiology
The role of COVID-19 vaccines in preventing post-COVID-19 thromboembolic and cardiovascular complications
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Episode transcripts are available here.
01:01:3721/11/2024
Recap: How to stop the rise of heart disease | Peter Attia
The heart is at the centre of everything within our bodies, constantly pumping oxygen and nutrients throughout our tissues and organs. We all know if our heart fails, we’re in trouble. However, we only tend to start thinking about the health of our heart when we encounter a problem.
So how do we prevent a problem from occurring?
Dr. Peter Attia joins us to explain how making changes to our lifestyle today can help us take control of our heart health tomorrow.
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member a zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily30+
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
The Food For Life Cookbook by Prof. Tim Spector
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Listen to the full episode on Apple or Spotify
09:2919/11/2024
8 foods that soothe anxiety | Dr. Uma Naidoo
1 in 3 people have anxiety. It’s the most common mental health disorder in the world. And many of us know what anxiety feels like: palms sweating before a job interview, losing your appetite before a looming deadline, a pit in your stomach when you get bad news. It’s not just in your head, it’s in your gut.
Today, we’ll learn how food could help us cope. Our guest explains the rising global trend toward increased anxiety: its rise through the pandemic, and explosion among young people.
Dr. Uma Naidoo is on the forefront of nutritional psychiatry. She directs the first hospital-based Nutritional Psychiatry Service in the US, at Massachusetts General Hospital and teaches at Harvard Medical School.
Uma will help you understand the symptoms and biology of anxiety, painting a picture of the risks it poses for long-term health. And her diet tips will help you fuel your gut for a healthy mind.
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30+
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
Follow ZOE on Instagram.
Timecodes:
00:00 Change your diet to beat anxiety
01:23 Quickfire questions
02:52 What is anxiety?
05:58 Are humans more anxious now than in the past?
08:50 This is where anxiety occurs in the brain
11:29 The gut-brain connection
12:45 Serotonin: the happiness hormone
20:05 How gut bacteria impact the brain
21:20 What happens 2 hours after stress?
23:10 Foods that disrupt dopamine pathways
24:50 Is food addiction real?
30:35 How chronic stress affects hunger
34:00 The importance of feeding good gut microbes
41:00 Eat more of these vegetables
45:02 How to overcome diet anxiety
49:20 How to use Uma’s ‘Calm’ approach
53:13 The anti-anxiety plate
Find Uma's Cauliflower Tikka Massala recipe here
Get Uma's latest book 'Calm Your Mind With Food'
📚Books by our ZOE Scientists
The Food For Life Cookbook
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Free resources from ZOE
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - For a Healthier Microbiome in Weeks
Mentioned in today's episode
Eat to Beat Stress (2020), published in American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine
Effect of fecal microbiota transplant on symptoms of psychiatric disorders: a systematic review (2020), published in BMC Psychiatry
A review of dietary and microbial connections to depression, anxiety, and stress (2018), published in Nutritional Neuroscience
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Episode transcripts are available here.
01:03:1514/11/2024
Recap: Diet changes that could reduce bad cholesterol | Dr Sarah Berry
Today we’re discussing how the food we eat can lower cholesterol.
It’s an important question, as high cholesterol can increase our chances of developing heart disease. Around half of adults have high cholesterol, and it gets more common as you age.
So, how can we break this trend?
Today’s guest, Professor Sarah Berry has led more than 30 human studies on cardio-metabolic health. It’s safe to say she knows a thing or two about heart health and cholesterol.
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member a zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily30+
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
The Food For Life Cookbook by Prof. Tim Spector
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Listen to the full episode on Apple or Spotify
09:5212/11/2024
Eat your way to better gynecological health | Dr. Jennifer Ashton & Prof. Sarah Berry
A good gynecologist is like a detective. She gathers evidence to diagnose infections. She uncovers the truth behind stages like puberty, pregnancy and perimenopause. Yet many women still feel that their physiology is a mystery.
What if a clue to that mystery hides in our diet? Similar to the gut, certain foods make the vaginal microbiome thrive. New research suggests that the right diet could alleviate symptoms of the most common gynecological diseases.
Dr Jennifer Ashton is former Chief Medical Correspondent at ABC News and is a double-board certified OBGYN. She joins us today to discuss ‘nutritional gynecology’, a term she coined after realizing multiple women’s health issues have a direct relationship to nutrition.
Alongside Jen is King’s College London professor and ZOE’s Chief Scientist Sarah Berry. Sarah shines light on the growing evidence of the role of nutrition in offsetting uncomfortable, and sometimes dangerous, symptoms of menopause.
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30+
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
Follow ZOE on Instagram.
Timecodes:
00:00 What you eat matters
02:00 Quickfire questions
04:05 What gets treated in gynecology?
07:19 What is the vaginal microbiome?
11:30 This affects the vaginal microbiome
13:46 The new field of nutritional gynecology
15:57 Does estrogen affect appetite?
17:19 The gut bacteria that breaks down estrogen
21:22 How food impacts puberty
23:21 Do glucose spikes affect pregnancy?
28:35 Symptoms of PCOS
33:00 Dr Jen explains endometriosis
37:20 Does diet affect these conditions?
42:00 How to test diet changes on yourself
📚Books by our ZOE Scientists
The Food For Life Cookbook
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - For a Healthier Microbiome in Weeks
Studies relevant to this episode
Diet and Nutrition in Gynecological Disorders: A Focus on Clinical Studies (2021, published in Nutrients
Effects of caloric intake timing on insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism in lean women with polycystic ovary syndrome (2013), published in Clinical Science
Weight Regulation in Menopause (2022), published in Menopause
Menopause, the gut microbiome, and weight gain: correlation or causation? (2020), published in Menopause
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Episode transcripts are available here.
57:3907/11/2024
Recap: How much protein do you need? | Prof. Christopher Gardner
Did you know you can now buy ice cream with added protein? Even breakfast cereals are jumping on the trend, boasting an extra protein punch.
In nearly every supermarket aisle, you'll spot the catchy slogan "high in protein" plastered across packaging.
But why is that? Are we not getting enough protein already, or are these high-protein products giving us too much?
Our guest is Christopher Gardner, a professor at Stanford University and a member of ZOE’s scientific advisory board, who has published widely on the relationship between protein and our health.
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member a zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily30+
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
The Food For Life Cookbook by Prof. Tim Spector
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Listen to the full episode on Apple or Spotify
10:0205/11/2024
4 immunity tips for healthy ageing | Dr. Jenna Macciochi
Over the last two years, there’s been a rise in “immune-boosting” foods, supplements and trends. Today's guest, immunologist Dr. Jenna Macciochi, believes the immune system doesn’t need boosting. Instead, it should be balanced.
In this episode, Jenna - a Senior Lecturer in Immunology at the University of Sussex - reveals how your immune system is your body’s housekeeper. Jenna highlights the case for the ‘good bugs’ in our gut microbiome, the role of micronutrients and how our immune system isn’t born, but made.
We'll also tackle the age-old question: do we really need Vitamin C supplements?
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30+
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
Follow ZOE on Instagram
Timecodes:
01:21 Quickfire questions
04:51 What is the immune system?
06:49 How your immune system works
09:35 What are natural killer cells?
14:18 Is your immune system inherited?
16:42 The impact of sleep and stress
19:53 Cancer and immunotherapy
28:23 This can trigger inflammation
30:25 Are vitamin C supplements worth it?
31:30 Foods to empower your immune system
40:10 How inflammation affects your brain
44:10 New science of the impact of stress
48:52 Immunity and your body clock
📚 Get Jenna's book Your Blueprint for Strong Immunity
📚 Books by our ZOE Scientists:
The Food For Life Cookbook
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Mentioned in today’s episode:
“Immune Boosting” in the time of COVID: selling immunity on Instagram (2020), published in Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology
Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold (2013), published in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Effects of stress on immune function: the good, the bad, and the beautiful (2014), published in Journal of Immunology Research
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Episode transcripts are available here.
01:02:0831/10/2024
Recap: What time of day are your muscles strongest? | Prof. Karyn Esser
Today we’re discussing why muscle strength is so important to our health.
Our guest tells us how it's possible to harness the power of your muscles to enhance your quality of life. Professor Karyn Esser is from the Department of Physiology and Aging at the University of Florida.
We kick off with a surprising quirk of human anatomy. Did you know that there’s one time of day when we’re all at our strongest?
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member a zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily30+
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
The Food For Life Cookbook by Prof. Tim Spector
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Listen to the full episode on Apple or Spotify
15:3829/10/2024
Kids and junk food: simple ways to break the habit with Rhiannon Lambert & Dr. Federica Amati
As adults, food shopping can be a minefield. But when it comes to feeding your kids, the stakes are even higher. Our food environment is rife with misinformation. Brightly coloured labels on packaged, often ultra-processed foods promise high protein, high fibre and low calories. The additives, emulsifiers and mountains of added sugar are hidden in the small print.
So how can parents navigate this confusing landscape? Today, we hear from two of the UK’s most-trusted nutritionists (and both parents of small children) on how to keep your kids eating well.
Rhiannon Lambert has authored four books, including recent Sunday Times bestseller The Science of Plant-Based Nutrition. Half a million people follow her for nutrition advice on Instagram. ZOE’s Head Nutritionist, Imperial College London lecturer and bestselling author of Every Body Should Know This, Dr. Federica Amati, joins Rhiannon for today’s conversation.
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30+
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
Follow ZOE on Instagram.
Timecodes:
00:00 Food shopping is a struggle
01:53 Quickfire questions
04:10 What’s the problem with children’s food?
10:05 Why more kids are at the dentist than ever before
12:32 Can you trust food labels?
19:35 How to improve your child’s lunchbox
23:55 Stress-free ways to keep your kids healthy
25:48 Healthy kids food on a budget
29:05 Make your home a healthy food environment
36:23 Healthy breakfast ideas for kids
39:52 Should you give your kids cereal?
Rhiannon's latest books:
The Science of Plant-based Nutrition
The Science of Nutrition
Books from our ZOE Scientists:
The Food For Life Cookbook
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Mentioned in today’s episode:
Bite Back 2030 Report 'Are food giants rigging the system against child health?'
ZOE’s famous pancake recipe
Our episode on emulsifiers with Dr Federica Amati | Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Episode transcripts are available here.
58:2024/10/2024
Recap: Tips to build better food habits | James Clear
Today we're discussing how to build a healthy habit. Making changes to our lifestyle can be hard. Our behaviours are often hardwired, ingrained into a regular routine that is reluctant to budge. So, what can we do to make a new habit stick?
Author of Atomic Habits James Clear is here to tackle this question. He has four simple steps that will significantly increase your chance of success.
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member a zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily30+
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
The Food For Life Cookbook by Prof. Tim Spector
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Free ZOE resources to try:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Listen to the full episode on Apple or Spotify
12:4522/10/2024
Menopause ruins sleep and sex - here’s how to fix it | Dr. Kameelah Phillips and Prof. Sarah Berry
Menopause can disrupt sleep, emotions, and intimacy. Yet much of this remains taboo. Whilst every woman will go through menopause, these highly personal questions are hard to confront. Questions like: Does lack of sleep lead to problematic weight gain? And why does intimacy feel so hard to rekindle?
In this episode, Dr. Kameelah Phillips joins us to bring clarity and compassion to these sensitive questions. She debunks the biggest myths around sleep, intimacy and emotional wellbeing in menopause. Her energy and positivity will empower you to thrive in this stage of life. Kameelah is joined by ZOE’S Chief Scientist Professor Sarah Berry who shares details of ZOE’s groundbreaking new menopause research.
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30+
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
Follow ZOE on Instagram.
Timecodes:
00:00 The silent consequences of menopause
01:40 Quickfire questions
04:06 When does menopause start?
05:08 What causes hormonal chaos?
10:20 Biggest menopause myths
12:30 ZOE’s new menopause research
19:52 Does menopause lower libido?
24:16 Sex myths in menopause
25:14 Does testosterone increase libido?
29:15 How menopause affects sleep
38:59 Does exercise impact sleep and sex?
42:08 Weight loss during menopause
43:19 Does HRT affect sleep and intimacy?
Books by our ZOE Scientists:
The Food For Life Cookbook
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Mentioned in today's episode:
Menopause Is a Key Factor Influencing Postprandial Metabolism, Metabolic Health and Lifestyle: The ZOE PREDICT Study (2022), published in Current Developments in Nutrition
Diet may counteract menopause metabolism change, ZOE study shows (2024), published by ZOE
Menopause weight gain and why you should stop dieting (2024), published by ZOE
Spotlight on the Gut Microbiome in Menopause: Current Insights (2022), published in International Journal of Women’s Health
Sleep disturbances may contribute to weight gain in menopause (2021), published by Endocrine Society
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Episode transcripts are available here.
01:05:0317/10/2024
Do vitamin D supplements work? | Prof. Tim Spector and Dr. Federica Amati
Vitamin D is the world’s favorite supplement. Governments around the world recommend people take the supplement for at least six months out of the year. But do we really need these pills? Do they even work? And could they actually be harming us?
In this episode, two ZOE scientists - Professor Tim Spector and Dr Federica Amati reveal the truth about vitamin D.
Tim is scientific co-founder of ZOE and professor of epidemiology at King’s College London. Federica is head nutritionist at ZOE and author of the Sunday Times bestseller ‘Every Body Should Know This’.
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member a zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30+
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
Follow ZOE on Instagram.
Timecodes:
00:00 The sunshine vitamin
01:50 Quickfire questions
04:05 What is vitamin D?
07:12 Is sunlight the best source of vitamin D?
09:40 Does vitamin D keep my bones strong?
15:34 Are vitamin D levels a marker of good health?
20:00 What counts as normal levels of vitamin D?
24:42 Supplement controversy
29:10 Do calcium supplements help bones?
31:29 Can I take too much vitamin D?
37:50 Could vitamin D prevent these health conditions?
42:54 Tim’s sunscreen controversy
46:46 Vitamin D and immunity
Books by our ZOE Scientists:
The Food For Life Cookbook
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Mentioned in today’s episode:
The VITAL Trial - Principal results of the VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL (VITAL) and updated meta-analyses of relevant vitamin D trials (2020), published in The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Cut-points for associations between vitamin D status and multiple musculoskeletal outcomes in middle-aged women (2016), published in Osteoporosis International
Assessment of the genetic and clinical determinants of fracture risk: genome wide association and mendelian randomisation study (2018), published in British Medical Journal
Other ZOE Science & Nutrition episodes to try:
What to eat to avoid osteoporosis with Prof. Tim Spector & Prof. Cyrus Cooper | Listen on Apple or Spotify
Mushrooms as medicine: Uncovering the health secrets of fungi | Listen on Apple or Spotify
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Episode transcripts are available here.
01:02:1610/10/2024
Recap: Mushroom nutrients and health benefits | Professor Tim Spector & Merlin Sheldrake
Today we’re discussing mushrooms. Neither animal nor plant, mushrooms are entirely unique. Their novel chemistry provides us with powerful - and often surprising - health benefits.
So, how can we take advantage of this mushroom magic?
Tim Spector and fungi expert Merlin Sheldrake explain how and why you should invite more mushrooms into your diet.
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com for 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily30+
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks
MenoScale Calculator - learn about your symptoms
📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Listen to the full episode here
10:0008/10/2024
The truth about protein shakes, according to science | Dr Federica Amati
Protein-rich diets have been popular for some time. Everything from chocolate bars to ice cream promises to be ‘high protein’. Influencers and media outlets seem to rave about the weight loss and muscle building potential of eating a lot of protein.
But when it’s added as an extra ingredient - sometimes with emulsifiers and sugar - is it really helping our muscles grow?
Today, ZOE's Head Nutritionist Dr. Federica Amati reveals the truth about protein bars and shakes, cutting through the marketing noise to find out how useful these products really are.
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30+
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
Follow ZOE on Instagram.
Timecodes
00:00 Are protein shakes worth it?
01:30 What is protein?
02:59 The liver's surprising role
03:32 Why do we need protein?
05:01 You probably don’t need more protein
07:30 Can I get enough protein from plants?
09:15 The protein supplement explosion
11:20 Are protein bars ultra processed?
15:30 Does extra protein promote weight loss?
17:33 Should I drink protein shakes?
Books by our ZOE Scientists
The Food For Life Cookbook
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Mentioned in today's episode
Dietary protein: an essential nutrient for bone health (2005), published in Journal of the American College of Nutrition
Amino acids and immune function (2007), published in British Journal of Nutrition
A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression of the effect of protein supplementation on resistance training-induced gains in muscle mass and strength in healthy adults (2017), published in British Journal of Sports Medicine
Is It Time to Reconsider the U.S. Recommendations for Dietary Protein and Amino Acid Intake? (2023), published in Nutrients
The hidden dangers of protein powders (2022), published by Harvard Medical School, Staying Healthy blog
Gut microbiota role in dietary protein metabolism and health-related outcomes: The two sides of the coin (2016), published by Trends in Food Science and Technology
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Episode transcripts are available here.
25:1103/10/2024
Recap: The truth about ultra processed food | Dr. Chris van Tulleken and Tim Spector
Today we’re discussing ultra processed food.
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are everywhere. Many of us eat them over and over again without really understanding the detrimental impact they’re having on our health.
But why are these foods so addictive?
Here to help us identify the ultra-processed parts of our diet are Professor Tim Spector and Dr. Chris van Tulleken.
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com for 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily30+
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks
MenoScale Calculator - learn about your symptoms
📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Listen to the full episode here
14:4801/10/2024
Simple ways to improve gut health | Dr. Karan Rajan
Your body has two brains. And your second brain is your gut. Many think the “gut” is only the stomach - but it’s a network of organs, working together to regulate many different areas of health. When almost half of us suffer with gastrointestinal issues, learning how these organs interact is vital to improving symptoms.
On this episode, we’re joined by Dr Karan Rajan. When Karan’s not teaching his 10 million social media followers about common medical myths, he’s an NHS surgeon, operating on people’s bowels. Karan will reveal how our GI issues impact way more than just our poo.
Today, we explore how the gut and brain are connected, the lifestyle factors causing gut health issues and why it’s so hard for doctors to understand IBS.
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30+
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
Follow ZOE on Instagram.
Timecodes:
00:00 Your second brain is in your gut
01:39 Quickfire questions
03:50 Why your gut is more than your stomach
05:41 Why is digestion so important?
08:23 How your nervous system impacts gut health
12:17 Common ways we irritate our gut microbiome
17:11 Antibiotics and gut health
23:30 Why gut health starts at birth
27:25 The mystery of IBS
30:19 IBS vs IBD
35:07 Why is bowel cancer on the rise?
37:19 How to keep your gut happy
41:32 Do probiotic supplements work?
45:48 Why fermented foods are so powerful
48:01 Can good gut health improve mental health?
49:30 How often should you go to the toilet?
54:50 Should we hold in farts?
Get Karan's book 'This Book Could Save Your Life' here
Mentioned in this episode:
Worldwide Prevalence and Burden of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, Results of Rome Foundation Global Study (2021), published in Gasteroenterology
IBS Facts and Statistics, published by International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders
Epidemiological analysis reveals a surge in inflammatory bowel disease among children and adolescents: A global, regional, and national perspective from 1990 to 2019 – insights from the China study (2023, published by Journal of Global Health
Other ZOE Science & Nutrition episodes you might like:
Why are young people getting colon cancer?
Why one in ten children have a food allergy
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Episode transcripts are available here.
01:04:4926/09/2024
Recap: Is honey really better than sugar? | Dr. Sarah Berry
Today, we’re discussing sugar. It's well known that too much sugar is bad news. But for those of us with a sweet tooth, could swapping in natural sugar alternatives like honey be a healthier way to satisfy our cravings?
Or are we jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire?
Professor Sarah Berry is here to explain the science of sugar.
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com for 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily30+
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks
MenoScale Calculator - learn about your symptoms
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Listen to the full episode here
10:2824/09/2024
Which chocolate is the healthiest? | Spencer Hyman and Prof. Sarah Berry
Humans have been in love with chocolate for thousands of years. But not all chocolate is created equal, both in terms of health and taste. In this episode, chocolate expert Spencer Hyman and Professor Sarah Berry will take us on a trip into cacao. They’ll teach us what distinguishes good chocolate from bad chocolate and how we can beat our impulse to binge.
Spencer breaks down how to produce craft chocolate. In six steps he will show us how we get from bean to bar. Sarah shares research into the health benefits of chocolate with a focus on fibre, flavanols and theobromine. They will also look at the controversy around the association between chocolate and heart health.
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com for 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30+
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
Follow ZOE on Instagram.
Timecodes:
00:00 Can chocolate be healthy?
01:32 Quickfire questions
03:37 From cacao bean to chocolate bar
05:30 What is cocoa butter?
08:03 Healthy chemicals in chocolate
09:19 Is chocolate healthier than other treats?
14:16 Why chocolate melts in your mouth
16:20 Chocolate and cholesterol
23:30 Why savouring flavour improves health
23:25 Can we trust the chocolate industry?
33:00 Is mainstream chocolate healthy?
40:30 The unhealthiest ingredient in chocolate
43:45 Craft chocolate tasting session
44:45 How to make your chocolate last longer
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Episode transcripts are available here.
01:03:5519/09/2024
Recap: How to heal your gut health after taking antibiotics | Prof. Tim Spector
Today, we’re discussing Antibiotics. These incredible medicines target bacterial infections and save countless lives, but they don’t discriminate - killing off our good bacteria and impacting our gut health too.
Some experts suggest probiotics as a solution. But do they really help? And can fermented foods be the answer to reversing the damage to your gut microbiome?
Professor Tim Spector and Dr Will Bulsiewicz are here to help you understand what to do to boost your gut health after taking antibiotics.
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com for 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily30+
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks
MenoScale Calculator - learn about your symptoms
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Listen to the full episode here
16:2617/09/2024
Seed oils are not ‘evil’ - they could lower your risk of disease | Prof. Sarah Berry
The internet is panicking that seed oils cause inflammation and disease. Yet, they're everywhere. Canola, sunflower, safflower oil - these are all seed oils.
So why is there so much fear? And are any of the accusations true?
In this episode, we unpack the science of seed oils. With Professor Sarah Berry's expertise, we simplify what seed oils are, what the latest science says and why countless videos online say they’re toxic.
Sarah Berry is a professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at King's College London and Chief Scientist at ZOE. She reveals the surprising truth about seed oils and tips to navigate a world full of them.
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com for 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily30+
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
Follow ZOE on Instagram.
Timecodes
00:00 Seed oils are in everything
02:07 Quickfire questions
03:29 What is seed oil?
05:31 Are seed oils full of chemicals?
10:41 Why are seed oils everywhere?
12:46 3 types of fat you should understand
19:32 Are seed oils toxic?
24:03 Is omega 6 dangerous?
26:57 These fats reduce disease risk
29:24 Key seed oil science
37:15 Are seed oils unnatural?
44:57 Seed oil vs palm oil
49:50 Is it safe to cook with seed oil?
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
Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks
MenoScale Calculator - learn about your symptoms
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Episode transcripts are available here.
01:07:2012/09/2024
Recap: How much coffee is bad for your health? | Prof. Tim Spector and James Hoffmann
Today, we’re discussing the health benefits and potential harms of the world’s most popular drink - Coffee.
We drink 2 billion cups of the stuff every day. But how much coffee is bad for your health?
Coffee expert James Hoffmann and leading scientist Prof. Tim Spector are here to help us understand.
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com for 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily30+
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks
MenoScale Calculator - learn about your symptoms
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Listen to the full episode here
11:0910/09/2024
Davina McCall: Make this choice every day to reduce menopause symptoms
Half of the world’s population will go through menopause. Yet research shows that a large proportion of women do not feel informed and equipped for menopause. In this episode, we reveal the results of a brand new study that highlight the impact of diet on menopause symptoms.
Davina McCall is a British household name and much-loved TV presenter on a mission to change this. Her 2022 book Menopausing provided a roadmap for women to be fearless in tackling this stage of life. She has her own very personal menopause story and today, she shares it with us.
Together with ZOE’s Chief Scientist, Prof. Sarah Berry, we’re having an honest and open conversation about perimenopause and menopause.
🤲 MenoScale Calculator - Track your menopause symptoms with our free tool 👉 zoe.com/menoscale
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com for 10% off with code PODCAST
Follow ZOE on Instagram here.
Timecodes
00:00 Every woman goes through this
02:20 Quickfire questions
04:25 Davina’s menopause experience
14:16 What happens during menopause
15:20 The impact of estrogen decline
17:40 How long does perimenopause last?
18:30 Is there a blood test for menopause?
24:20 What menopause symptoms are most common?
32:35 Does everyone get symptoms?
35:54 Does menopause increase disease risk?
39:15 Should you consider HRT?
45:30 Davina’s life changing experience
47:40 ZOE’s new study on diet and menopause
52:33 Can ZOE membership improve menopause symptoms?
54:26 Can supplements improve menopause symptoms?
56:21 Gut microbiome health in perimenopause
58:26 Davina’s tips for exercise in menopause
Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks
MenoScale Calculator - learn about your symptoms
Mentioned in this episode:
Menopause is associated with postprandial metabolism, metabolic health and lifestyle: The ZOE PREDICT study (2022), published in eBioMedicine
Sex and Menopausal Status Modulate the Impact of Meal Timing on Postprandial Glucose: Data From the ZOE PREDICT 1 Study (2024), published in Current Developments in Nutrition
Management of menopause: a view towards prevention (2022), published in The Lancet: Diabetes and Endocrinology
Menopause: a cardiometabolic transition (2022), published in The Lancet: Diabetes and Endocrinology
Treating menopause — MHT and beyond (2022), published in Nature
The Menopause Transition: Signs, Symptoms, and Management Options (2020), published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Episode transcripts are available here.
01:11:3105/09/2024
Recap: How to pick the right bread for your health | Prof. Tim Spector and Vanessa Kimbell
Bread has been a staple of our diet for literally thousands of years.
Around the world, millions of us start the day with a slice of toast, enjoy a sandwich for lunch, or tuck into a burger bun for dinner.
But all bread is not baked equal. Professor Tim Spector and Vanessa Kimbell are here to help you choose the right type for your health.
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com for 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily30+
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks
MenoScale Calculator - learn about your symptoms
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Listen to the full episode here
15:1203/09/2024
How to eat 30 plants this week | Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Prof. Tim Spector
Thirty plants this week, think you could do it? It might sound a lot, but it’s easier than you think. Fruit, veg, nuts, seeds, even coffee all count as plants.
Legendary chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall joins us to share tips on eating more plants. Hugh’s new book ‘How to Eat 30 Plants a Week’ explores the wild world of legumes, grains, herbs and beyond. He explains that getting your thirty plants each week can be simple, fun and delicious.
Joining Hugh is Tim Spector - professor of genetic epidemiology at King’s College London and ZOE’s scientific co-founder. Tim explains why our gut microbiome loves plants, highlighting the importance of polyphenols, healthy fats and fiber.
You’ll finish this episode inspired, empowered and likely... hungry.
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com for 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
Follow ZOE on Instagram.
Timecodes
00:00 Thirty plants every week?
01:57 Quickfire questions
05:04 What happens when we digest plants?
08:43 Why are plants so different?
11:28 Why eating the rainbow is important
18:42 Why 30 plants?
22:13 How much fiber should you eat a day?
25:53 The science that proves the power of plants
32:00 How to get more plants in your diet
34:45 How to get more plants on-the-go
38:36 Plant-based cooking made simple
46:45 Are dried and frozen plants just as nutritious?
47:51 How does cooking affect plants
48:56 What to do with your leftovers
49:44 Do mushrooms count as plants?
51:06 How important is organic food?
55:40 Hugh’s showstopper dish
57:16 Surprise taste-test from Hugh’s garden
Books
Hugh’s book How To Eat 30 Plants a Week
Tim’s book Food For Life
Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks
MenoScale Calculator - learn about your symptoms
Mentioned in today's episode
American Gut: an Open Platform for Citizen Science Microbiome Research (2018), published in mSystems from American Society of Microbiology
Could you eat 30 plant-based foods a week? (2021), published by World Cancer Research Fund
Adults Meeting Fruit and Vegetable Intake Recommendations — United States (2019), published by Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
Why 5 A Day? (2022), published by NHS
Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption to reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases (2023), published by WHO
Fruit and vegetable consumption and incident breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies (2021) published by British Journal of Cancer
Consumption of Plant Seeds and Cardiovascular Health: Epidemiological and Clinical Trial Evidence (2013), published by Circulation
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Episode transcripts are available here.
01:09:0229/08/2024
Blood sugar hacks to give you more energy | Glucose Goddess Jessie Inchauspé and Prof. Tim Spector
Why do some people feel fine eating lots of carbs when others feel energy slumps? Is blood sugar to blame?
In this episode, we learn why blood sugar varies so much between people, and the tools to manage these levels.
Tim Spector and Jessie Inchauspé (aka the Glucose Goddess) will discuss the latest science around glucose control, what the cool new device on the block – the CGM – can tell us and why blood sugar levels are only one part of the picture of our health.
Jessie is a bestselling author and science communicator with a community of over 5 million followers. Tim is a professor of epidemiology at King’s College London and ZOE’s scientific co-founder.
🥑 Learn how your body responds to food 👉 zoe.com/podcast for 10% off
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
Follow ZOE on Instagram.
Timecodes:
00:00 Introduction
01:14 Quickfire questions
02:39 What is glucose?
07:50 What are blood sugar spikes?
09:15 Are lots of spikes dangerous?
10:45 What happens when your blood sugar spikes?
14:03 Should I worry about blood sugar levels?
15:11 HbA1c and fasting glucose explained
19:30 What are CGMs?
23:24 How breakfast impacts the rest of your day
29:07 Eat these foods first
33:12 Can physical activity reduce spikes?
35:46 How gut microbiome and blood fat play a role
41:39 The risks of ultra-processed foods
Find more from Jessie at glucosegoddess.com
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
Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks
Studies relevant to this episode:
CGMap: Characterizing continuous glucose monitor data in thousands of non-diabetic individuals. (2023) published in Cell Metabolism.
Dose–response relationship between genetically proxied average blood glucose levels and incident coronary heart disease in individuals without diabetes mellitus. (2021) published in Diabetologia.
Optimised Glucose “Time in Range” Using Continuous Glucose Monitors in 4,805 Non-Diabetic Individuals Is Associated With Favourable Diet and Health: The ZOE PREDICT Studies. (2022). published in Current Developments in Nutrition.
Normal Fasting Plasma Glucose Levels and Type 2 Diabetes in Young Men (2005). published in NEJM
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Episode transcripts are available here.
53:2522/08/2024
Recap: Why nuts make you healthier | Professor Sarah Berry
Today we’re discussing Nuts. If you’ve heard that nuts are bad for you because they’re full of fat, then, you’re in for a surprise. Professor Sarah Berry has led large scale human studies to uncover how nuts affect our health. And she’s here to tell us the healthiest way to incorporate them into your diet.
She'll also tell us about a new discovery that’ll help when you’re reading the nutrition information on the back of a nut packet.
Learn how your body responds to food 👉 zoe.com/podcast for 10% off
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Listen to the full episode here
09:0220/08/2024
Why one in ten children have a food allergy | Dr. Gideon Lack
Allergies are on the rise in both infants and adults. Many are calling it an epidemic. Allergies can limit your diet, cause irritation, and in some cases be life threatening.
In today’s episode, we discuss the evidence suggesting that our gut plays a key role in protecting us from food allergies.
Professor Gideon Lack tells us how we can reduce the risk of allergies developing in children. Gideon also shares innovative ways to treat allergies and significantly reduce the risk of death.
Gideon is Professor of Paediatric Allergy at King’s College London. His groundbreaking studies into allergies have reversed the official medical advice of multiple countries.
🥑 Learn how your body responds to food 👉 zoe.com/podcast for 10% off
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
Follow ZOE on Instagram.
Timecodes
00:00 Allergies are on the rise
01:30 Quickfire questions
05:02 Allergies vs intolerances
06:48 Do allergies only develop in childhood?
11:18 Why allergic reactions happen
15:33 Hay fever and asthma
18:28 How to spot birch pollen allergy
19:58 Which allergies do children develop?
26:50 Gideon’s light bulb moment
32:16 Does eczema play a role?
36:36 The importance of the gut microbiome
45:08 How to protect your baby
50:05 Skin and allergies
54:06 Should nuts be banned on planes?
57:49 The truth about airborne allergens
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
Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks
Studies related to today’s episode:
Self-Reported Prevalence of Allergies in the USA and Impact on Skin—An Epidemiological Study on a Representative Sample of American Adults, published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Trends in Allergic Conditions Among Children: United States, 1997–2011, published by US National Center for Health Statistics
Early exposure hypothesis: where are we now? published in Clinical and Translational Allergy
Randomized Trial of Peanut Consumption in Infants at Risk for Peanut Allergy, published in New England Journal of Medicine
Randomized Trial of Introduction of Allergenic Foods in Breast-Fed Infants, published in New England Journal of Medicine
Birch Pollen Immunotherapy by Consumption of Apples, published by AppleCare Project, Interreg Italy Austria
Food allergy and the gut, published in Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Episode transcripts are available here
01:12:4215/08/2024
Recap: How to do intermittent fasting properly | Gin Stephens and Professor Tim Spector
Today we discuss intermittent fasting with Professor Tim Spector, and Gin Stephens, New York Times best selling author of Fast. Feast. Repeat.
As many of you long term listeners will know, ZOE ran the world’s largest ever study on intermittent fasting. We know a lot of you are interested in the potential benefits. I’m talking about improved blood sugar control, heart health, and mood.
But practically, how do you get started with fasting?
Learn how your body responds to food 👉 zoe.com/podcast for 10% off
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Listen to the full episode here
13:0213/08/2024
How to lower cholesterol in 10 days | Prof. Sarah Berry
Forty percent of people in the UK and US have high cholesterol. Knowing how to lower it can be confusing. In today’s episode, we simplify the science of cholesterol, drawing from ZOE’s 2021 PREDICT study, which explored its link to the gut microbiome.
Dr. Sarah Berry explains the differences between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ cholesterol, discusses how cholesterol can impact your health, and shares tips on maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.
Sarah is a professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at King's College London and Chief Scientist at ZOE. She is also the lead nutritional scientist on the PREDICT program.
🥑 Learn how your body responds to food 👉 zoe.com/podcast for 10% off
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
Follow ZOE on Instagram.
Timecodes
00:00 Introduction
01:40 Quickfire questions
04:01 What is cholesterol?
05:50 LDL vs HDL cholesterol
11:35 How diet affects cholesterol
13:55 Which fats should you increase?
16:00 Why do some people have high LDL levels?
18:40 The gut microbiome and cholesterol
20:37 What is ApoB?
24:00 Why don’t all doctors measure ApoB?
25:50 Why triglycerides matter to your health
29:30 Triglycerides and post-meal responses
30:45 Which foods can help lower cholesterol?
33:20 Saturated fat explained
35:30 How refined carbs affect cholesterol
39:50 Can you trust ‘low fat’ food labels?
41:15 The benefits of whole grain carbohydrates and fibre
45:03 Sarah’s personal view on statins
48:13 Cholesterol levels in postmenopausal women
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
Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks
Mentioned in today's episode
What are triglycerides and why do you need them
Does variation in serum LDL-cholesterol response to dietary fatty acids help explain the controversy over fat quality and cardiovascular disease risk? Atherosclerosis VOL 328
Determination of variability in serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol response to the replacement of dietary saturated fat with unsaturated fat, Proceedings of the Nutrition Society.
Dietary saturated fat and cholesterol: cracking the myths around eggs and cardiovascular disease, J Nutr Sci. 2023
The effects of probiotics on total cholesterol, Medicine (Baltimore)
Microbiome connections with host metabolism and habitual diet from 1,098 deeply phenotyped individuals (Zoe’s PREDICT study)
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Episode transcripts are available here.
58:4308/08/2024
Recap: How dairy impacts your health: according to the science | Prof. Tim Spector & Prof. Sarah Berry
There seem to be good arguments for and against eating dairy.
But how do we know what to listen to? Well at Zoe, we consult the latest research to draw our conclusions.
In this episode, our two resident professors join us to unpack what the science says about dairy and your health.
Learn how your body responds to food 👉 zoe.com/podcast for 10% off
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Listen to the full episode here
15:2806/08/2024
Olive oil: How to unlock health benefits | Prof. Tim Spector & Elizabeth Berger
Olive oil could transform your health. It regulates blood sugar, helps with weight management and prevents long-term disease. That is if it's the right kind of olive oil.
Distributor of the world’s finest olive oils, Elizabeth Berger, and Professor Tim Spector discuss its health benefits, debunk myths, and explain how storage and cooking can affect nutritional value.
In today's episode, we learn how to get the most from olive oil, why choosing the right olive oil is crucial and the significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits of this kitchen staple.
Elizabeth Berger is the founder of Frantoi, which works with growers and millers across Italy to harvest exceptional extra virgin olive oils. Tim Spector is a true olive oil evangelist, as well as one of the world’s top 100 most-cited scientists and ZOE's scientific co-founder.
Learn how your body responds to food 👉 zoe.com/podcast for 10% off
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
Follow ZOE on Instagram
Timecodes
00:00 Introduction
01:05 Quick fire questions
03:15 How is olive oil made?
04:25 The 4 grades of olive oil
11:20 Olive oil in Mediterranean diets
13:15 The science behind healthy olive oil
16:35 Why we need healthy fats
21:05 What are polyphenols?
23:06 Extra virgin vs regular olive oil
27:03 Is there food industry misinformation about olive oil?
25:55 The power of seasonal eating
26:50 The best time to buy olive oil
28:00 The biggest myths about olive oil
31:25 How to properly store olive oil
33:00 How long do the health benefits last?
39:10 Is it safe to cook with extra virgin olive oil?
42:55 Tasting session of 3 extra virgin oils
55:10 How to identify high-quality olive oil
57:30 Tips to get more olive oil in your diet
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
Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks
Mentioned in today's episode
Is Extra Virgin Olive Oil the Critical Ingredient Driving the Health Benefits of a Mediterranean Diet?, published in Nutrients 2023
Is There More to Olive Oil than Healthy Lipids?, published in Nutrients 15
Protective effects of oleic acid and polyphenols in extra virgin olive oil on cardiovascular diseases, published in Food Science and Human Wellness
Only virgin type of olive oil consumption reduces the risk of mortality, published in European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 77
Extra-virgin olive oil and the gut-brain axis: influence on gut microbiota, mucosal immunity, and cardiometabolic and cognitive health, published in Nutrition Reviews
What do polyphenols do, and where can I find them?, published by ZOE
What is fat, and how much do you need?, published by ZOE
Evaluation of Chemical and Physical Changes in Different Commercial Oils during Heating, published by Acta Scientific Nutritional Health
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Episode transcripts are available here.
01:11:4301/08/2024
Recap: What Prof. Tim Spector got wrong about Mushrooms and UPFs
While researching for his bestselling book, Food for Life, Tim dug deep into the new science around UPFs. We used to think they were unhealthy because of their high salt, fat and sugar levels. But there’s much more to the story.
Tim helps us navigate our UPF-filled grocery stores to eat healthier, and explains what he got wrong about a food group he'd previously overlooked... the humble mushroom.
Learn how your body responds to food with ZOE 👉 start here
📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Listen to the full episode here
12:1930/07/2024
Why are young people getting colon cancer? | Dr. Andy Chan
Rates of colorectal cancer have declined in people over 65 but doubled among people under 50 in the last few decades. By 2030 it’s expected to be the leading cancer-related death in this age group.
In today’s episode, gastrointestinal cancer and prevention specialist, Dr. Andy Chan, explains how changes in the gut microbiome could be to blame.
Dr. Chan discusses the critical role your diet plays in cancer risk, how your gut microbiome can influence the development of colon cancer and the steps you can take to lower your risk.
Dr. Andy Chan is a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Program Director for Gastroenterology training at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Learn how your body responds to food 👉 zoe.com/podcast for 10% off
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
Follow ZOE on Instagram.
Timecodes:
00:00 Introduction
04:00 What is colon cancer?
05:20 How does cancer develop?
08:50 How common is colon cancer?
11:00 Demographics and shifting trends
14:00 Leading cause of cancer death for men under 50
15:32 Why are cancer rates rising in younger people
17:10 The role of diet and obesity
19:40 Does alcohol have an impact?
21:10 What is metabolic health and why does it matter?
25:10 Gut health and colon cancer
27:50 Evidence from animal studies
33:43 Why overuse of antibiotics can be harmful
38:15 Screening recommendations and methods
44:40 Can changing your diet reduce risk?
49:50 Should we avoid red meat?
53:28 Does physical activity reduce risk?
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
Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks
Mentioned in today’s episode:
Influence of the Gut Microbiome, Diet, and Environment on Risk of Colorectal Cancer, from Gastroenterology
Reducing Risk for Colorectal Cancer, from Center for Disease Control & Prevention
Colorectal cancer statistics, 2017, from CA Cancer Journal
Association Between the Sulfur Microbial Diet and Risk of Colorectal Cancer, from Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Fusobacterium nucleatum and colorectal cancer: From phenomenon to mechanism, from Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Episode transcripts are available here.
01:05:4925/07/2024
Recap: Exercise and your blood sugar | Prof. Javier Gonzalez
Let's take control of our blood sugar. We’ll dive into a conversation with Professor of Human Physiology, Javier Gonzalez. He explains which exercises can reduce your blood sugar spikes and dips - which will have a positive impact on your long term health. And don’t worry, you don’t have to become an Olympic Weightlifter to do it.
Learn how your body responds to food with ZOE 👉 start here
📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Listen to the full episode here
14:5023/07/2024
Plant protein and strength: all you need to know | Simon Hill & Dr. Will Bulsiewicz
Did you know you can build muscle just as effectively with plant protein as with animal protein?
In this episode, nutritionist Simon Hill, and board-certified gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz, explain how our bodies use protein to build muscle and highlight the health benefits of plant proteins, such as reducing the risk of heart disease, type-2 diabetes, and hypertension.
In today’s episode, Simon and Will debunk common myths about protein and discuss the broader benefits of plant proteins, including improved gut health and reduced chronic disease risk.
Learn how your body responds to food 👉 zoe.com/podcast for 10% off
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
Follow ZOE on Instagram.
Timecodes
00:00 Introduction
06:20 What is protein?
08:01 Essential amino acids explained
09:30 The role of protein in building muscle
11:00 Why muscles matter
12:05 Optimising protein intake for health
14:30 Protein and healthy aging
15:48 Best sources of protein
21:35 Animal vs plant protein sources
28:35 How to achieve fitness goals with plant protein
33:45 Which plants have high levels of protein?
38:07 Is gut health linked to muscle mass?
40:35 How to introduce more plant-based foods into your meals
44:54 New Harvard study on protein intake and healthy ageing
47:55 How much protein is in eggs and dairy?
51:24 Concerns about ultra-processed foods
Books
Buy Simon's book The Proof Is In The Plants
Buy Will’s book Fiber Fueled
Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks
Mentioned in today's episode
Effects of Consuming Ounce-Equivalent Portions of Animal- vs. Plant-Based Protein Foods, published in Nutrients 2023
Improving the bioavailability of nutrients in plant foods at the household level, published in PNS
Pre- versus post-exercise protein intake has similar effects on muscular adaptations, published in Peer J
Vegan and Omnivorous High Protein Diets Support Comparable Daily Myofibrillar Protein Synthesis Rates and Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy in Young Adults, published in The Journal of Nutrition
A mycoprotein-based high-protein vegan diet supports equivalent daily myofibrillar protein synthesis rates compared with an isonitrogenous omnivorous diet in older adults: a randomised controlled trial, published in British Journal of Nutrition
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Episode transcripts are available here.
01:12:2318/07/2024
Recap: Improve blood vessel health to slow aging | Dr William Li
Today we’re finding out how to improve blood vessel health with New York Times best selling author, Dr. William Li.
Dr. Li has some simple steps we can take to not only slow down the deterioration of our blood vessels, but also to reduce any existing blockages that we may, or may not yet know about.
Learn how your body responds to food with ZOE 👉 start here
📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Listen to the full episode here
11:5612/07/2024
Hidden health risk? The truth about emulsifiers with Dr. Federica Amati
Emulsifiers are common in our diets, enhancing the texture, appearance and shelf life of many foods. But are they safe?
In today’s episode, Jonathan and Federica uncover the surprising truth about emulsifiers in our food. We learn the science behind emulsifiers, their impact on health, and the rising concerns over there extensive use in ultra-processed foods.
Dr Federica Amati is a King’s College London researcher and a registered nutritionist. She is also a 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.
Learn how your body responds to food 👉 zoe.com/podcast for 10% off
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
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Timecodes
00:00 Introduction
01:10 What are emulsifiers doing in our food?
02:15 How common are emulsifiers in our food?
02:52 What to look out for on packaging
03:55 What are emulsifiers made from?
04:36 How emulsifiers work
09:50 Are emulsifiers bad for us?
10:40 Emulsifiers and our gut health
11:50 New risks emerging from human studies
14:50 How to reduce emulsifiers in your diet
Buy Federica’s book: Every Body Should Know This
Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks
Mentioned in today’s episode:
Food additive emulsifiers: a review of their role in foods, Nutrition Reviews
Emulsifiers Impact Colonic Length in Mice and Emulsifier Restriction is Feasible in People with Crohn’s Disease, Nutrients 2020
Food Additive Emulsifiers and Their Impact on Gut Microbiome, Permeability, and Inflammation, Journal of Crohn's and Colitis
Bacterial Overgrowth and Inflammation of Small Intestine After Carboxymethylcellulose Ingestion in Genetically Susceptible Mice, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Episode transcripts are available here.
27:5811/07/2024
Recap: The top foods high in pesticides | Prof. Tim Spector
Today we’re talking about pesticides. More specifically, about the surprising levels of pesticides found in some common foods.
Professor Tim Spector is here to tell us how to avoid giving these to our families.
Learn how your body responds to food with ZOE 👉 start here
📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
- Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
- Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Mentioned in the episode:
Dirty Dozen and Clean 15
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Listen to the full episode here
10:3505/07/2024
Can NASA research help fight cancer? | Dr Jessica Scott
What do astronauts and cancer patients have in common?
Jonathan explores this fascinating connection with Dr. Jessica Scott, learning how six decades of NASA research is being used to help the recovery of cancer survivors. New research challenges the traditional notion that you should rest during cancer treatment. Instead, Jessica’s studies into exercise could hold the key to a long and healthy life post-diagnosis.
Dr Jessica Scott started her career at NASA where she spent 7 years designing exercise programs for astronauts in outer space. Now, as the principal investigator at the world-leading Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, she is using her unique skillset in the fight against cancer.
Learn how your body responds to food 👉 zoe.com/podcast for 10% off
Follow ZOE on Instagram.
Timecodes:
00:00 Introduction
01:32 Quickfire questions
03:10 Health challenges for astronauts
07:19 Impact of exercise on astronauts
10:43 NASA’s exercise program
14:28 Transition to cancer research
15:40 Exercise and cancer treatment
17:10 Side effects of cancer treatments
23:13 Studies on the benefit of exercising alongside cancer treatment
26:27 Tailoring exercise to the individual
28:10 Global perspectives on exercising alongside cancer treatment
29:47 Understanding different types of exercise
33:26 Implementing NASA's non-linear exercise training techniques
41:04 The next steps for Jessica’s research
42:45 Episode summary
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 related to today’s episode:
Cancer Survivorship Statistics from The National Cancer Institute https://cancercontrol.cancer.gov/ocs/statistics#stats
Multisystem Toxicity in Cancer: Lessons from NASA’s Countermeasures Program from The National Library of Medicine https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7380275/
A randomised trial comparing the effects of moderate versus moderate to high-intensity aerobic training in women with operable breast cancer from The National Library of Medicine https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2965727/
Effects of exercise countermeasures on multisystem function in long duration spaceflight astronauts from The National Library of Medicine https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9898566/
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Among Cancer Survivors: The Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities (ARIC) Study from The National Library of Medicine https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35772913/
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Episode transcripts are available here.
53:0304/07/2024
Obesity and the new science of weight loss | Dr. Louis J Aronne
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.
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
Learn how your body responds to food 👉 zoe.com/podcast for 10% off
Follow ZOE on Instagram.
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.
01:00:1527/06/2024
Fix your body clock to improve long term health with Prof. Satchin Panda
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.
Learn how your body responds to food 👉 zoe.com/podcast for 10% off
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
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
Follow ZOE on Instagram
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Episode transcripts are available here.
53:2420/06/2024
Remembering Michael Mosley: 4 habits that changed his life
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.
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to zoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your membership.
Follow ZOE on Instagram
Timecodes:
00:00 Tim Spector's tribute to Michael
01:01 Introduction
01:55 Quick Fire Questions
05:15 Are cold showers good for you?
06:48 How long do you need to be immersed in cold water for the benefits to work?
8:20 Can cold showers improve mental wellbeing?
11:30 Potential dangers of cold water swimming
12:45 Do cultural differences present different outcomes across the world?
13:58 Can these small stressors help us?
14:27 What is the theory behind this working?
16:15 Will this work for everyone or is this very personalized?
18:30 What effects does breathing have on your health?
19:55 How breathing exercises affect our brain
22:27 How do you keep up the breathing exercises?
23:27 ZOE app breathing exercise
25:40 Is there a difference between breathing through your nose and your mouth?
27:20 How important are plants and nature for our health?
30:25 Can exposure to nature improve things like mental health and even gut health?
32:00 Can herbs also help improve our health?
32:47 What are the benefits of exercise?
33:30 What are endo-cannibinoids?
34:41 Are preferences for exercise genetic?
36:12 Is it endorphins that make us feel good after / during exercise?
37:31 How exercise affects us is extremely personalized
39:42 How do we encourage people who don't enjoy exercise to do it?
41:13 Tips to improve your exercise routines
44:08 Are there benefits to walking downhill?
46:42 Summary
Michael Mosley’s book 'Just One Thing' is available to buy here
Episode transcripts are available here
52:0713/06/2024
Is plant-based meat healthy? What the research shows with Prof. Christopher Gardner
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.
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
Learn how your body responds to food 👉 zoe.com/podcast for 10% off
Follow ZOE on Instagram.
Timecodes:
00:00 Introduction
01:25 Quickfire questions
03:50 What is a meat alternative?
05:22 What's driving the trend for more alternatives?
07:47 Should you eat less red meat?
08:38 What is in meat alternatives?
10:22 Traditional meats vs meat alternatives
13:41 Are meat alternatives ultra-processed?
14:47 Latest scientific studies
23:56 What were the findings?
29:48 Is the quality of the protein as good as real meat?
34:00 Are meat alternatives healthy?
38:53 Are whole food based meat alternatives healthier?
40:05 What are the practical tips around meat alternatives?
43:21 How do ultra-processed foods come into this?
45:23 What are other ways people can transition away from red meat?
50:33 What 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.
01:02:3006/06/2024
Menstruation: Science, medicine and mythology
Periods are taboo! Despite the fact that half of the world’s population experience them. This taboo has led to countless myths around the topic. “The internet’s gynecologist” Dr. Jen Gunter is here to usher in a new era where people understand – and can advocate for – what they need as their body changes each cycle.
Jonathan is joined by Dr Sarah Berry and 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.
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
Learn how your body responds to food 👉 zoe.com/podcast for 10% off
Follow ZOE on Instagram.
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
📚 Dr. Jen Gunter’s books:
The Menopause Manifesto
Blood: The Science, Medicine, and Mythology of Menstruation
📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Recipes for a Better Menopause by Dr Federica Amati
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
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
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Episode transcripts are available here.
57:1030/05/2024
Why dementia could start in your blood vessels with Dr. William Li
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.
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, 👉 zoe.com/podcast, for 10% off your membership.
Follow ZOE on Instagram
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
📚 Dr. William Li’s books:
Eat to Beat Disease
Eat to Beat Your Diet
📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
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
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Episode transcripts are available here.
01:15:3323/05/2024
How inflammation could age you with Prof. Philip Calder
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.
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
Learn how your body responds to food 👉 zoe.com/podcast for 10% off
Follow ZOE on Instagram.
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
📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
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
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Episode transcripts are available here.
01:02:5716/05/2024
Your new menopause toolkit with Dr. Mary Claire Haver & Dr. Sarah Berry
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.
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
Learn how your body responds to food 👉 zoe.com/podcast for 10% off
Follow ZOE on Instagram.
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?
📚 Mary Claire's book
The New Menopause
📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
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
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Episode transcripts are available here.
01:10:2309/05/2024
The medicines hiding in your spice rack with Kanchan Koya & Dr. Sarah Berry
In today’s episode we’re uncovering the medicines hiding in your kitchen.
Molecular biologist Kanchan Koya joins Jonathan and Sarah 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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Timecodes:
00:00 Introduction
01:26 Quickfire questions
03:08 What are spices?
03:43 Polyphenols in spices
07:25 Spices and your 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 Simple spicy 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 in Trials
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 prediabetes published 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
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Episode transcripts are available here.
01:01:4602/05/2024
Foods for every decade of life with Dr. Federica Amati
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.
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
Learn how your body responds to food 👉 zoe.com/podcast for 10% off
Follow ZOE on Instagram
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
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Episode transcripts are available here.
01:13:0925/04/2024
What to eat to avoid osteoporosis
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST
Every 12 years, our skeletons undergo a complete transformation.
Prof. Tim Spector and Prof. Cyrus Cooper discuss how to avoid 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.
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily30+
*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system
Follow ZOE on Instagram.
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
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Episode transcripts are available here.
01:08:5818/04/2024