Is matcha the ultimate coffee alternative, or just another wellness fad? In this episode, Andrew Kojima - aka Chef Koj - an expert in Japanese cuisine, and Professor Tim Spector, a world-leading scientist in nutrition and gut health, explore whether matcha is truly a healthier choice than coffee. Chef Koj explains the rich history behind matcha, its role in Japanese culture, and why it has become a global wellness trend. Tim breaks down the latest science on matcha’s impact on metabolism, brain ...
Apr 10, 2025•54 min
Strength training is often associated with bodybuilding, but its benefits go far beyond muscle growth. Research shows that strength training supports cardiovascular health, enhances brain function, and is a strong predictor of longevity. In this episode, Professor Andy Galpin joins us to break down the science behind strength training and show how anyone can incorporate it into their daily routine—without spending hours in the gym. We begin by exploring why strength matters, not just for physica...
Apr 03, 2025•1 hr 12 min
Last year, a study found that a third of Americans aged between 50 and 80 feel lonely. I’m sure most of us can relate to this feeling, and understand how a lack of social connection can take a serious toll on our mental health. But, is loneliness affecting more than just our minds? Does it also impact our physical health and how well we age? In this episode, Professor Rose Anne Kenny joined me to answer these questions and discover ways that we can foster meaningful relationships. She starts by ...
Apr 01, 2025•17 min
Carbs are one of the most misunderstood aspects of nutrition. For decades, they’ve been praised, demonized, and debated. Today, low-carb diets are everywhere, but the reality is more nuanced. While over 80% of the carbs we eat come from low-quality, refined sources, the right kinds of carbs are essential for good health. In this episode, Professor Tim Spector breaks down the difference between good and bad carbs and explains why quality matters more than quantity. He explores how the rise of ult...
Mar 27, 2025•1 hr 7 min
In 2025, global spending on skincare products is expected to approach 200 billion dollars. It’s an astonishing figure, but not entirely surprising when you consider the social value we place on this organ. Our skin can reflect our age, health, and even our emotions. So, how can we make smarter choices this year and invest in products that truly support our skin? In this episode, I was joined by Sarah Berry alongside my wife, dermatologist Dr. Justine Kluk, to help us better understand this fasci...
Mar 25, 2025•14 min
Could optimizing your sleep significantly extend your lifespan? In this episode, we dive deep into the science of longevity with Bryan Johnson, the entrepreneur spending millions to reverse aging, and Professor Tim Spector, one of the world’s top 100 most-cited scientists and an expert in nutrition and the microbiome. Bryan has dedicated his life—and his body—to testing cutting-edge health interventions to slow down aging. His meticulous approach to sleep, diet, and exercise has sparked global d...
Mar 20, 2025•1 hr 7 min
Today we’re considering mindfulness. Improving your health often comes with certain sacrifices. You might need to sacrifice time to exercise or money for specialised equipment and food. But mindfulness is different. It doesn’t demand our time or cost money. Instead, it suggests we can enhance our health simply by changing the way we think. So, is it really possible to think our way to better health? And if so, where do we begin? In this episode, Harvard professor Ellen Langer joined me to delve ...
Mar 18, 2025•15 min
Staying fit isn’t just for athletes - it’s a lifelong commitment that evolves with age. But how do we maintain strength, resilience, and motivation through different life stages? In this episode, Gabby Reece, legendary volleyball player and fitness leader, shares how she has adapted her training over nearly 40 years. From her peak as a professional athlete to balancing fitness with motherhood and now prioritizing longevity at 54, Gabby reveals what has kept her consistent and injury-free. She’s ...
Mar 13, 2025•1 hr
Are meat alternatives healthy? It’s well known that many of us should reduce our red meat intake - and chances are, a lot of you already have. However, the craving for that meaty flavour - the desire to sink your teeth into a nice juicy burger can still linger. It’s no surprise then, that supermarket shelves are now stocked with a growing variety of fake meat products. However, are these meat alternatives actually any healthier? Stanford Professor Christopher Gardner joins us to discuss his rand...
Mar 11, 2025•15 min
Oatmeal has long been considered a heart-healthy breakfast, but is it really as good for us as we think? In this episode, Jonathan and Sarah break down the great oat debate. First, they explore the different types of oats - instant, rolled, and steel-cut and how processing impacts their nutritional value. Then, they put oats to the test using continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), comparing instant to steel-cut, with and without toppings, to demonstrate how blood sugar works. Sarah also discusses w...
Mar 06, 2025•58 min
Today we tackle menstruation. Despite affecting half the world’s population for a significant part of their lives, menstruation remains clouded by taboo. This lack of open conversation can leave women without the knowledge they need to address pain, discomfort, or irregularities associated with their period. So, what signs should raise concern when it comes to menstruation, and how can we manage symptoms effectively? Professor Sarah Berry and Dr. Jen Gunter join us to break the silence around me...
Mar 04, 2025•15 min
Arthritis affects millions worldwide. 1 in 5 adults in the U.S suffer with it and many people assume it’s an inevitable part of aging. Bu what if you could reduce joint pain and inflammation through diet and lifestyle? In this episode, Dr. Tamiko Katsumoto, Clinical Associate Professor at Stanford University, unpacks the science behind arthritis. She explains the key differences between osteoarthritis, caused by wear and tear on joints, and rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition where the...
Feb 27, 2025•1 hr 7 min
Today we’re diving into coffee. Most of us are greeted by its earthy aroma every single morning. It’s hot bitter taste signaling that the day has officially begun. Coffee is so ingrained into our daily routine we rarely pause to consider the effect of coffee on our health. So, what is coffee, a health-boosting elixir or just another guilty pleasure? Coffee expert James Hoffmann joins us to explore one of the world's most popular drinks. 🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member a zoe.com - 1...
Feb 25, 2025•12 min
We spend so much time focusing on how exercise changes our bodies - burning calories, building muscle, shedding fat. What if the most important transformation is happening where you can’t see it? Hidden inside your skull, your brain is changing with every step, squat, and sprint. Neuroscientist Dr. Wendy Suzuki has spent years uncovering how movement rewires the brain. As a professor at NYU and an expert in neuroplasticity, Wendy’s research reveals how aerobic exercise boosts memory, sharpens fo...
Feb 20, 2025•1 hr 9 min
Today we’re talking about intermittent fasting. This form of time-restricted eating has been gaining significant popularity, with many people reporting positive effects after incorporating it into their daily routines. However, here at ZOE, we want to know what the science says about intermittent fasting. Is it the real deal? Or just another fad? I’m joined by Tim Spector and Gin Stephens to break down what intermittent fasting is, how it affects our bodies, and whether the scientific evidence s...
Feb 18, 2025•15 min
Midlife is often seen as a point of no return for health, but it could be the perfect moment to make a radical change. New research suggests that your gut microbiome holds the key to aging well, protecting you from chronic disease, and even reversing some of the damage from years of poor diet and stress. Few people understand this better than Rich Roll, who went from an overweight, junk-food-addicted workaholic to one of the world’s fittest men - all after the age of 40. Now a plant-fuelled ultr...
Feb 13, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Today we’re discussing fat. It’s a word that carries a lot of weight. It’s a source of social judgment, a driver of insecurities and a tool exploited by companies in targeted marketing campaigns. It’s no surprise that a recent study found over 40% of people in the US have experienced some form of ‘fat-shaming’. But do we really understand fat? What it does, how it forms and why its distribution changes as we age. Prof. Sarah Berry and Prof. Deborah Clegg are here to help us answer some of these ...
Feb 11, 2025•12 min
Only 12% of American adults are considered metabolically healthy - meaning the vast majority are at increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and strokes. But what exactly is metabolism, and why does it matter so much for our health? In this episode, bestselling author and health expert Shawn Stevenson joins world-renowned scientist Professor Tim Spector to break down the science of metabolism. They’ll debunk the myth of “metabolic rate” and explain why it’s not just about how fast you burn cal...
Feb 06, 2025•59 min
Today we’re exploring what evolution can teach us about exercise. When it comes to doing exercise, there’s often a tug-of-war between our body and brain. Our body craves movement - it wants to be leaner, fitter, stronger. But our brain? Well, that’s a different story. It often dreads the thought of going on a run or lifting weights and will try and find any excuse to avoid doing it. So, why does this conflict exist, and more importantly, how can we overcome it? Harvard Professor of Biological Sc...
Feb 04, 2025•11 min
Dementia is one of the fastest-growing health crises in the developed world, with cases expected to double in the coming decades. But despite common misconceptions, cognitive decline isn’t inevitable. The latest research shows that lifestyle choices play a far greater role in brain health than genetics alone. In this episode, neurologists Drs. Ayesha and Dean Sherzai share practical, science-backed strategies to help you protect your brain and reduce your risk of dementia. As co-directors of the...
Jan 30, 2025•1 hr 6 min
Today, we’re putting the spotlight on our brains. As we age certain behaviours often become more noticeable - misplacing keys, struggling to recall names or forgetting why you walked into a room. Most of us have likely seen this happen to someone close to us and may have even seen these patterns develop into more serious conditions like dementia. But are these behaviours just an inevitable part of getting older? Or is there something we can do to prevent them? Dr William Li is here to outline th...
Jan 28, 2025•13 min
How old are you? A better question might be: how old do you feel? While your birthday says one thing, your biological age—the health of your cells—might tell a very different story. And here’s the best part: unlike your chronological age, your biological age can go down. But how? For years, fasting has been celebrated as a key to longevity. Yet the challenge of skipping meals is enough to make most of us shy away. What if you could trick your body into reaping the rewards of fasting—without star...
Jan 23, 2025•58 min
Today we’re discussing inflammation. We hear this word a lot from guests on the ZOE podcast. It’s always coming up when we ask questions about health conditions like Alzheimer's, cancer or heart disease. It’s clearly very important, however many of us still don’t fully understand what inflammation really is. Professor Phillip Calder is here to break down inflammation and share tips on what we should eat to keep it in check. Philip is Head of the School of Human Development and Health in the Facu...
Jan 21, 2025•15 min
Think weight loss is all about eating less and moving more? Think again. In this episode, Prof. Giles Yeo reveals why calorie counting isn’t just inaccurate—it could actually make weight management harder. He explains why the popular “calories in, calories out” method doesn’t add up and explores how factors like genetics, brain signals, and gut health play a major role in shaping our weight. Giles Yeo is a Professor of Molecular Neuroendocrinology at the University of Cambridge and Honorary Pres...
Jan 16, 2025•1 hr 4 min
A lot of things change as we age. Our dress sense, our taste in music and importantly our body. The truth is your body is not the same as it was 20 or even 10 years ago. So why should your diet be? Dr Federica Amati is here to explain why our nutrition needs change as we enter later life and how we can adjust our diet to support this. 🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member a zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST 🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily30+ 📚 Books from our ZO...
Jan 14, 2025•10 min
Belly fat is more than just stubborn weight – it plays a complex role in our health, interacting with the immune system and gut bacteria. But could gut microbes hold the key to understanding and managing belly fat? In this episode, Dr. Suzanne Devkota, Director of the Microbiome Research Institute at Cedars-Sinai, shares groundbreaking findings on how gut bacteria interact with belly fat. Tim Spector, professor of epidemiology and scientific co-founder at ZOE, also joins the conversation to expl...
Jan 09, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Many believe that dementia is inevitable, something solely determined by our DNA. But this isn’t the case. In reality, lifestyle choices play the most significant role in determining if we develop this disease. So, what changes can you make today to reduce your chance of getting dementia tomorrow? Dr. Claire Steves joins us to share simple steps that will protect your brain for years to come. 🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member a zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST 🌱 Try our new plant...
Jan 07, 2025•11 min
Forget crash diets this January. In this episode, we discuss simple, effective ways to eat well and truly enjoy food in 2025. Today, Prof. Tim Spector and Prof. Sarah Berry join us to share seven essential strategies to help you improve your health this year. Based on the latest science that’s come out over the last 365 days, they bust common food myths, highlight the importance of quality over quantity, and show how the joy of eating can go hand in hand with good health. 🥑 Make smarter food ch...
Jan 01, 2025•1 hr 12 min
In the second part of our 2024 recap, we take another look back at more of the best nuggets of wisdom from ZOE Science & Nutrition this year. In this jam-packed episode, we’ll hear how your second brain affects your mood, why fasting doesn’t actually have to be difficult, and how to prevent the disease you probably don’t know much about - but can lead to hospital time. As you consider your New Year’s Resolutions and new habits, this episode will ready you with some great ideas. Why not share wit...
Dec 26, 2024•49 min
Let’s take a look back at our best episodes of 2024. We had an incredible lineup of guests this year who shared a huge range of actionable tips on improving your nutrition and gut health. A lot of what we learned might surprise you. Like the beverage you’re probably drinking every day that we thought was bad for us? Turns out it can actually be super beneficial. Or that what counts as a plant is actually so much more than just fruit and veg. Not forgetting the topic we’ve shattered the taboo on ...
Dec 19, 2024•49 min
