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 m...
Nov 12, 2024•10 min
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...
Nov 07, 2024•58 min
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 publish...
Nov 05, 2024•10 min
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’...
Oct 31, 2024•1 hr 2 min
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 ...
Oct 29, 2024•16 min
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 parent...
Oct 24, 2024•58 min
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 bas...
Oct 22, 2024•13 min
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...
Oct 17, 2024•1 hr 5 min
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 autho...
Oct 10, 2024•1 hr 2 min
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+ *Nat...
Oct 08, 2024•10 min
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 marketin...
Oct 03, 2024•25 min
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 supplemen...
Oct 01, 2024•15 min
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 peo...
Sep 26, 2024•1 hr 5 min
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 h...
Sep 24, 2024•10 min
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...
Sep 19, 2024•1 hr 4 min
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 anti...
Sep 17, 2024•16 min
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 a...
Sep 12, 2024•1 hr 7 min
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...
Sep 10, 2024•11 min
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 pe...
Sep 05, 2024•1 hr 12 min
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 h...
Sep 03, 2024•15 min
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 epid...
Aug 29, 2024•1 hr 9 min
You’ve probably heard conflicting advice on how often to eat. I know I have. And have you ever wondered about the evidence behind eating 3 meals a day? Could 2, or 5 meals actually be healthier? Professors Tim Spector and Sarah Berry join me to share some unexpected insights and practical advice to help you base your snacking habits in the latest science. Learn how your body responds to food 👉 zoe.com/podcast for 10% off 🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily30+ *Naturally high...
Aug 27, 2024•14 min
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...
Aug 22, 2024•53 min
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...
Aug 20, 2024•9 min
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...
Aug 15, 2024•1 hr 13 min
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 fo...
Aug 13, 2024•13 min
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 Scienc...
Aug 08, 2024•59 min
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 n...
Aug 06, 2024•15 min
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 a...
Aug 01, 2024•1 hr 12 min
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 F...
Jul 30, 2024•12 min
