Get science-based nutrition advice straight to your inbox: https://bit.ly/3ExWxCG Most of us like to have breakfast before we exercise in the morning, but what happens if we don’t eat anything first? The issue goes beyond weight loss and exercise timing to involve blood sugar, insulin sensitivity, and other — perhaps unexpected — aspects of your health. In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Professor Javier Gonzalez ask: Should we exercise on an empty stomach? If you ...
Sep 07, 2023•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast As a listener to this show, you’ve probably heard of the gut microbiome. But did you know that your skin has its own microbiome? Recent evidence suggests that these microbiomes are vital for our skin health. So, what should we do? Which foods make an impact? And if we want our skin to look healthier, how about those collagen supplements that many of you have asked us about? In today’s episode, our guest is Dr. Justine Kluk, a consultant dermatologist with a specialist interest in acne. Justine i...
Aug 31, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Millions of us are counting calories every day. But do we know if those numbers truly reflect the energy we get from eating? It’s about time that we debunked the “one-size-fits-all” approach to calorie counting and unmasked the outdated methodologies that contribute to inaccuracies in food labeling. In today’s episode, Jonathan and Dr. Sarah Berry ask: How exactly do we measure calories, and is calorie counting actually effective? Download our FREE guide — Top 10 Tips to Live Healthier: https://...
Aug 24, 2023•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast Antibiotics are one of the greatest discoveries of the 21st century. Since their inception, they’ve saved countless lives, but these miracle drugs come at a cost. In some cases, they can seriously affect your health or can even be life-threatening. In today’s episode, Jonathan puts himself under the microscope. After an injury forced him to take antibiotics, he shows you the effect they had on his own gut bacteria. Jonathan’s joined by Dr. Will Bulsiewicz and Prof. Tim Spector, who explore the i...
Aug 17, 2023•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast Whether you’re frying, baking, or topping your toast, most of you will eat either butter or margarine at some point today. The fact that these spreads are such a staple means that we need to know their effects on our health. And It might surprise you to learn that this impact has changed quite dramatically over the past 20 years. In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Dr. Sarah ask: Which is healthier, butter or margarine? Download our FREE guide — Top 10 Tips to Live ...
Aug 10, 2023•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Unfortunately, many of us spend our later years in poor health. But is this avoidable? And can we actually increase our healthy years? While aging is inevitable, there are steps we can take to minimize its effects on our health. And surprisingly, some of these steps have nothing to do with exercise or diet. Simply spending time with others can provide countless benefits to us as we age. But how can we maintain these connections? Does retirement affect our social interactions? And can attitude al...
Aug 03, 2023•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast We’ve all had unpleasant toilet experiences in our time. It can be distressing to deal with and not something we like talking about. But when does normal diarrhea become chronic? And when do we need to seek medical care? In today’s episode, Jonathan and Dr Will ask what is chronic diarrhea and how can we rule out something more serious? Will also shares tricks of the trade to ease your symptoms and tells us how our amazing guts work to keep our whole body healthy. Download our FREE guide — Top 1...
Jul 27, 2023•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast What does "organic" food mean? And how do you know if something's organic? Of course, foods tell you if they're organic in massive letters on the packaging. And they cost way more. But what makes a food organic? Is eating organic better for your health? And are the benefits worth the expense? Luckily, Professor Tim Spector is here today with answers. Tim is one of the world's top 100 most cited scientists, a scientific co-founder of ZOE, and the author of the bestselling book Food for Life: The ...
Jul 20, 2023•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Get science-based nutrition advice delivered straight to your inbox. https://bit.ly/46BPTYz Are you trying to eat less sugar? If you are, you might have tried a natural sugar alternative. Stevia, robinia honey, coconut sugar, agave… the list of these table sugar replacements seems to be growing day by day. But what even are these alternatives? Are they really natural? And do they offer us a healthier way of getting that sweet taste? In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan a...
Jul 13, 2023•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast Decades ago, there were reams of adverts instructing us to drink our milk so we don’t break our bones. But in the decades since, public opinion toward dairy is very different, and the scientific community has largely debunked these ideas. Many of the health-conscious among us choose to avoid it altogether. Our reasons range from a belief that dairy leads to inflammation, to acne, or even to an increased risk of heart attack due to high levels of saturated fat. But have we fallen into the same tr...
Jul 06, 2023•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast More than half of women who go through menopause find its symptoms distressing. In fact, 10% leave their jobs because of the burden. It’s no wonder that a huge selection of supplements claim to relieve menopause’s unpleasant effects. But do they actually work? Which products are backed by clinical evidence, and which are just “menowashing”? In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Dr. Sarah Berry ask: What’s the evidence behind menopause supplements? Follow ZOE on Instag...
Jun 29, 2023•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast Evidence shows that all over the world, people are snacking more — with the United Kingdom and the United States leading the way in unhealthy snacking habits. But what exactly counts as a snack? And is all snacking unhealthy? Snacking can be a confusing and controversial topic. There are various opinions and myths about what's good for you. Many people struggle to make healthy choices, while others may be unaware of the impact of snacking habits on their gut health and overall well-being. In tod...
Jun 22, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Transcript available on Metacast We’ve all wrestled with diarrhea at some point. It comes in many forms. And being able to read these differences can help us understand what’s going on inside us and how we should treat it. In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Dr. Will ask: What are the health risks associated with diarrhea, and how can we treat it? Follow ZOE on Instagram. If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition pr...
Jun 15, 2023•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast How much do you know about menstrual cycles? About half of us are more informed than the other half. The menstrual cycle has great significance, affecting various aspects of health. And more than 90% of people who get their periods experience premenstrual symptoms. However, misconceptions and limited understandings abound, leaving many people in the dark. In today’s episode, we’re joined by Hazel Wallace. She’s a medical doctor, nutritionist, and author of The Female Factor. She’s here to give u...
Jun 08, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a lot more common than you might think. In fact, it affects 1 in 10 people globally. Yet there are still a lot of questions about why it occurs and how best to treat it. Could new research connecting gut health to mental health help us unravel its mysteries? In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Dr. Will ask: What exactly is IBS, and how does it connect to our brains? Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ Download ou...
Jun 01, 2023•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast As we age, our bodies undergo numerous changes, including a decline in muscle mass and cognitive function. For many of us, exercise and diet play crucial roles in maintaining our health and well-being. But how can the protein we eat affect our abilities to exercise and stay healthy as we age? It can be difficult to separate fact from fiction when it comes to the effects of protein. How much do we need? Is it better to eat protein before or after exercise? And what roles do protein and exercise p...
May 25, 2023•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast We’ve probably all been reprimanded for eating too fast at the dinner table or suffered the dreaded “itis” from eating way too much food at a family gathering. Our society and the systems we’ve developed to feed it have ballooned to such a point that they easily override our natural bodily systems that tell us when we’ve had enough to eat. When nearly 50% of the United States population is projected to have obesity by 2030, can something as simple as changing the speed with which we eat really b...
May 18, 2023•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast Menopause is a time of significant hormonal changes which can lead to a range of symptoms that can severely impact quality of life for many women. So, a drug that promises to reduce these symptoms is incredibly welcome, but it has been steeped in controversy. HRT (Hormone replacement therapy) has been widely debated, with conflicting information about its effectiveness, with some suggesting HRT is outright dangerous. In fact, a massive study twenty years ago linked it to an increased risk of bre...
May 11, 2023•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast “Omega 3s,” - we’ve all seen the name Omega 3s advertised on labels from nuts to seeds and even eggs! But are these fats healthy for us, or is this just another food myth? In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Sarah ask: Is fish oil and omega 3 intake essential or is this just another food myth? Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ Download our FREE guide — Top 10 Tips to Live Healthier: https://zoe.com/freeguide Studies referenced in the episode: H...
May 04, 2023•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ultra-processed foods have become ubiquitous in modern diets. Many of us eat them regularly without understanding their potential impacts on our health. From hidden additives to addictive properties, these highly processed foods can pose risks. Navigating the complex world of ultra-processing can be challenging, and many people struggle to understand what to avoid, how to break unhealthy habits, and make positive changes to their health. In today’s episode, Jonathan is joined by a special guest,...
Apr 27, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Sarah ask: If nuts are so full of fat, can they really be good for us? There is no shortage of variety when it comes to the mighty (yet humble) nut and the ways we consume them. Dried, chopped, made into butter or roasted (over an open fire, anyone?) these little guys provide the nutrients our brains and bodies need in surprisingly high quantities. From industrially farmed to indigenously hand-harvested, the story of these nuts is...
Apr 20, 2023•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast Proteins, carbs, and fats … most people understand what the last two are. Carbs are sugars, and fat is, well, fat. It's protein that’s so important to our diets, but so often misunderstood — by the general public, that is. Since the 1950s and 1960s, scientists have been measuring how protein affects our performance, how it supports and maintains the body’s structure, and how best to incorporate it into our diets. From big steaks to protein shakes, tofu to seitan, protein is more available now th...
Apr 13, 2023•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Trans fats have a bad reputation. But we now know a lot more about these fats than we did when the first horror stories about them emerged. So, based on the latest science, just how worried should we be? Listen to today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition to find out. Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ Download our FREE guide — Top 10 Tips to Live Healthier: https://zoe.com/freeguide Studies referenced in the episode: Hydrogenation of Unsaturated Fats and Trans Fats E...
Apr 06, 2023•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast A miracle weight loss drug that’s approved in the US and the UK and has few side effects? Ozempic is going viral on social media. Users are posting dramatic before and after pictures of their weight loss. An Ozempic trend is allegedly blossoming in Hollywood, and famous personalities like Elon Musk claim to have taken it. Many remain doubtful, dismissing the craze as just another internet scam preying on people’s insecurities. However, earlier this month - semaglutide - the drug’s active ingredi...
Mar 30, 2023•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast Nightshade vegetables — even the name is ominous. Some people believe they exacerbate arthritis and can cause inflammation. So, should we avoid them? In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Will ask: What are nightshade vegetables, and how can they benefit our bodies? Download our FREE guide — Top 10 Tips to Live Healthier: https://zoe.com/freeguide Studies referenced in the episode: Potato glycoalkaloids and adverse effects in humans: an ascending dose study Effect of ...
Mar 23, 2023•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Mar 16, 2023•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast Lactose is usually only discussed in the context of intolerance. This intolerance can make us feel bloated, gassy and uncomfortable. But from cow’s milk to yoghurt and even breast milk, lactose is everywhere! So, can it really be that bad for us? In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, we’re joined by Dr Will B. to find out. Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ Download our FREE guide — Top 10 Tips to Live Healthier: https://zoe.com/freeguide Studies referenced in...
Mar 09, 2023•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast Gut health is a topic we talk about a lot at ZOE. The gut doesn’t just fight disease, it boosts our mood, processes energy and so much more. Today’s bonus episode journeys through everything we’ve learnt about gut health so far. And what a myth-busting journey it is! In this episode, Jonathan delves into the microbiome, highlighting the most useful tips from conversations with ZOE’s U.S. Medical Director and resident gut health expert, Will Bulsiewicz, and Tim Spector, one of top 100 most cited ...
Mar 07, 2023•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast If you were to ask Siri, Alexa, or ChatGPT for medical advice right now, that would be a terrible idea. But with recent developments in technology, this looks set to change. AI has become more intelligent, wearable devices - more accurate, and personalized medicine - increasingly mainstream. But is any of this safe? Should we really trust machines with our health? And will any of this actually happen? In today’s episode, Jonathan speaks to Eric Topol to explore how artificial intelligence may tr...
Mar 02, 2023•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast Eggs are nutrient-dense and have a long shelf life. Compared with many other protein sources, they’re on the cheaper side. But they’re not as popular as they used to be. And a lot of this comes down to a debate about cholesterol. In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Sarah ask: What’s the truth about eggs? Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/ Download our FREE guide — Top 10 Tips to Live Healthier: https://zoe.com/freeguide Episode transcripts are a...
Feb 23, 2023•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
