Your gut microbiome, a bustling community of microorganisms, is a vital player in your overall health. It doesn’t just impact your digestive system — it has a profound influence on your brain health and well-being.However, the gut microbiome is a complex, long misunderstood realm, and figuring out how it affects daily life can leave even the most dedicated health enthusiasts scratching their heads. Here at ZOE, we’ve transformed our understanding of this bustling microbial world, where both “good” and “bad” gut bacteria reside.In today’s episode, Jonathan speaks with Prof. Nicola Segata and Prof. Tim Spector to explore how ZOE's microbiome testing and unique microbiome health scores provide personalized insights into your gut health.Get science-based nutrition advice straight to your inbox: https://bit.ly/44xRywMIf you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.Nicola Segata is a professor and principal investigator at the Laboratory of Computational Metagenomics, at the CIBIO department of the University of Trento. His background is in metagenomics, machine learning, microbiome research, and microbial genomics.Tim Spector is ZOE's scientific co-founder and one of the world's top 100 most cited scientists.Timecodes:00:00 Introduction01:41 Quick fire questions03:38 Why should we care about gut microbes?07:00 How many different microbes do we have in our gut?11:37 Why would we want to measure our microbiome?13:15 Can we change our microbiome?18:00 Is it possible to make a dramatic change in your microbiome over time?20:21 What does the latest data tell us about improving our diet?23:24 How does the ZOE micobiome gut test work?27:07 What goes on in the lab to get these results?30:54 Is there enough information in the gut microbiome to make a full health assessment?34:20 What can our microbes tell us about diseases?35:55 What useful information does the microbiome test show us?36:51 Are we still making new discoveries in the microbiome?41:03 Do different microbes prefer specific foods?43:14 How do different lifestyles around the world change your microbiome?47:44 5 simple tips to improve gut health50:45 How rapidly can you damage your microbiome?53:58 Can taking painkillers regularly negatively impact the microbiome?56:10 Summary60:03 Goodbyes/OutroMentioned in today’s episode: The person-to-person transmission landscape of the gut and oral microbiomes from Nature Sharing of gut microbial strains between selected individual sets of twins cohabitating for decades from PLoS OneA genetic gift for sushi eaters from NatureFind Nicola on ResearchGate and X.Episode...

There’s been a surge in our consumption of ultra-processed foods, especially in the United Kingdom and the United States, where these foods contribute about two-thirds of people’s caloric intake. Also a cause for concern is emerging evidence of ultra-processed foods’ detrimental effect on our brain health and overall well-being.When most of our calories come from ultra-processed foods, the risk of chronic physical and mental health conditions escalates. Scientists are now uncovering the intricate mechanisms behind this relationship, particularly concerning the effects of these foods on our brains.In today’s episode, we welcome back Prof. Felice Jacka, OAM. Felice is an Alfred Deakin professor of nutritional psychiatry and the director of the Food & Mood Centre at Deakin University, in Australia. She’s also the founder of the International Society for Nutritional Psychiatry Research and the world’s leading researcher on food’s impact on our brain and mental health.Now, she’s back on the show to delve deeper into the effects of ultra-processed foods on mental health and the brain, specifically the hippocampus, an area responsible for learning and memory.Get science-based nutrition advice straight to your inbox: https://bit.ly/44xRywMIf you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.Timecodes:00:00 Intro01:19 Quick fire questions04:17 What is ultra processed food?05:37 What is the NOVA classification?08:18 How does food impact the brain?10:33 What does the hippocampus do to influence our brain function?12:58 Is there a link between the size of the hippocampus and quality of diet?13:45 Is there a link between the quality of diet and depression?20:37 What are the effects of long term dietary habits?21:33 Is there a link between poor diet and dementia23:18 Is there a link between autism and diet?24:00 How real is the link between diet and dementia?24:57 What is the oral microbiome?28:16 New trial between whole foods and vitamin enriched nutritional foods29:28 How does processing foods impact the makeup of foods on a molecular level?32:10 How does the biodiversity around us affect our body?33:08 How does the industrialized food environment impact us?35:50 How strong is the evidence for this? is it comparable to smoking?39:12 Practical tips to help with our diet40:07 How does reducing consumption of UPF affect us?41:25 How to cut down on UPF44:04 Is it too late to change your diet?45:39 Does exercise impact our brain?47:41 Summary52:57 Goodbyes/OutroMentioned in today’s episode: The SMILES trial published in BMC Medicine Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Mental Health published in NutrientsWestern diet is associated with a smaller hippocampus also in BMC Medicine Learn more about Felice on the Food & Mood Centre’s website.Follow Felice on

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 want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.Mentioned in today’s episode:Lipid metabolism links nutrient-exercise timing to insulin sensitivity in men classified as overweight or obese from The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism Body composition changes associated with fasted versus non-fasted aerobic exercise from Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition The Acute Effects of Interrupting Prolonged Sitting Time in Adults with Standing and Light-Intensity Walking on Biomarkers of Cardiometabolic Health in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis from Sport Medicine Exercising Tactically for Taming Postmeal Glucose Surges from Hindawi Exercise-stimulated glucose uptake — regulation and implications for glycaemic control from Nature Reviews EndocrinologyFollow ZOE on Instagram. Episode transcripts are available here.Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

As a listener to this show, you’ve probably heard of the gut microbiome. But did you know that your skin has its own microbiome? Recent evidence suggests that these microbiomes are vital for our skin health. So, what should we do? Which foods make an impact? And if we want our skin to look healthier, how about those collagen supplements that many of you have asked us about? In today’s episode, our guest is Dr. Justine Kluk, a consultant dermatologist with a specialist interest in acne. Justine is a member of the British Association of Dermatologists, the Royal Society of Medicine, and the Royal College of Physicians. ZOE’s Chief Scientist Dr. Sarah Berry also joins as a cohost to explore these ideas. Get science-based nutrition advice straight to your inbox: https://bit.ly/44xRywMIf you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.Timecodes:00:00 Intro02:01 Quick Fire questions03:52 What does skin do?04:51 Why is the skin so important?06:34 Is there a correlation between aging skin and health?07:41 What is the skin microbiome?11:46 Is exposure to the natural environment beneficial for children?12:39 Can we change the skin microbiome?13:32 Would an oral or topical probiotic help improve our skin microbiome15:11 What can we do to help support the skin barrier?15:39 Can overwashing/scrubbing disturb your skin?16:40 Why does acne matter?18:37 Is acne just found in teenagers?19:12 What effect does menopause have on your skin?20:36 What impact does diet have on acne?22:14 Are diets with high glycemic content bad for acne?23:01 What is happening to create the effects of acne?24:23 Is there a connection between our gut health and skin health?25:15 Practical advice for people with acne28:16 Diet tips to help support healthy skin29:51 How has the ZOE diet gone down in Jonathan and Justine's household?32:54 How can the ZOE diet help with day-to-day cooking habits?35:46 What causes skin aging?37:44 What can we do to slow down skin aging?39:55 Do collagen supplements work to keep your skin youthful?41:52 How can retinol help your skin?42:30 3 things that could help keep your skin young43:31 Top nutrition skin myths45:50 How important is it to apply sun protection?46:36 How does stress impact our skin?48:38 Questions for Jonathan54:57 Summary & OutroMentioned in today’s episode: Mortality is written on the face from The Journals of Gerontology: Series AToo clean, or not too clean: the hygiene hypothesis and home hygiene from Clinical & Experimental AllergyImpact of outdoor nature-related activities on gut microbiota, fecal serotonin, and perceived stress in preschool children from Scientific ReportsJustine shares more in-depth skincare and acne information at drjustinekluk.com and as @drjustinekluk on...

Millions of us are counting calories every day. But do we know if those numbers truly reflect the energy we get from eating?It’s about time that we debunked the “one-size-fits-all” approach to calorie counting and unmasked the outdated methodologies that contribute to inaccuracies in food labeling.In today’s episode, Jonathan and Dr. Sarah Berry ask: How exactly do we measure calories, and is calorie counting actually effective?Get science-based nutrition advice straight to your inbox: https://bit.ly/44xRywMIf you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoeMentioned in today’s episode:The Wilbur Olin Atwater Papers from the United States Department of AgricultureIs there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it. Episode transcripts are available here.

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 impact of different types of antibiotics, how they affect your bacteria in the short and long term, and how we can reverse the unwanted effect of these drugs. Get science-based nutrition advice straight to your inbox: https://bit.ly/44xRywMIf you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.Timecodes:00:00 Intro00:15 Jonathan’s Intro00:50 Quickfire round01:40 Jonathan’s accident 04:00 Unpacking clindamycin11:40 Antibiotic-associated diarrhea 14:45 Side effects prevention advice22:20 Jonathan’s gut at 7 days 27:50 Fermented foods27:00 Tips for building your gut back up41:30 Benefits vs. risks48:00 Summary 51:20 OutroMentioned in today’s episode:Post-antibiotic gut mucosal microbiome reconstitution is impaired by probiotics and improved by autologous FMT from CellSaccharomyces boulardii: What makes it tick as successful probiotic? From the Journal of FungiFollow ZOE on Instagram.Episode transcripts are available here.Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Whether you’re frying, baking, or topping your toast, most of you will eat either butter or margarine at some point today. The fact that these spreads are such a staple means that we need to know their effects on our health. And It might surprise you to learn that this impact has changed quite dramatically over the past 20 years.In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Dr. Sarah ask: Which is healthier, butter or margarine? Get science-based nutrition advice straight to your inbox: https://bit.ly/44xRywMIf you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.Follow ZOE on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/zoe/Mentioned in today’s episode:Margarine from Science Direct      Margarines: Historical approach, technological aspects, nutritional profile, and global trends from Food Research InternationalReduction of LDL-cholesterol as a result of the change from butter to soft margarine from Polish Archives of Internal MedicineAmericans' per capita consumption of margarine & butter from the USDAEpisode transcripts are available here.Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Unfortunately, many of us spend our later years in poor health. But is this avoidable? And can we actually increase our healthy years?While aging is inevitable, there are steps we can take to minimize its effects on our health. And surprisingly, some of these steps have nothing to do with exercise or diet. Simply spending time with others can provide countless benefits to us as we age.But how can we maintain these connections? Does retirement affect our social interactions? And can attitude alone keep you healthier in your later years?In today’s episode, one of the world’s top experts on aging, Prof. Rose Anne Kenny, joins us to explore these ideas. Rose Anne is a world-leading geriatrician at Trinity College Dublin, where she leads a huge, long-term study on aging. She’s also the author of the number one international bestseller Age Proof: The New Science of Living a Longer and Healthier Life.Get science-based nutrition advice straight to your inbox: https://bit.ly/44xRywMIf you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.Timecodes:00:00 - Intro00:13 - Quickfire round01:14 - What’s the biggest myth about aging?04:18 - What is aging?07:43 - Aging process predictors13:50 - Our growing elderly population15:14 - Retirement19:21 - Study on aging and social interaction24:57 - Importance of social participation27:38 - Studying the effects of loneliness29:56 - Combating loneliness31:13 - How attitude affects aging33:20 - Social interaction online36:08 - Creating social relationships48:42 - Summary and OutroMentioned in today’s episode: The Dunedin Study, a long-term study designed to investigate broader questions of child health and development from the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research UnitThe Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) from Trinity College DublinYou can buy Rose Anne’s book here.Follow ZOE on Instagram.Episode transcripts are available here.Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com and we’ll do our best to cover it.

We’ve all had unpleasant toilet experiences in our time. It can be distressing to deal with and not something we like talking about. But when does normal diarrhea become chronic? And when do we need to seek medical care? In today’s episode, Jonathan and Dr Will ask what is chronic diarrhea and how can we rule out something more serious? Will also shares tricks of the trade to ease your symptoms and tells us how our amazing guts work to keep our whole body healthy.Get science-based nutrition advice straight to your inbox: https://bit.ly/44xRywMIf you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get10% off your personalized nutrition program.Mentioned in today’s episode:Chronic Diarrhea by Garrett J. Descoteaux-Friday; Isha Shrimanker from the National Library of MedicineChronic Diarrhea by Cleveland Clinic  Diarrhea From John Hopkins MedicineDiarrhea From Stamford Medicine Healthcare  Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) From Loma Linda University Health Episode transcripts are available here.Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

What does "organic" food mean? And how do you know if something's organic?Of course, foods tell you if they're organic in massive letters on the packaging. And they cost way more. But what makes a food organic? Is eating organic better for your health? And are the benefits worth the expense?Luckily, Professor Tim Spector is here today with answers. Tim is one of the world's top 100 most cited scientists, a scientific co-founder of ZOE, and the author of the bestselling book Food for Life: The New Science of Eating Well.Stick around until the end, and you'll also find out the answer to a question we get often: Does Tim eat organic?Get science-based nutrition advice straight to your inbox: https://bit.ly/44xRywMIf you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.Timecodes:00:00 - Intro01:21 - Quickfire round02:36 - What is organic food?03:06 - Pesticides vs insecticides08:06 - Diseases09:15 - Herbicide risks16:03 - Nutrient comparison 18:21 - Natural chemical defences20:32 - Does Tim Eat organic food?22:15 - Foods high in chemicals25:32 - Organic and cost 26:56 - Washing food31:11 - Summary and outroMentioned in today’s episode: Organic food consumption and the incidence of cancer in a large prospective study of women in the United Kingdom from the British Journal of CancerAssociation of frequency of organic food consumption with cancer risk from JAMA Internal MedicineImpacts of dietary exposure to pesticides on faecal microbiome metabolism in adult twins from Environmental HealthFollow ZOE on Instagram.Episode transcripts are available here.Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Get science-based nutrition advice delivered straight to your inbox. https://bit.ly/46BPTYz Are you trying to eat less sugar? If you are, you might have tried a natural sugar alternative. Stevia, robinia honey, coconut sugar, agave… the list of these table sugar replacements seems to be growing day by day. But what even are these alternatives? Are they really natural? And do they offer us a healthier way of getting that sweet taste?In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Dr. Sarah ask: What are natural sugar alternatives, and are they healthier than table sugar? Follow ZOE on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/zoe/Get science-based nutrition advice straight to your inbox: https://bit.ly/44xRywMIf you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.Mentioned in today’s episode:The artificial sweetener erythritol and cardiovascular event risk from Nature Medicine                    Effects of D-allulose on glucose tolerance and insulin response from BMJ Open Diabetes Research & CareEffects of stevia on glycemic and lipid profile of type 2 diabetic patients from the Avicenna Journal of PhytomedicineAgave syrup: Chemical analysis and nutritional profile from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public HealthAre natural sugar alternatives healthier? from Harvard Health PublishingAlternative sugars - agave nectar from British Dental JournalEpisode transcripts are available here.Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Decades ago, there were reams of adverts instructing us to drink our milk so we don’t break our bones. But in the decades since, public opinion toward dairy is very different, and the scientific community has largely debunked these ideas. Many of the health-conscious among us choose to avoid it altogether. Our reasons range from a belief that dairy leads to inflammation, to acne, or even to an increased risk of heart attack due to high levels of saturated fat.  But have we fallen into the same trap we often do, bouncing from one extreme to another? Could cutting out dairy mean we miss out on vital nutrients? Or could it hold the secret to a healthy gut microbiome?Today, Jonathan is joined by ZOE regulars and renowned experts, Dr. Sarah Berry and Prof. Tim Spector.In this episode, you’ll not only find out whether you should eat dairy or cut it out, but you’ll also hear two leading nutritional scientists try to reach an agreement on how to translate the latest research into actionable advice. And hopefully, they’ll still remain friends afterward. Get science-based nutrition advice straight to your inbox: https://bit.ly/44xRywMIf you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.Timecodes:00:00 - Intro00:13 - Jonathan’s Intro01:38 - Quickfire round02:45 - Biggest myth about dairy04:15 - Does dairy cause inflammation? 10:38 - Bone fragilaty16:03 - Cheese and Yogurt16:59 - Full fat vs semi skinned17:27 - Milk and cholesterol21:03 - Fermented dairy23:00 - dairy and microbes26:03 - Saturated fats26:51 - Cheese quality 31:15 - Summary33:03 - Goodbyes33:14 - OutroFollow ZOE on Instagram.Episode transcripts are available here.Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to cover? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com and we’ll do our best to cover it.

More than half of women who go through menopause find its symptoms distressing. In fact, 10% leave their jobs because of the burden.It’s no wonder that a huge selection of supplements claim to relieve menopause’s unpleasant effects. But do they actually work? Which products are backed by clinical evidence, and which are just “menowashing”?In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Dr. Sarah Berry ask: What’s the evidence behind menopause supplements?Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/Get science-based nutrition advice straight to your inbox: https://bit.ly/44xRywMIf you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.Mentioned in today’s episode:Introduction to menopause from John Hopkins MedicineWhat is menopause? from The National Institute on AgingWhat you should know about hormone therapy and menopause from the Columbia University Irving Medical CentreMenopause symptoms in depth from the National Center For Complementary and Integrative HealthMenopause supplements: Effectiveness, side effects, and safety from Medical News TodayThe role of diet in managing menopause symptoms from Nutrition BulletinRevealing the evidence-based diet solutions to managing your menopause symptoms from Nutrition BulletinEpisode transcripts are available here.Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Evidence shows that all over the world, people are snacking more — with the United Kingdom and the United States leading the way in unhealthy snacking habits. But what exactly counts as a snack? And is all snacking unhealthy?Snacking can be a confusing and controversial topic. There are various opinions and myths about what's good for you. Many people struggle to make healthy choices, while others may be unaware of the impact of snacking habits on their gut health and overall well-being.In today’s episode, Jonathan is joined by ZOE regulars and renowned experts Sarah Berry and Tim Spector for an enlightening discussion that will help you snack smarter. Armed with the latest scientific research, they unravel the complexities of snacking and share evidence-based insights on what's truly beneficial for your body. Along the way, they cover healthy options, snack timing, and what we should all be avoiding.Get science-based nutrition advice straight to your inbox: https://bit.ly/44xRywMIf you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.Timecodes:00:00 Introduction01:23 Quick Fire Questions04:03 What is a snack?04:55 How much energy comes from snacks?05:40 Cultural differences with snacks08:33 What happens when we snack?10:29 Are some healthy looking bars actually bad for us?12:16 Do ulta-processed snacks make us hungrier?13:57 What effect do additives and emulsifiers have?15:04 Results of study on healthy vs unhealthy snacks15:22 What impact does snacking have on our gut?18:00 Why could snacking be unhealthy?18:56 What are the concerns around snacking frequency?19:50 Does the quality of your snack make a difference?21:31 Could skipping breakfast be healthy for us?23:17 Does timing of snacking have any influence on our health?28:42 How could time-restricted eating benefit us?32:20 What is the impact of snacking on weight gain?34:15 What impact does snacking have on blood sugar?36:25 How people on different routines react to snacking38:27 What does the recent ZOE research show us on the topics of snacking?40:16 How bad is late night snacking for our health?42:19 How should we be snacking?46:30 How has snacking changed over time?47:26 Actionable advice on snacking52:52 How much do your meals impact snacking?56:50 Summary59:40 Goodbyes59:44 OutroIn today’s episode:Meal patterns across ten European countries – results from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) calibration study https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/public-health-nutrition/article/meal-patterns-across-ten-european-countries-results-from-the-european-prospective-investigation-into-cancer-and-nutrition-epic-calibration-study/A662BDB7A9AD3631BD6AD98946FE765F# What is a snack, why do we snack, and how can we choose better snacks? A review of the definitions of snacking, motivations to snack, contributions to dietary intake, and recommendations for improvement

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 get10% off your personalized nutrition program.Mentioned in today’s episode:Diarrhea, a global overview from the World Health Organization (WHO) Key takeaways from a University of Oxford analysis of the global impact of antimicrobial resistanceEpisode transcripts are available here.Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

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 us an education about the menstrual cycle. Dr. Hazel Wallace describes how the cycle affects almost every aspect of the body, from heart health and sleep to metabolism. She also explains whether there’s scientific evidence behind “cycle syncing.”Whether or not you’ve had a menstrual cycle, you’ll learn a lot from this episode. If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinZOE.com/podcast, and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program.Timecodes:00:00 Introduction00:36 Quick fire questions03:49 What is the menstrual cycle?05:42 What is the luteal phase?06:54 When does the menstrual cycle begin?07:43 How regular are menstrual cycles - Do they change over time?08:29 What is actually happening during the menstrual cycle?09:41 What role does oestrogen have in hormonal changes?10:48 How does the menstrual cycle affect performance in athletes12:05 How does the menstrual cycle affect women?16:30 Are cravings real? Why do they happen?18:21 What is PMS and what do people experience?20:11 Is there much research behind PMS?21:40 What is PMDD?23:16 How do you identify PMDD?26:17 What is cycle syncing?27:43 What role does nutrition have in reducing symptoms during the cycle30:22 Can regular exercise improve symptoms?33:52 How is sleep impacted by the menstrual cycle?37:41 How does this impact our immune system?38:56 Why is there such little research into this area?41:13 How has the exclusion of women in research impacted us?44:14 Menstrual cycle tracking - what is it and how can you do it?46:31 How can tracking help?47:26 What diet can help symptoms?49:31 How does the menstrual cycle affect the microbiome?52:07 How can intermittent fasting affect the menstrual cycle?54:59 Summary58:00 Goodbyes58:11 OutroMentioned in today’s episode:The Effects of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Exercise Performance in Eumenorrheic Women https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32661839/Hazel’s book is available to buy hereFollow Hazel: https://twitter.com/ThefoodmedicFollow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/Episode...

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/Get science-based nutrition advice straight to your inbox: https://bit.ly/44xRywMIf you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.Referenced in today’s episode:FODMAP Diet: What you need to know from Johns Hopkins MedicineLarge-scale genetic study reveals new clues for the shared origins of irritable bowel syndrome and mental health disorder from the University of CambridgeIrritable bowel syndrome: A chronic sequelae of acute gastroenteritis from GastroenterologyWilliam Olser: Biographical overview from the National Library Of Medicine  IBS: What you need to know from the National Center For Complementary and Integrative HealthIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) overview from Johns Hopkins MedicineEpisode transcripts are available here.Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com and we’ll do our best to cover it.

As we age, our bodies undergo numerous changes, including a decline in muscle mass and cognitive function. For many of us, exercise and diet play crucial roles in maintaining our health and well-being. But how can the protein we eat affect our abilities to exercise and stay healthy as we age?It can be difficult to separate fact from fiction when it comes to the effects of protein. How much do we need? Is it better to eat protein before or after exercise? And what roles do protein and exercise play in brain function?In today’s episode, Jonathan is joined by Prof. Ben Wall, an expert in nutritional physiology at the University of Exeter. Together, they unpack the latest scientific research on the connection between protein consumption and exercise.Prof. Ben Wall shares his insights into the optimal amount and timing of protein intake for building and maintaining muscle mass, as well as the potential impact of exercise on cognitive function and brain health into later life. Get science-based nutrition advice straight to your inbox: https://bit.ly/44xRywMIf you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.Timecodes:00:12 Introduction28:21 Quick Fire Questions02:54 Do we need to eat proteins right after exercise?03:34 What is protein?04:45 Why should we care about exercise?05:36 How does exercise help with healthspan?07:41 What are the benefits of exercise?07:57 Does exercise improve brain function?11:23 Where do our muscles come into this conversation?12:09 What constitutes an unhealthy muscle?13:00 What's the difference between a healthy and unhealthy muscle?14:18 How does protein fit into the idea of healthy muscles?16:03 What about the concept of breaking muscle. Is it good for us?18:13 Do we need more protein to help build muscle?20:07 What is the anabolic window and Is it a myth?21:54 Is it fine to listen to our hunger pangs post exercise?23:01 How does protein impact menopause and bone health?25:04 Is there a maximum amount of protein our bodies can absorb?28:14 What is the right amount of protein to eat?30:02 What is an 'adaptive response' to exercise?31:17 How much higher RDA do we need if we are exercising?33:31 Are we already eating enough protein?35:51 Why does muscle mass change as we age?36:18 Do we put on weight when we age?36:59 How do our bodies respond to protein as we age?41:38 How to balance protein and exercise42:33 Where should we get our protein from?46:43 Plant vs animal based protein products51:26 Summary55:12 Goodbyes55:27 OutroMentioned in today’s episode: Ingested protein dose response of muscle and albumin protein synthesis after resistance exercise in young men: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19056590/Anabolic signaling deficits underlie amino acid resistance of wasting, aging muscle: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15596483/Food for our future: The nutritional science behind the sustainable fungal protein — mycoprotein: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10131050/Follow Ben on Twitter :

We’ve probably all been reprimanded for eating too fast at the dinner table or suffered the dreaded “itis” from eating way too much food at a family gathering. Our society and the systems we’ve developed to feed it have ballooned to such a point that they easily override our natural bodily systems that tell us when we’ve had enough to eat. When nearly 50% of the United States population is projected to have obesity by 2030, can something as simple as changing the speed with which we eat really be an effective tool for weight loss and sustaining a healthy body?In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Sarah ask:  What is eating rate and does it have any impact on our health?Studies referenced in the episode:Does Eating Fast Make You Gain More Weight?Eating slowly increases the postprandial response of the anorexigenic gut hormones, peptide YY and glucagon-like peptide-1 Association between eating rate and obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis Eating too fast may lead to weight gain, heart disease Is eating too quickly bad for your health? How Important Is Eating Rate in the Physiological Response to Food Intake, Control of Body Weight, and Glycemia? A systematic review and meta-analysis examining the effect of eating rate on energy intake and hunger Effects of eating rate and eating topography on meal size and satiety The effect of eating rate on satiety in healthy and overweight people – A pilot study Association between Self-Reported Eating Rate, Energy Intake, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in a Multi-Ethnic Asian Population Association between Self-Reported Eating Rate, Energy Intake, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in a Multi-Ethnic Asian PopulationControl of overweight and obesity in childhood through education in meal time habits. The ‘good manners for a healthy future’ programme*Eating slowly led to decreases in energy intake within meals in healthy womenGet science-based nutrition advice straight to your inbox: https://bit.ly/44xRywMIf you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your...

Menopause is a time of significant hormonal changes which can lead to a range of symptoms that can severely impact quality of life for many women. So, a drug that promises to reduce these symptoms is incredibly welcome, but it has been steeped in controversy.HRT (Hormone replacement therapy) has been widely debated, with conflicting information about its effectiveness, with some suggesting HRT is outright dangerous. In fact, a massive study twenty years ago linked it to an increased risk of breast cancer.  As a result, the numbers of women taking HRT plummeted. So should HRT be avoided at all costs? In today’s episode, Jonathan is joined by the author of that very study and esteemed Professor JoAnn Manson, alongside Dr. Sarah Berry to explore the science behind HRT.Professor JoAnn Manson is a professor of epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health and one of the world's most experts on HRT and menopause having run multiple enormous studies to uncover the effects of hormone replacement therapy on women’s health.With the help of ZOE regular Dr. Sarah Berry, they delve into the science behind HRT, empowering listeners to make informed decisions about treatment for symptoms of the menopause.Get science-based nutrition advice straight to your inbox: https://bit.ly/44xRywMIf you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.Timecodes:00:00 Introduction00:12 Jonathan's introduction01:33 Quick Fire Questions03:27 What is the menopause?04:10 What is the perimenopause?05:46 What is the state of the current conversation on the menopause?07:13 Should women seek help about the menopause?07:58 Why do some women have symptoms and others not?09:15 Yougov and ZOE study results on the menopause11:35 Why is the menopause getting more attention now?13:39 Should we be taking these symptoms seriously?17:10 What else can be done asides from HRT?18:49 Studies on the relationship between diet and menopause symptoms19:35 What can help alleviate symptoms?21:23 Are there any specific foods that can help improve symptoms?23:37 Are menopause specific supplements effective?24:50 How does HRT work?26:26 Is HRT just oestrogen?30:59 Does testosterone have a use for menopause?31:58 What is the controversy behind HRT?35:56 What's the latest advice and health risks?38:11 When should you stop hormone therapy?40:43 Do symptoms persist when you come off of hormone therapy?42:00 How long does HRT take to start working?43:07 How does HRT affect weight management?45:15 Summary48:04 Goodbyes48:25 OutroCheck the trials mentioned in today’s episode: MsFlash: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4731298/ZOE Menopause Study: https://joinzoe.com/learn/menopause-metabolism-studyPEPI Trial: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7807658/Follow Sarah: