Nutrition Science Bites with Professor Clare Collins AO

In this episode, Prof Clare Collins talks with Dr Joel Craddock from the University of Wollongong about protein quality. Joel demystifies what it is and what it means for vegetarians, vegans, athletes and older people. He shares his research findings and expertise regarding how to ensure adequate protein intakes across different life stages and physical activity levels. Key topics What is pro...

In this episode Prof Clare Collins talks with Associate Professor Evangeline Mantzioris from Adelaide University on the ins and outs of olive oil. Evangeline shares insights on polyphenols, mono-unsaturated fat, plus health benefits and types of olive oil, from Extra Virgin to cold-pressed. Discover how to choose olive oil based on quality and the best ways to use of olive oil in food and cooking...

Coughs and colds are everywhere right now! So, we are re-releasing this episode of Nutrition Science Bites about supplement and the common cold. In this episode, Prof Clare Collins and Ilyse Jones discuss effectiveness of various nutrients and supplements in combating cold symptoms. They compare popular beliefs surrounding vitamin C, zinc, garlic, chicken soup, probiotics, echinacea, and andrograp...

In this episode Professor Clare Collins talks with Professor Kevin Whelan from King's College London about evidence-based dietary strategies for managing constipation. This includes the research evidence for including foods, supplements, and from clinical guidelines for bowel health. They discuss practical strategies regarding how to improve gut health and address common bowel issues effectively....

This Nutrition Science Bites episode explores the complex relationship between diet and various types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and juvenile arthritis. Professor Clare Collins talks with Ilyse Jones about recent research on diet and arthritis along with dietary recommendations and the potential role of supplements in managing arthritis symptoms and pain. K...

Professor Collins talks with Reuters journalist Aimee Donnellan about her book "Off the Scales" which details the story of intrigue and perseverance behind the discovery and development of Ozempic, a GLP-1 Receptor Agonist (RA) drug. Their conversation covers the pivotal scientific developments over the long journey of bringing this medication to market and the important stories of the overlooked...

In this episode, Professor Clare Collins talks to #AccreditedPractisingDietitian Isobel Harmer about the research she undertook for her honours project. Wth the research team from the University of Wollongong, she assessed the nutritional quality of plant-based milks, like soy, rice, oat and nut 'milks'. Isobel compared the adequacy of nutrients like protein, sugar, iodine, phosphorus, zinc,...

In this episode, Prof Clare Collins interviews Associate Professor Phillip Baker from Sydney University about ultra-processed foods, their health impacts, and how to make healthier food choices. They explore the science, policy, and practical strategies to reduce ultra-processed food consumption for better health and planetary sustainability. Key topics Definition and identification of ultra-...

In this episode of #NutritionScienceBites Professor Clare Collins talks with guest expert, Accredited Practising Dietitian Sharnie Dwyer about the complex condition of endometriosis. Sharnie is a specialist dietitian in women's nutrition related health and is currently doing her PhD research on endometriosis at Griffith University. They discuss symptoms, reasons for diagnostic delays, and the emer...

In this rewind episode Prof Clare Collins and Dr. Erin Clarke demystify blood cholesterol levels. They explain the different types of cholesterol in blood (Total, LDL, HDL cholesterol, Triglycerides) and what the level and ratios mean for heart health. They discuss how cholesterol levels relate to heart disease risk, the role of diet and exercise in managing risk, and why regular heart health chec...

In this #NutritionScienceBites episode Prof Clare Collins talks with Prof Yasmine Probst about the latest research on nuts and their benefits for heart health. They discuss the latest research from both observational studies looking at associations with eating nuts and intervention studies testing the impact of eating more nuts on risk factors for heart disease. They dispel common myths about weig...

In this episode, Prof Clare Collins talks with Ilyse Jones about the role of nuts in heart health, highlighting recent research, nutritional benefits, and practical tips for incorporating nuts into a heart-healthy diet. They discuss how nuts can reduce cardiovascular risk and easy ways to boost your fiber intake with delicious, budget-friendly meal options. Key topics Nuts and heart health researc...

In this #NutritionScienceBites episode Professor Clare Collins Talk with Ilyse Jones about the importance of vitamin C and reports that inadequate intakes are becoming more common. They discuss the signs and symptoms of deficiency, including scurvy and how food patterns impact vitamin C levels in your blood. They cover insights from recent research, historical studies, and practical tips for maint...

In this #NutritionScienceBites episode Professor Clare Collins interviews Professor Alison Coates, a leading expert in nutrition and shift work from Adelaide University. They discuss the unique nutritional challenges faced by shift workers and practical strategies to help shift workers improve their nutrition-related health and wellbeing. This includes planning meals ahead of time, changing meal t...

In this episode of Nutrition Science Bites, Prof Clare Collins interviews Associate Professor Alexandra Jones, a lawyer turned food regulation expert from the George Institute at UNSW, about the role of food law, the Health Star Rating system, and policies to promote healthier eating in Australia. We cover:- What are Health Stars? Development and use of the Health Star Rating system Food regulatio...

In this Nutrition Science Bites episode Professor Clare Collins talks with Dr Alice Day from the Basil Hetzel Institute and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Adelaide about the complex relationship between dietary protein, gut health and bowel disease. They discuss recent research on protein digestion, protein fermentation in the colon and implications for both inflammatory bowel disease and colon c...

In this episode Prof Clare Collins and Ilyse Jones discuss the multifaceted topic of chocolate, particularly for Easter. They explore the emotional and cultural significance of chocolate, its health benefits, the differences between dark, milk, and white chocolate, and the scientific research on chocolate consumption. The conversation covers common myths, like the relationship between chocolate an...

In this episode, Prof Clare talks with Dr. Sally Griffin about her innovative research on use of Very Low Energy Diets (VLEDs) and Very Low Calorie Diets (VLCDs) as preoperative tools to improve surgical outcomes, especially in abdominal and bowel cancer surgeries. She explains how these diets can reduce liver size, lower surgical risks, and enhance recovery, challenging the traditional use of 'fa...

In this episode, Prof Clare Collins discusses the latest medications for obesity, their side effects, and the importance of nutritional support, with Ilyse Jones. She explains how GLP-1 medications like semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) and tizepatide (Mounjaro and Zepbound) work, their health benefits beyond weight loss, and the importance of avoiding nutrient deficiencies, including protein, vita...

In this episode of Nutrition Science Bites, Prof Clare Collins speaks with Dr Kim Faulkner-Hogg from Coeliac Australia, about coeliac disease, an autoimmune condition that is increasing in prevalence. They cover genetic factors, the role of gluten, and dietary considerations for those affected, including whether or not oats are gluten free. They discuss the importance of a thorough diagnosis, the...

In this conversation Professor Clare Collins and Ilyse Jones discuss various aspects of body weight, diabetes, and nutrition. They emphasise the importance of nutrition checkups for diabetes management, the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes, and the relationship between weight and health. The discussion also covers the role of GLP-1 medications in weight management, the need for long-term strateg...

In this episode of Nutrition Science Bites, Professor Clare Collins interviews Dr Rebecca Krukowski from the University of Virginia USA about the importance of self-monitoring what you eat to help with improving your dietary patterns. They discuss how self-monitoring can enhance self-awareness and provide insights into dietary habits that assist with weight management. The conversation covers rese...

In this Nutrition Science Bites episode, Professor Clare Collins and Dr Catharine Fleming, from Western Sydney University, discuss the rise of squeeze pouches for infant feeding. They discuss nutritional value of products, safety features of the pouches, and the implications of using them for child development. The conversation addresses guilt parents may feel about using these products, the need...

Professor Clare Collins interviews Professor Tim Spector from King's College London about the groundbreaking research of Zoe, a company focusing on personalized nutrition through gut microbiome analysis. Prof Tim emphasizes the critical role of nutrition in preventing diseases. He shares insights from the PREDICT-1 study, which identified significant differences between individuals in metabolites...

In this episode of Nutrition Science Bites, Professor Clare Collins interviews Dr Kerith Duncanson, a dietitian and researcher in gut health nutrition, to delve into the complexities of gastrointestinal health. They focus on the most common gut conditions, including Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Functional Dyspepsia (FD). They discuss the importance of the di...