ZOE Science & Nutrition

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 ca...

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...

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 sc...

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 healt...

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 in...

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, Jona...

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 othe...

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...

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...

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 h...

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...

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 projec...

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...

“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 g...

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,...

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...

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...

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://z...

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 pr...

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...

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 ke...

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/ Dow...

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 D...

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 ha...

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...