ZOE Science & Nutrition ZOE

Meat consumption continues to be high in both the US and the UK. Yet many governments advise reducing meat consumption, particularly red meat, due to both environmental and health concerns. 
In this episode, we delve into the sizzling world of meat alternatives. They promise sustainability, animal welfare, and better health. Buzzwords like "plant-based" and "meat-free" proudly adorn their packaging. But are they actually healthy? Or should we consider them as ultra-processed foods and avoid them?
Christopher Gardner is a Professor of Medicine at Stanford University and the Director of the Stanford Prevention Research Centre, and a world-leading expert in how the food that we eat impacts our health. 
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Timecodes:
00:00 Introduction
01:25 Quickfire questions
03:50 What is a meat alternative?
05:22 What's driving the trend for more alternatives?
07:47 Should you eat less red meat?
08:38 What is in meat alternatives?
10:22 Traditional meats vs meat alternatives
13:41 Are meat alternatives ultra-processed?
14:47 Latest scientific studies
23:56 What were the findings?
29:48 Is the quality of the protein as good as real meat?
34:00 Are meat alternatives healthy?
38:53 Are whole food based meat alternatives healthier?
40:05 What are the practical tips around meat alternatives?
43:21 How do ultra-processed foods come into this?
45:23 What are other ways people can transition away from red meat?
50:33 What are the differences between bad and good quality meat?
📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica AmatiFood For Life by Prof. Tim SpectorFibre Fuelled by Dr Will Bulsiewicz
Studies referenced in today’s episode: 
Study With Appetizing Plantfood—Meat Eating Alternative Trial (SWAP-MEAT), published in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. SWAP-MEAT Athlete (study with appetizing plant-food, meat eating alternatives trial) a randomized crossover trial, published in Nutrition Journal.
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Episode transcripts are available here.

Periods are taboo! Despite the fact that half of the world’s population experience them. This taboo has led to countless myths around the topic. “The internet’s gynecologist” Dr. Jen Gunter is here to usher in a new era where people understand – and can advocate for – what they need as their body changes each cycle.
Jonathan is joined by Dr Sarah Berry and Dr Jen Gunter to get a better understanding of our body's behavior during the menstrual cycle. Jen will provide you with her period toolkit and offer solutions to the most common problems of modern-day period health.
Dr. Jen Gunter is a gynecologist and pain medicine physician at the Permanente Medical Group in northern California. Her books ‘The Vagina Bible’ and ‘The Menopause Manifesto’ were both New York Times bestsellers. Her 2024 book ‘Blood’ tackles the science, medicine and mythology of menstruation.
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Timecodes:
00:00 Introduction
01:26 Quickfire questions
02:31 Shame culture around menstruation
04:20 The evolution and purpose of the menstrual cycle
06:30 Menstrual cycle mechanics
11:08 Understanding heavy periods and iron deficiency
14:01 Addressing period pain and discomfort
21:39 Diet, appetite, and periods: what's the connection?
26:09 Understanding PMS and PMDD
27:55 PMS causes and symptoms
30:52 Treatment options for PMS and PMDD
31:51 Demystifying polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
35:42 The role of diet and obesity in PCOS
37:32 Advice for managing PMS
40:19 Menstrual cramps and pain management
47:08 Iron supplementation strategies
📚 Dr. Jen Gunter’s books:
The Menopause ManifestoBlood: The Science, Medicine, and Mythology of Menstruation
📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica AmatiRecipes for a Better Menopause by Dr Federica AmatiFood For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Studies related to today’s episode:
Prevalence of Iron Deficiency and Iron-Deficiency Anemia in US Females Aged 12-21 Years, 2003-2020, from the Journal of the American Medical AssociationThe Role of Estrogen in Insulin Resistance: A Review of Clinical and Preclinical Data, from The American Journal of Pathology
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Episode transcripts are available here.

55 million people suffer dementia worldwide with numbers expected to double every 20 years. Understanding the link between our heart health and brain function is critical, illuminating the profound impact that heart health has on preventing dementia.
Dr. William Li, an expert in cardiovascular and metabolic health. He reveals how caring for our heart is not just about longevity but maintaining sharp, effective brain function as we age. His groundbreaking work has impacted more than seventy diseases including diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Dr. Li is also a New York Times best-selling author.
In today’s episode, Dr. Li explains how simple lifestyle choices in diet, exercise and sleep can drastically shape our brain's health and stave off dementia.
If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to zoe.com/podcast, and get 10% off your membership.
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Timecodes
00:00 Introduction
01:23 Quickfire questions
03:30 Understanding dementia and Alzheimer's disease
04:50 Dementia versus ageing
06:35 The role of blood vessels in brain health
07:55 How circulation affects brain function
09:23 What causes blood clots and strokes?
11:06 The importance of maintaining healthy blood vessels
12:15 The impact of lifestyle choices on brain health
15:01 What happens in our brains when we sleep?
19:35 What is the glymphatic system?
22:40 Vascular dementia may be the most common form of dementia
24:35 The role of glucose in brain function
27:10 What causes dementia and why does it happen when we get older?
29:00 Preventing dementia with lifestyle changes
31:10 What are healthy blood vessels like?
37:50 The surprising role of EPCs in brain repair
41:30 Can you slow down or reverse dementia?
52:08 The connection between gut health and brain health
51:40 The importance of exercise for brain health
56:30 How to avoid dementia
01:01:16 The link between mental health and cardiovascular disease
📚 Dr. William Li’s books:
Eat to Beat Disease Eat to Beat Your Diet
📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica AmatiFood For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Relevant studies:
A human brain vascular atlas reveals diverse mediators of Alzheimer’s risk, published in NatureHeart-brain connections: Phenotypic and genetic insights from magnetic resonance images, published in ScienceCocoa flavanol consumption improves cognitive function, blood pressure control, and metabolic profile in elderly subjects: the Cocoa, Cognition, and Aging (CoCoA) Study—a randomized controlled trial, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
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Inflammation is a complicated topic. Short-term inflammation plays an essential role in fighting infections and healing injuries. But too much inflammation can be a catalyst for chronic ailments, like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, autoimmune disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, and obesity.
What we eat can influence our inflammatory responses and contribute to chronic, low-grade inflammation.
In today’s episode, Prof. Philip Calder helps us understand the science behind inflammation, how it impacts our health and what food has to do with it.
Philip is head of the School of Human Development and Health, as well as a Professor of Nutritional Immunology, in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Southampton. He’s also an internationally recognised researcher on the metabolism and functionality of fatty acids. His work focuses on the roles of omega-3 fatty acids and the influence of diet and nutrients on immune and inflammatory responses. 
If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to zoe.com/podcast, and get 10% off your membership.
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Timecodes
00:00 Introduction
01:20 Quickfire questions
02:55 The role of inflammation in immunity
05:30 Chronic inflammation and disease
08:30 How to measure inflammation
09:53 Low-grade inflammation and disease risk
12:30 What causes blood vessel inflammation?
15:23 What creates the narrowing of blood vessels?
17:20 How inflammation can cause blood clots, heart attacks and strokes
19:15 Inflammation and aging
21:40 Inflammation and lifestyle factors
25:07 Obesity and inflammation
28:45 Muscle loss and inflammation (sarcopenia)
30:52 The impact of meals, sugar and fats on inflammation
33:35 How diet could reduce inflammation
34:42 Why we all respond to food differently
38:42 Dietary choices to manage inflammation
40:00 What are omega-3s?
41:17 Anti-inflammatory foods
43:40 Health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids
45:55 Challenges with farmed salmon
📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica AmatiFood For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Mentioned in today's episode:
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammatory processes: Nutrition or pharmacology? in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
Omega-6 fatty acids and inflammation in PLEFA
Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes in Nutrients 
Another relevant study:
Health relevance of the modification of low-grade inflammation in ageing and the role of nutrition in Ageing Research Reviews
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Episode transcripts are available here.

The menopause transition can bring unexpected challenges — the effects can significantly impact daily life and long-term health.
Dr. Mary Claire Haver is a board-certified gynaecologist and a menopause specialist. She's helped thousands of women in perimenopause and menopause to realise their health goals. In today’s episode, she joins Jonathan and ZOE's Chief Scientist Dr. Sarah Berry to shed light on what to expect during these life stages.
Sarah and Mary Claire describe practical strategies for managing symptoms, critical conversations to have with healthcare providers, and how to advocate for yourself effectively in medical settings.
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If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to zoe.com/podcast, and get 10% off your membership.
Follow ZOE on Instagram. 
Timecodes:
00:00 Introduction
01:33 Quickfire questions
05:53 There is a lack of menopause training in medical school
07:02 Most women are going into menopause blind
07:43 Why menopause symptoms vary
09:30 The hormonal ‘zone of chaos’
11:45 ZOE PREDICT data on menopause symptoms
13:36 How long do perimenopause symptoms last?
17:52 Perimenopause at age 35?
18:34 Why hormone tests are worthless
20:53 The risk of chronic disease after menopause
24:53 Why does menopause increase hunger?
28:39 Why medicine and research is male-dominated
32:34 How to talk to your doctor about menopaue
34:12 Pregnancy research - 10x more extensive than menopause research!
35:14 Mary Claire’s toolkit of strategies for menopause
36:34 What are the long-term health benefits of hormone replacement therapy?
38:36 Is HRT safe for most women?
42:47 Brand new ZOE study results: diet and menopause
49:16 Top 3 tips to help with symptoms
54:34 What is ‘frozen shoulder’ and how can you treat it?
📚 Mary Claire's book
The New Menopause
📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica AmatiFood For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Mentioned in today's episode
Menopause transition and cardiovascular disease risk: Implications for timing of early prevention: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association in CirculationThe controversial history of hormone replacement therapy in MedicinaDr. Vonda Wright’s website
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Episode transcripts are available here.

In today’s episode we’re uncovering the medicines hiding in your kitchen. 
Molecular biologist Kanchan Koya joins Jonathan and Sarah to explore the incredible health benefits of spices. From controlling blood sugar to soothing a sore throat, we’ll discover what the latest research says about household favorites including ginger, cinnamon and cloves. 
Kanchan Koya is a food scientist, founder of the spice-centric food blog Chief Spice Mama and author of the cookbook ‘100 Recipes with Healing Spices for Your Family Table’. She will show us how to get the most out of spices, with simple cooking tips and delicious recipes. 
Want to make Kanchan’s show stopper spice dish? Find the recipe here.
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If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to zoe.com/podcast, and get 10% off your membership.
Follow ZOE on Instagram.
Timecodes:
00:00 Introduction
01:26 Quickfire questions
03:08 What are spices?
03:43 Polyphenols in spices
07:25 Spices and your health
11:01 Cinnamon and blood sugar control
14:49 Anti-inflammatory benefits of spices
21:08 A practical guide to using spices
31:40 Reviving old spices
33:11 The wonders of ginger: from morning sickness to gut health
35:56 Spiced cooking tips
37:41 Breakfast ideas: add spices to start your day
39:44 Simple spicy snacks
42:05 Dinner delights: spicing up main meals
44:11 Spices for kids
46:24 Spiced drinks: from chai to golden milk
48:24 The ultimate spice dish
Studies related to today’s episode:
Safety and efficacy of curcumin versus diclofenac in knee osteoarthritis: a randomized open-label parallel-arm study published in Trials Analgesic effect of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of clove, published in Avicenna Journal of PhytomedicineEffect of cinnamon spice on continuously monitored glycemic response in adults with prediabetes published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition Star anise (Illicium verum): Chemical compounds, antiviral properties, and clinical relevance published in Phytotherapy Research Ginger-Mechanism of action in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, published by Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Episode transcripts are available here.