🧠 Stay ahead with the latest in science, nutrition, and wellness by subscribing to Dr. Perlmutter's newsletter at: www.drperlmutter.com. ✉️ 🌱 EVY - Go to https://www.optoceutics.com/perlmutter to get 10% off & free shipping (90 days risk-free). Memory Air - Go to www.memoryair.com and use code PERLMUTTER for 15% off, free shipping and a 60-day money back guarantee. ==== Dr. Perlmutter’s groundbreaking new book, Brain Defenders, is now available! Discover how to protect your brain and future health - grab your copy today at https:/www.braindefenders.com. ==== Your food contains far more than protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, and minerals. Researchers have identified more than 100,000 molecules in food, and most of them never appear on a nutrition label. In this episode of The Empowering Neurologist, Dr. David Perlmutter sits down with his son, Dr. Austin Perlmutter, to explore the "dark matter" of nutrition: thousands of plant compounds called polyphenols. They discuss how these nutrients may influence the gut microbiome, the immune system, inflammation, blood flow, metabolism, and gene expression, and what high-polyphenol diets may mean for memory and the aging brain. Dr. Austin also shares his research on Himalayan Tartary buckwheat and what an early study suggests about epigenetics, cognition, and healthy aging. He offers practical ways to find more polyphenols in everyday foods like coffee, tea, dark chocolate, berries, legumes, and extra virgin olive oil, plus simple tips for identifying better options at the grocery store. You don't need an expensive supplement plan to begin. Adding more natural colors and bitter flavors to your plate can be a meaningful first step. https://bttcorp.com/contact/ for inquiries about Dr. Abreu's work. 00:00 — Cold Open: Why Food Matters for Brain Health00:55 — What Are Polyphenols, and Why Do They Matter?02:15 — Food as a Predictor of Long-Term Brain Health04:23 — The “Dark Matter” Hidden in Our Food08:04 — Why Have These Nutrients Been Overlooked?11:06 — What Polyphenols Actually Do in the Body17:32 — How Food Can Change Gene Expression22:08 — Polyphenols Are More Than Antioxidants27:57 — Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat: Putting “Food as Medicine” to the Test32:16 — The 850-Person Study on Food and Cognition36:14 — Where Are We Getting Our Polyphenols?39:19 — Are Polyphenols Actually Beneficial Stressors?41:58 — Nrf2, mTOR, and the Cellular Effects of Polyphenols44:45 — The Practical Takeaway: Eat the Rainbow46:43 — Do the New Dietary Guidelines Get Polyphenols Right?50:25 — The Hidden Brain-Healthy Ingredient in Coffee50:52 — How to Spot a Polyphenol-Rich Olive Oil51:39 — Dark Chocolate vs. Milk Chocolate52:59 — The Best-Studied “Longevity Strategy” Is Surprisingly Basic==== Dr. Austin Perlmutter, MD, is a board-certified internal medicine physician, New York Times bestselling author, researcher, educator, and entrepreneur. He earned his medical degree from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and completed his internal medicine residency at Oregon Health and Science University. His work examines how food, sleep, environmental exposure, and chronic inflammation can change brain function, mental health, and daily choices. He is the co-author of the New York Times bestseller Brain Wash, written with his father, Dr. David Perlmutter. He serves as Managing Director at Big Bold Health, CEO of Lichen Air, and a research consultant at the Helfgott Research Institute. Website: https://www.austinperlmutter.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/draustinperlmutter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/draustinperlmutter YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQOgwRDnA_vpvW9nnUh9KBg Instagram: /davidperlmutter Website: https://www.drperlmutter.com/ Subscribe to our channel: /@davidperlmuttermd This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com http://drtalks.com/channel-growth
