The Body of Evidence

Dr. Christopher Labos
  • 4.6 (65)
  • Medicine
  • Weekly

Dr. Christopher Labos and guests use the body of evidence to go beyond science and medicine headlines and hype. All to help you develop your critical thinking skills so that when you google your symptoms, you won't believe you're going to die tomorrow. The Body of Evidence is your weekly dose of clarity on complex health topics and the often-sketchy medical information found online. Hosted by cardiologist Dr. Christopher Labos and featuring a rotating cast of co-hosts and guests, this podcast brings you engaging interviews, original reporting, and humour-filled commentaries to help you navigate the world of medicine. Episodes tackle everything from debunking misinformation to exploring the reality of certain conditions to the effectiveness of social media medical trends. With an extensive archive dating back to 2015,The Body of Evidence is your go-to source for understanding science and medicine and developing critical thinking about your health.

  1. 3d ago

    208 – Screen time in kids

    Limiting screen time in kids is easier said than done. Also, how much is too much? Will new laws limiting access to social media for kids and teens do anything?   Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/ https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE   Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.   Hosts:     Christopher Labos & Sophie Tseng Pellar Editor:    Robyn Flynn Researcher: Auriane Journet Theme music: "Fall of the Ocean Queen" by Joseph Hackl Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos Chris' book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer   Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.   References: American College of Pediatricians. Media use and screen time: its impact on children, adolescents, and families. 2020. Canadian Heritage. Government of Canada introduces legislation to make social media services and AI chatbots safer for children. 10 June 2026. https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2026/06/government-of-canada-introduces-legislation-to-make-social-media-services-and-ai-chatbots-safer-for-children.html Cerniglia L, Cimino S, Ammaniti M. What are the effects of screen time on emotion regulation and academic achievements? A three-wave longitudinal study on children from 4 to 8 years of age. Journal of Early Childhood Research. 2021;19(2):145-60. COUNCIL ON COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA, David Hill, Nusheen Ameenuddin, Yolanda (Linda) Reid Chassiakos, Corinn Cross, Jeffrey Hutchinson, Alanna Levine, Rhea Boyd, Robert Mendelson, Megan Moreno, Wendy Sue Swanson; Media and Young Minds. Pediatrics November 2016; 138 (5): e20162591. 10.1542/peds.2016-2591 Esfandiari M, Sciacca B, Feijóo S, Laffan DA, Milosevic T, O'Toole C, et al. Trends in digital technologies to address children's online safety education: A systematic scoping review. International Journal of Educational Research Open. 2025;9:100462. Gallup. Screens ubiquitous in classrooms; teachers split on efficacy. September 2026. https://news.gallup.com/poll/714479/screens-ubiquitous-classrooms-teachers-split-efficacy.aspx Hinkley T, McCann JR. Mothers' and father's perceptions of the risks and benefits of screen time and physical activity during early childhood: a qualitative study. BMC Public Health. 2018;18(1):1-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-6199-6 Institut de la statistique du Québec. L'utilisation des écrans chez les tout-petits d'environ un an et demi et leurs parents. 2024. https://statistique.quebec.ca/fr/produit/publication/utilisation-ecrans-tout-petits-environ-un-an-et-demi-et-leurs-parents Livingstone S, Helsper EJ. Parental Mediation of Children's Internet Use. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media. 2008;52(4):581-99. McClain, C., Sidoti, O., Faverio, M., & Lama, S. (2025, October 8). How parents approach their kids' screen time. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2025/10/PI_2025.10.08_Parents-Kids-Screens_REPORT.pdf Médias24. Réseaux sociaux : la France interdit l'accès aux moins de 15 ans. 22 July 2026. https://medias24.com/2026/07/22/reseaux-sociaux-la-france-interdit-lacces-aux-moins-de-15-ans-1728491/ Miller CC, Mervosh S. How Much Screen Time Is Your Child Getting at School? We Asked 350 Teachers. The New York Times. 2025. Vasconcellos, R. P., Sanders, T., Lonsdale, C., Parker, P., Conigrave, J., Tang, S., Del Pozo Cruz, B., Biddle, S. J. H., Taylor, R., Innes-Hughes, C., Salmela-Aro, K., Vasconcellos, D., Wilhite, K., Tremaine, E., Booker, B., & Noetel, M. (2025). Electronic screen use and children's socioemotional problems: A systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Psychological bulletin, 151(5), 513–543. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000468 Qu G, Hu W, Meng J, Wang X, Su W, Liu H, et al. Association between screen time and developmental and behavioral problems among children in the United States: evidence from 2018 to 2020 NSCH. Journal of Psychiatric Research. 2023;161:140-9. Tamana SK, Ezeugwu V, Chikuma J, Lefebvre DL, Azad MB, Moraes TJ, et al. Screen-time is associated with inattention problems in preschoolers: Results from the CHILD birth cohort study. PLOS ONE. 2019;14(4). http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0213995 TechPolicy.Press. Early Lessons from Australia's Teen Social Media Ban for the Rest of the World. 2026. https://www.techpolicy.press/early-lessons-from-australias-teen-social-media-ban-for-the-rest-of-the-world/ Toigo S, Wang C, Prince SA, Varin M, Roberts KC, Betancourt MT. Recreational screen time and mental health among Canadian children and youth. Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada. 2025;45(7-8):311-22.

  2. Oct 22

    207 – Heart Rate Variability (HRV)

    The Apple Watch Series 12 is doubling down on its new Readiness Scores and HRV. How well does it work and how much can rely on heart rate variability to tell us anything about our health. *** JOIN OUR STUDY: *** bit.ly/digitaldietstudy Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/ https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE   Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.   Hosts:     Christopher Labos & Sophie Tseng Pellar Editor:    Robyn Flynn Theme music: "Fall of the Ocean Queen" by Joseph Hackl Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos Chris' book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer   Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information. References: Chris article on HRV for the Montreal Gazette: https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/labos-ive-got-no-time-for-apple-watchs-new-health-sensing-system/ Eric Topol's review on wearable tech and HRV: https://erictopol.substack.com/p/the-big-holes-in-wearable-heart-rate A primer on how to measure HRV https://www.empirical.health/blog/how-wearables-measure-hrv/ How well does wearable tech correspond with ECG derived measures of HRV: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/26/16/5192?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email A review of readiness scores: https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/teb-2025-0001/html

  3. Oct 15

    206 - Welcome to Seriously?! Our New Grey's Anatomy Rewatch Podcast!

    Sex, scandals, love triangles, questionable decisions... and the occasional medical emergency. It's been more than 20 years since Grey's Anatomy first hit our screens, and we're going back to Seattle Grace Hospital to relive every messy, McDreamy moment. But don't worry. We'll be back to our regularly scheduled Body of Evidence programming next week. We just thought we'd share the first episode of our NEW podcast, Seriously?! A Grey's Anatomy Rewatch Podcast with you, too! We're watching every episode from the very beginning, breaking down the medical mysteries, the questionable science, the relationships, the heartbreak, and all the drama that made this show a pop culture phenomenon. Is the medicine actually accurate? Would any of these doctors still have their medical licences? And seriously, why is EVERYONE sleeping with EVERYONE?! Join us for Seriously?! A Grey's Anatomy Rewatch Podcast, coming soon wherever you get your podcasts. Because sometimes, the only appropriate reaction is... SERIOUSLY?!   Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/ https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE   Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.   Hosts:     Christopher Labos Editor:    Robyn Flynn Theme music: "Fall of the Ocean Queen" by Joseph Hackl Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos Chris' book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer   Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.

  4. Oct 8

    205 – The Health and Wellness Lie

    Friend of the show, Nick Tiller has a new book out looking at the wellness industry and why we have such trouble distinguishing fact from fiction when it comes to your well-being. Hint: money and marketing play a role.    *** JOIN OUR STUDY: *** bit.ly/digitaldietstudy   Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/ https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE   Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.   Hosts:     Christopher Labos Editor:    Robyn Flynn Theme music: "Fall of the Ocean Queen" by Joseph Hackl Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos Chris' book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer   Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information. References: Nick's book: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/health-and-wellness-lie-9781399424240/

  5. Oct 1

    204 – Avoiding seeds & nuts with diverticulosis

    Diverticulosis patients are often told to avoid seeds and nuts because small food particles will get stuck in the crevices of their colon and cause diverticulitis. But that may not be true. Chris and Sophie debunk this oft repeated piece of advice for a disase that Sophie never heard of until today.   *** JOIN OUR STUDY: *** bit.ly/digitaldietstudy   Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/ https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE   Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.   Hosts:     Christopher Labos & Sophie Tseng Pellar Editor:    Robyn Flynn Researcher: Danielle Kaprelian Theme music: "Fall of the Ocean Queen" by Joseph Hackl Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos Chris' book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer   Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information. References: Burden of diverticulosis: https://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(09)00045-6/fulltext?referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2F Increasing diverticulosis in young: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-021-06956-w Epidemiology of diverticulosis by country: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0123688 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23385677/ Low fiber diet and diverticulosis:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cgh.2013.06.033 Diverticulitis prevalence:  https://doi.org/10.1097/sla.0b013e3181952888 Diverticulitis risk factors and lifestyle: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29112202/ Nuts, corns and popcorn- male cohort study: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.300.8.907  Nuts, corns and popcorn- male cohort study: https://doi.org/10.7326/annals-24-03353 The DINMATO trial on antibiotic use in mild cases of diverticulitis:  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34183510/

  6. Sep 24

    203 – You are not a visual learner

    Many of us assume that we are visual learners, or we learn by doing or by seeing something on the printed page. Whether you've heard of it or not, the VARK system has probably influenced how you think you learn best. But it's complete pseudoscience. Katie Dyer joins to debunk one of the most long held and commonly believed pieces of misinformation out there.   JOIN OUR STUDY HERE: https://bit.ly/digitaldietstudy   Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/ https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE   Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com.   Host:     Christopher Labos Editor:    Robyn Flynn Theme music: "Fall of the Ocean Queen" by Joseph Hackl Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos Chris' book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer   Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information. References: Pashler, H., McDaniel, M., Rohrer, D., & Bjork, R. A. (2008). Learning styles: Concepts and evidence. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 9(3), 105–119. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1539-6053.2009.01038.x Husmann, P. R., & O'Loughlin, V. D. (2019). Another nail in the coffin for learning styles? Disparities among undergraduate anatomy students' study strategies, class performance, and reported VARK learning styles. Anatomical Sciences Education, 12(1), 6–19. https://doi.org/10.1002/ase.1777

  7. Sep 17

    202 – Ultra-marathons and the danger of long distance running

    A viewer question asks how dangerous marathons and longer races are. Also, there is new data about coronary calcifications in marathon runners. Given that the first person to ever run a marathon dropped dead in the Agora of Athens after delivering his fateful message, there are reasons to be concerned that very long distance races are not good for you.   Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/ https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE   Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com. Hosts:     Christopher Labos & Sophie Tseng Pellar Editor:    Robyn Flynn Researcher: Auriane Journet Theme music: "Fall of the Ocean Queen" by Joseph Hackl Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos Chris' book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer   Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information. References: RunRepeat. The State of Ultra Running 2020. https://runrepeat.com/state-of-ultra-running  RunSignup. 2025 Ultramarathon Statistics. https://info.runsignup.com/2026/04/16/2025-ultramarathon-statistics/  Schnohr, P, O'Keefe, J, Marott, J. et al. Dose of Jogging and Long-Term Mortality: The Copenhagen City Heart Study. JACC. 2015 Feb, 65 (5) 411–419. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2014.11.023 Pedisic, Zeljko et al. "Is running associated with a lower risk of all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality, and is the more the better? A systematic review and meta-analysis." British journal of sports medicine vol. 54,15 (2020): 898-905. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2018-100493 Lee, D, Pate, R, Lavie, C. et al. Leisure-Time Running Reduces All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality Risk. JACC. 2014 Aug, 64 (5) 472–481. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2014.04.058 Kim, Jonathan H et al. "Cardiac Arrest During Long-Distance Running Races." JAMA vol. 333,19 (2025): 1699-1707. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.3026 Newman, William et al. "Risk of atrial fibrillation in athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis." British journal of sports medicine vol. 55,21 (2021): 1233-1238. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2021-103994 Videbæk S, Bueno AM, Nielsen RO, Rasmussen S. Incidence of running-related injuries per 1000 h of running in different types of runners. Sports Med. 2015;45(7):1017–1026. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40279-015-0333-8  Alentorn-Geli, Eduard et al. "The Association of Recreational and Competitive Running With Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis." The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy vol. 47,6 (2017): 373-390. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.7137 Heikura, Ida A., Arja L.T. Uusitalo, Trent Stellingwerff, Dan Bergland, Antti A. Mero, and Louise M. Burke. "Low Energy Availability Is Difficult to Assess but Outcomes Have Large Impact on Bone Injury Rates in Elite Distance Athletes". International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism 28.4 (2018): 403-411. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2017-0313

  8. Sep 10

    201 – The Dunning-Kruger effect

    The term has become synonymous with ignorance, incompetence, nincompoopery, crankiness and just being dumb. But what does the Dunning-Kruger effect really mean and is it even real?? David Dunning joins to discuss how much of the popular understanding is actually evidence based.   Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/ https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE   Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com. Hosts:     Christopher Labos Editor:    Robyn Flynn Theme music: "Fall of the Ocean Queen" by Joseph Hackl Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos Chris' book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer   Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information. References: 1) David Dunning's presentation at LiliCon The Tricky Art of Knowing When You Really Don't Know : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifjnHckelOs 2) The original 1999 paper: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1999-15054-002 3) Other examples of the Dunning-Kruger phenomenon: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12712114/ 4) The statistical arguments of the Dunning-Kruger effect being a statistical artefact: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0160289620300271

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4.6
out of 5
65 Ratings

About

Dr. Christopher Labos and guests use the body of evidence to go beyond science and medicine headlines and hype. All to help you develop your critical thinking skills so that when you google your symptoms, you won't believe you're going to die tomorrow. The Body of Evidence is your weekly dose of clarity on complex health topics and the often-sketchy medical information found online. Hosted by cardiologist Dr. Christopher Labos and featuring a rotating cast of co-hosts and guests, this podcast brings you engaging interviews, original reporting, and humour-filled commentaries to help you navigate the world of medicine. Episodes tackle everything from debunking misinformation to exploring the reality of certain conditions to the effectiveness of social media medical trends. With an extensive archive dating back to 2015,The Body of Evidence is your go-to source for understanding science and medicine and developing critical thinking about your health.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Christopher Labos
  • Years Active
    2015 - 2026
  • Episodes
    243
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025, Dr. Christopher Labos
  • Show Website
    The Body of Evidence

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