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The world’s top scientists explain the latest health, nutrition, and gut health research and translate it into practical advice to improve your health & weight. Join ZOE Science & Nutrition, on a journey of scientific discovery. Hosted by Jonathan Wolf.

ZOE Science & Nutrition

Artificial sweeteners are everywhere. They hide in cereal, salad dressing – even in health foods. But are they really a guilt-free way to satisfy your sweet tooth? Or is it naive to think that – because they’re zero calorie – they’re free of consequence?
New research shows there is a consequence. And it could be massive. Artificial sweeteners may disrupt the delicate balance of bacteria that live in your gut. You could see ripple effects like chronic disease, weight gain and a weakened ability to process real sugar.
Today’s guest is at the forefront of this research. For the last decade, Dr Eran Elinav led breakthroughs on the science behind popular sweeteners. He leads The Institute for Microbiome Research at the Weizmann Institute of Science. He’s published over 100 publications in leading scientific journals. And his lab is on the cutting-edge of gut microbiome research. 
We’re also joined today by Tim Spector. Tim is one of the world’s top 100 most-cited scientists, a professor of epidemiology, and my scientific Co-Founder at ZOE. 
You’ll finish today’s episode knowing what's in your sweetener, how it’s affecting you, and where to turn to satisfy your sweet tooth. 
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30+
Follow ZOE on Instagram.

Timecodes:
00:00 The truth about artificial sweeteners
01:49 Quick fire questions
04:03 Tim's self-experiment
07:40 What is an artificial sweetener?
09:47 Examples of popular sweeteners
10:45 Detrimental effects of sugar on your health
13:11 Sugar's impact on gut health
16:30 Which factors affect the gut microbiome?
18:44 Full Fat Coke vs Diet Coke
21:05 Do diet drinks help weight loss?
26:00 Calorie restriction diets
28:01 Sweeteners and diabetes risk
35:50 Why your microbiome is a chemical factory
42:15 Not all sweeteners are created equal
49:00 The WHO's view on sweeteners
52:30 Practical advice on chemicals in food
55:05 How to transition off sweet drinks

📚Books by our ZOE Scientists
The Food For Life Cookbook
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector

Free resources from ZOE
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - For a Healthier Microbiome in Weeks 

Mentioned in today's episode
Artificial sweeteners induce glucose intolerance by altering the gut microbiota (2023), published in Nature
Personalized microbiome-driven effects of non-nutritive sweeteners on human glucose tolerance (2022), published in Cell
Acute and two-week effects of neotame, stevia rebaudioside M and sucrose-sweetened biscuits on postprandial appetite and endocrine response in adults with overweight/obesity-a randomised crossover trial from the SWEET consortium (2024), published in EBioMedicine
The contentious relationship artificial sweeteners and cardiovascular health (2023), published in The Egyptian Journal of Internal Medicine

Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Episode transcripts are available here.

Are artificial sweeteners harming your gut? | Dr. Eran Elinav and Prof. Tim Spector

Navigating the twists and turns of menopause can be a challenge. Hormone fluctuations bring about significant changes in your body - including how it responds to exercise.
So, how can you adjust your workout routine to best support your body through this change?
Exercise physiologist Dr. Stacy Sims tells us how we can optimise fitness during this unique stage of life.

🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member a zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily30+

📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
The Food For Life Cookbook by Prof. Tim Spector
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati

Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition 
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks

Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Listen to the full episode here

Recap: Change how you exercise during menopause | Dr Stacy Sims

Are you ever intimidated by spices? Unsure what spice to add to which meal? If so, you might be missing out on some incredible health benefits! Spices are packed full of polyphenols which means they offer our body something really unique. Oh, and they taste great too.

So how can we introduce more spices into our meals?

Kanchan Koya is here to share the science of spices and show us how easy it is to make them a staple of our cooking.

🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member a zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily30+

📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
The Food For Life Cookbook by Prof. Tim Spector
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati

Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition 
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks

Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Listen to the full episode here

Recap: Reduce inflammation with a sprinkle of spices | Kanchan Koya

Let’s take a look back at our best episodes of 2024. We had an incredible lineup of guests this year who shared a huge range of actionable tips on improving your nutrition and gut health. 
A lot of what we learned might surprise you. Like the beverage you’re probably drinking every day that we thought was bad for us? Turns out it can actually be super beneficial. Or that what counts as a plant is actually so much more than just fruit and veg. Not forgetting the topic we’ve shattered the taboo on - which made our celebrity guest emotional. 
You’ll finish this episode equipped to tackle your post-Christmas slump and feel energised to build new habits with ZOE in 2025. 

🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30+
Follow ZOE on Instagram.

Timecodes
00:00 Introduction
01:41 Build healthy food habits
08:15 Eat more plants with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
17:20 Reduce dementia risk
21:20 Is coffee healthy?
24:40 Why you need more olive oil
33:30 Our special guest!

📚Books by our ZOE Scientists
The Food For Life Cookbook
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector

Free resources from ZOE
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - For a Healthier Microbiome in Weeks 

Enjoy the full episodes here 👇

Habits with James Clear | Spotify or Apple

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall | Spotify or Apple

Dementia | Spotify or Apple

Coffee | Spotify or Apple

Olive oil | Spotify or Apple

Davina McCall | Spotify or Apple

Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Episode transcripts are available here.

ZOE's best health tips of 2024 - Part 1

In the second part of our 2024 recap, we take another look back at more of the best nuggets of wisdom from ZOE Science & Nutrition this year.
In this jam-packed episode, we’ll hear how your second brain affects your mood, why fasting doesn’t actually have to be difficult, and how to prevent the disease you probably don’t know much about - but can lead to hospital time. 
As you consider your New Year’s Resolutions and new habits, this episode will ready you with some great ideas. Why not share with a friend whose also trying to make positive change?

🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30+
Follow ZOE on Instagram.

Timecodes
00:00 Introduction
01:08 Should you try fasting?
10:30 Eat more mushrooms
15:40 The power of spices
27:10 Your second brain
35:10 How to prevent osteoporosis

📚Books by our ZOE Scientists
The Food For Life Cookbook
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector

Free resources from ZOE
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - For a Healthier Microbiome in Weeks 

Enjoy the full episodes here 👇

Intermittent fasting | Spotify or Apple

Mushrooms | Spotify or Apple

Spices | Spotify or Apple

Gut health | Spotify or Apple

Osteoporosis | Spotify or Apple

Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Episode transcripts are available here.

ZOE's best health tips of 2024 - Part 2

Forget crash diets this January. In this episode, we discuss simple, effective ways to eat well and truly enjoy food in 2025.
Today, Prof. Tim Spector and Prof. Sarah Berry join us to share seven essential strategies to help you improve your health this year. Based on the latest science that’s come out over the last 365 days, they bust common food myths, highlight the importance of quality over quantity, and show how the joy of eating can go hand in hand with good health.
🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30+
Follow ZOE on Instagram.

Timecodes
00:00 What's your nutrition goal for 2025?
03:08 This choice matters most for your health
05:20 Changes that could add 10 years to your life
12:30 Tip 1: Reduce intake of these foods
21:20 Tip 2: Try eating at these times
30:50 Tip 3: Stop counting calories
41:39 Tip 4: Change drink habits
48:15 Tip 5: Eat more plants
55:48 Tip 6: Are you getting enough protein?
59:07 Tip 7: Start eating these healthy snacks
01:03:50 Add these foods to your plate

📚Books by our ZOE Scientists
The Food For Life Cookbook
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector

Free resources from ZOE
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - For a Healthier Microbiome in Weeks 

Mentioned in today's episode
Ultra-processed foods cause weight gain and increased energy intake associated with reduced chewing frequency: A randomized, open-label, crossover study, (2024) published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism
Counting hours or calories? Metabolic regulatory role of time-restricted eating in adults with overweight and obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis, (2024) published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition 
Changes in food preferences and ingestive behaviors after glucagon-like peptide-1 analog treatment: techniques and opportunities (2024), published in International Journal of Obesity 
The potential effects of chlorogenic acid, the main phenolic components in coffee, on health: a comprehensive review of the literature (2017), published in European Journal of Nutrition 
Differential peripheral immune signatures elicited by vegan versus ketogenic diets in humans (2024), published in Nature Medicine

Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Episode transcripts are available here.

How to eat in 2025: 7 science-backed tips | Prof. Tim Spector and Prof. Sarah Berry

Many believe that dementia is inevitable, something solely determined by our DNA. But this isn’t the case. In reality, lifestyle choices play the most significant role in determining if we develop this disease.
So, what changes can you make today to reduce your chance of getting dementia tomorrow?
Dr. Claire Steves joins us to share simple steps that will protect your brain for years to come.

🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member a zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily30+

📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
The Food For Life Cookbook by Prof. Tim Spector
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati

Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition 
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks

Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Listen to the full episode here

Recap: Simple steps to prevent dementia | Dr Claire Steves

Belly fat is more than just stubborn weight – it plays a complex role in our health, interacting with the immune system and gut bacteria. But could gut microbes hold the key to understanding and managing belly fat?
In this episode, Dr. Suzanne Devkota, Director of the Microbiome Research Institute at Cedars-Sinai, shares groundbreaking findings on how gut bacteria interact with belly fat. Tim Spector, professor of epidemiology and scientific co-founder at ZOE, also joins the conversation to explain how the diversity of your gut bacteria affects weight and overall health.
Together, our guests share surprising ways the microbiome influences fat storage and offer practical tips for supporting gut health.

🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30+
Follow ZOE on Instagram.

Timecodes
00:00 The risks of internal fat
01:45 Quickfire questions
03:12 What is belly fat?
04:30 How dangerous is internal fat?
05:44 How our body uses belly fat
16:20 Groundbreaking study on gut bacteria
21:05 These gut bacteria live in your fat tissue
24:50 Gut health and your immune system
31:58 Why microbes are essential to survive
38:30 Why gut health starts at birth
46:40 The importance of sampling your gut microbes
50:50 Two changes you can make right now
53:02 Easy fermented eating tips
55:10 Why not all pickles are fermented

📚Books by our ZOE Scientists
The Food For Life Cookbook
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector

Free resources from ZOE
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - For a Healthier Microbiome in Weeks 

Mentioned in today's episode
Translocation of Viable Gut Microbiota to Mesenteric Adipose Drives Formation of Creeping Fat in Humans (2020), published in Cell
Our extended microbiome: The human-relevant metabolites and biology of fermented foods (2024), published in Cell Metabolism
Effects of a personalized nutrition program on cardiometabolic health: a randomized controlled trial (2024), published in Nature
Heritable components of the human fecal microbiome are associated with visceral fat (2016) published in Genome Biology
Dissecting the role of the gut microbiota and diet on visceral fat mass accumulation (2019), published in Scientific Reports

Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Episode transcripts are available here.

Is your gut microbiome preventing weight loss? | Dr. Suzanne Devkota and Prof. Tim Spector

A lot of things change as we age. Our dress sense, our taste in music and importantly our body. The truth is your body is not the same as it was 20 or even 10 years ago. 
So why should your diet be?
Dr Federica Amati is here to explain why our nutrition needs change as we enter later life and how we can adjust our diet to support this.

🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member a zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily30+

📚 Books from our ZOE Scientists:
The Food For Life Cookbook by Prof. Tim Spector
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati

Free resources from ZOE:
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition 
Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks

Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here
Listen to the full episode here

Recap: How to adapt your diet for later life | Dr Federica Amati

Think weight loss is all about eating less and moving more? Think again. In this episode, Prof. Giles Yeo reveals why calorie counting isn’t just inaccurate—it could actually make weight management harder. He explains why the popular “calories in, calories out” method doesn’t add up and explores how factors like genetics, brain signals, and gut health play a major role in shaping our weight.
Giles Yeo is a Professor of Molecular Neuroendocrinology at the University of Cambridge and Honorary President of the British Dietetic Association. His research focuses on the influence of genes on feeding behaviour and body weight. Giles is also the author of ‘Gene Eating’ and ‘Why Calories Don’t Count’.
Giles shares the surprising impact of ultra-processed foods on how we process calories and why losing weight often feels like a battle against our own biology. With decades of research in his back pocket, Giles shares science-backed advice to help you break free from yo-yo dieting, read calorie labels smarter, and embrace a more balanced, plant-rich diet for long-term health.

🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST
🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30+
Follow ZOE on Instagram.

Timecodes
01:17 The quickfire round on weight myths
02:05 The biggest weight loss myth revealed
03:07 What are calories, really?
04:08 Burning poop: a bizarre calorie experiment
08:05 The woman who invented calorie counting
11:41 How calories became a diet obsession
15:00 Why calorie counting doesn’t work
18:56 Why food quality matters more
20:05 The blindspot of calorie labels
23:13 We eat food, not calories
27:02 Stress eating vs. stress starving
31:00 Why we always have room for dessert
38:22 How your gut controls your hunger
45:17 Why pizza makes your brain light up
49:41 Ultra-processed foods hijack your appetite

📚Books by our ZOE Scientists
The Food For Life Cookbook
Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati
Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector

Free resources from ZOE
Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition
Gut Guide - For a Healthier Microbiome in Weeks 

Mentioned in today's episode
Long-term weight-loss maintenance: a meta-analysis of US studies, 2001, published in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
How dieting might make some fatter: modeling weight cycling toward obesity from a perspective of body composition autoregulation, 2020, published in International Journal of Obesity 
Weight-loss outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of weight-loss clinical trials with a minimum 1-year follow-up, 2007, published in Journal of the American Dietetic Association
Diet or Exercise Interventions vs Combined Behavioral Weight Management Programs: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Direct Comparisons, 2014, published in Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 
Diet, exercise or diet with exercise: comparing the effectiveness of treatment options for weight-loss and changes in fitness for adults (18–65 years old) who are overfat, or obese; systematic review and meta-analysis, 2015, published in Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders 
Is regular exercise an effective strategy for weight loss maintenance?, 2019, Physiology & Behavior 

Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.
Episode transcripts are available here.

The science of weight loss – and why calories don’t count! | Prof. Giles Yeo

👀 Unwrap the truth 👉 Try the new ZOE app

Why do we eat what we eat? It might feel like a personal choice, but hidden forces—industry tactics, government policies, and even cutting-edge food science—shape our decisions every day. In this episode, Professor Brian Elbel from NYU and Professor Tim Spector unravel the truth behind our ultra-processed food (UPF) obsession and its alarming impact on global health.

Our food system isn't just flawed; it's deliberately engineered. From seductive marketing to strategic supermarket layouts, Brian and Tim reveal the invisible hands guiding us toward unhealthy choices. Learn to spot UPFs in disguise, understand how corporate profits trump public health, and question whether interventions like soda taxes and calorie labeling truly make a difference.

But all is not lost. Tim and Brian provide actionable strategies to reclaim control of our health. Discover practical tips for decoding confusing food labels, making healthier choices, and advocating for transformative policies. Tune in to learn how individual awareness and collective action can challenge—and change—a food system that’s designed against us.

🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30+

*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system

Follow ZOE on Instagram.

Timecodes

00:00 write timecodes

📚Books by our ZOE Scientists

The Food For Life Cookbook

Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati

Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector

Free resources from ZOE

Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition

Gut Guide - For a Healthier Microbiome in Weeks 

Mentioned in today's episode

 
The corporate capture of the nutrition profession in the USA: the case of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (2022)

 
Ultra-Processed Diets Cause Excess Calorie Intake and Weight Gain: An Inpatient Randomized Controlled Trial of Ad Libitum Food Intake (2019)

 
Relationship between community characteristics and impact of calorie labeling on fast-food purchases

Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.

Episode transcripts are available here.

Why the ‘big food’ industry is killing us – and how to fight back | Prof. Brian Elbel and Prof. Tim Spector

Lyssna när som helst, var som helst

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