KMUD - The Choice is Yours

Beans Against the AI Apocalypse is an episode about one surprisingly powerful little food: the bean.

From green beans appearing on the Dirty Dozen list to the use of desiccants in dry-bean production, beans come with environmental and health questions that are more complicated than their humble image suggests. But beans also have a remarkable story to tell: they fix nitrogen, enrich soils, deliver impressive nutrition, and can produce a lot of food with relatively few resources.

We dig into the science, farming practices, health impacts, and environmental footprint behind beans—from the field to the plate. 

Because in an uncertain future—AI existential threats included—it might be worth knowing which crops can feed us, nourish us, and help the soil along the way.

Sources:

Dangers of AI: https://www.forbes.com/sites/andreamorris/2026/09/13/what-made-ai-researchers-freak-out-the-incident-in-plain-english/

Beans, the sustainable food: https://beaninstitute.com/beans-beans-the-sustainable-food/

Integrating beans with grain agriculture: https://cultivatingflora.com/ideas-for-integrating-legumes-with-grains-in-north-dakota-farming/

Production facts : https://usdrybeans.com/industry/production-facts/

Adaptation to drought : https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378377424006164

Comparison between plant based proteins and animal proteins: https://www.sciencedirect.com › science › article › pii › S0308521X24002932

https://humaneherald.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/calories-and-protein-produced-per-acre-1.pdf

GMO soybean:https://www.nongmoproject.org/blog/the-gmo-high-risk-list-soybeans/

Dirty Dozen / Clean Fifteen :https://organicfoodguides.com/dirty-dozen-and-clean-fifteen/

Desiccants like diquat and glyphosate: https://www.realagriculture.com/edible-bean-school/edible-bean-school-timing-desiccation-for-maximum-yield-quality/ https://usrtk.org/healthwire/diquat-herbicide-poisons-the-gut-may-severely-damage-other-organs/ https://usrtk.org/pesticides/glyphosate-health-concerns/

History of the World in Twelve Beans by JOËL BROEKAERT https://www.letterenfonds.nl/en/books/a-history-of-the-world-in-twelve-beans

History https://www.kelleybean.com/consumers/bean-history/

Protein is everywhere. From protein bars and shakes to high-protein yogurts, cereals, snacks and even everyday foods, the message seems unavoidable: we need more protein.

But where did this obsession come from — and who benefits from it?

In this episode, we look beyond the "protein maxxing" trends  to examine the science behind our protein needs, the potential health consequences of excessive or unbalanced consumption, and the environmental costs of producing more animal protein. Like, did you know whey wasa waste product of cheese manufacturing?

We also explore the politics and culture surrounding the protein boom. How has the idea of “more protein, more strength, more masculinity” become intertwined with online fitness culture and parts of the contemporary right-wing movement? And how are influencers, food companies and political narratives helping shape what we believe our bodies should look like — and what we should eat?

Are we really facing a protein deficiency — or have we been sold a powerful story about what it means to be healthy, strong and successful?

Sources :

Intro: https://annescollege.fsu.edu/blog/protein-craze-fsu-expert-explains-why-behind-high-protein-diet

Proteins bros : you might have been be getting scammed https://www.npr.org/2025/01/30/nx-s1-5270923/protein-seems-to-suddenly-be-everywhere-heres-why

A few products selected by Men’health that look just like ultra processed stuff https://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/g64308976/best-high-protein-products/

Protein sources https://grokipedia.com/page/High-Protein_Trend_in_Packaged_Foods

Whey into the environment https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266615432400317X

Consumption of whey more than cheese https://www.theguardian.com/business/ng-interactive/2026/jul/02/whey-protein-boom-proteinmaxxing-demand

https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/lifestyle/whey-protein-shortage-sparks-shortage-fears-after-brands-rushed-to-hop-on-trend-b2995465.html

Clean Label Study https://cleanlabelproject.org/protein-study/

https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2026/03/how-much-protein.html

In this episode, we look at hydration and replenishing electrolytes: The misleading claims of hydration drinks, Real hydration home made with natural products and How icy drinks may not be as refreshing as it seems.

The Choice is Yours is a serie of monthly episodes about consumer's choices and its impacts on the environement and our health. Inicially, this is a live show on KMUD Radio in Northern California. 

List of references for this episode :

Back to last month subject: Forest Stewardship Certification’s weaknesses

www.lemonde.fr/en/les-decodeurs/article/2023/03/01/investigation-reveals-flaws-in-responsible-wood-certification-system_6017835_8.html https://news.mongabay.com/2025/09/critics-say-fsc-update-risks-weakening-accountability-for-forest-harm/ https://www.dw.com/en/deforestation-inc-how-green-firms-prevent-climate-action/a-64851705 https://www.icij.org/investigations/deforestation-inc/auditors-green-labels-sustainability-environmental-harm/

Does silicon shed microplastic? 

https://theecoshift.com/does-silicone-have-microplastics/

Ice consumption  America vs Europe: 

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/why-dont-other-countries-use-ice-cubes-50361097/

Impact on health of cold or hot drinks

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/cold-and-hot-consumption-and-health-outcomes-among-us-asian-and-white-populations/8C45B97637E237244531C653E42D024E

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/cold-water-vs-warm-water

https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/did-you-know/drink-hot-drinks-hot-weather-cool-down-faster

Electrolytes 

https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/Do-Electrolytes-Really-Boost-Hydration

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8471852/

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/best-electrolyte-sources

https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthy-aging-and-longevity/using-food-to-stay-hydrated

In this episode, we take a closer look at the hidden impacts of one of our most everyday products: toilet paper.

We'll explore how our demand for toilet paper affects Canada's boreal forest, Brazil's eucalyptus plantations, and the forests of the southern United States. But the story doesn't end with trees. Many toilet paper products also contain potentially harmful contaminants, including PFAS ("forever chemicals") and chlorine-based compounds, raising important questions about their impact on both human health and the environment.

The good news? There are better options. We'll break down what you need to know about recycled and bamboo toilet paper, bidets, mullein leaves, and a few other surprising alternatives that could make your bathroom routine a little more sustainable.

Can bamboo help solve climate change? In this episode we explore why bamboo is becoming one of the fastest-growing sustainable industries in the world. From carbon capture and renewable building materials to biodegradable packaging, bamboo textiles, and surprising health benefits, discover why scientists, entrepreneurs, and environmentalists are calling bamboo one of the most valuable plants for a greener future.

In this episode, we’re stepping into the world of shoes. But first—what if we didn’t wear them at all? Walking barefoot: more natural, cheaper, and maybe even healthier. Still, for most of us, shoes are a daily essential. So what are they really doing to our bodies? From high heels to running shoes to flip-flops, we break down the health impacts of what we put on our feet.

Then there’s the environmental side. We buy a lot of shoes—and all those plastics, dyes, and synthetic materials add up fast, leaving a much bigger footprint than we might think.

But it’s not all bad news. A wave of innovative, sustainable brands is changing the game—rethinking how shoes are made, from safer materials to better working conditions. We’ll explore alternatives like cotton, bamboo, cork, natural foams, and more—solutions that are easier on the planet, kinder to workers, and that don’t rely on animal exploitation.

Because in the end, the choice is yours: what kind of footprint do you want to leave behind?

References:

Shoe consumption per age https://www.restonyc.com/what-age-buys-the-most-shoes/

Bare feet, minimal footwear and conventional footwear health impacts https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11899058/

Effects of footwear on biomechanics of the body https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844025012514

The effects of grounding, walking barefoot https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4378297/

Hill shoes health issues https://footwearmagazine.com/cleveland-clinic-high-heels-foot-problems/

Flip flops health isuues https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5862437/

CO2eq emissions per product https://www.co2everything.com/a-z

CO2 emissions of shoes production https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/14/6094

Environmental impacts of shoes https://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/49925/20220315/the-impact-of-the-shoe-industry-on-the-environment.htm

Kangoroos killed for leather for shoes The Truth About Leather & How it is Made | Animals Australia

Nine major athletic brands end kangaroo leather use in historic win

Eco friendly solutions

Materials : 10 Eco-Friendly Materials Used In The Making Of Sustainable Shoes | GreenSmartEco.com

Brands: 15 Best Sustainable Shoe Brands For 2026 - The Good Trade

Rain boots : 9 Sustainable Rain Boots For Naturally Green Puddle Play

In this episode, The Choice is Yours team looks into seeds. As a consumer, a gardener, which seeds should I plant ? F1, hybrid, heirloom, home made, GMO? How our gardens can help protect biodiversity? What is the Seed banks' work? Is Seed Savers Exchange a good option ? What is Bill Gtes doing with seeds in Africa? How bad are the seeds from the supermarket? All that and more. 

References : 

About Eating to Extinction: The World’s Rarest Foods and Why We Need to Save Them, by Dan Saladino. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/apr/17/dan-saladino-food-diversity

The productivism point of view https://betternutritionnews.com/can-people-eat-more-today-than-20-years-ago/

Key messages from FAO’s International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/42209587-33f1-4546-9f56-35947af496b8/content

English Royal Botanic Garden and seed bank podcast https://www.kew.org/about-us/virtual-kew-wakehurst/unearthed-kew-podcast

About Bill Gates continuing the GMO crusade in Africa

https://www.thenation.com/article/world/new-colonialist-food-economy/

https://mg.co.za/africa/2024-09-03-bill-gates-plays-god-in-africas-agriculture-and-gets-it-wrong/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinero/2024/09/02/why-african-groups-want-reparations-from-the-gates-foundation/

Here is a clip of Vandana Shiva talking about Bill Gates and his role in seed banks : https://www.instagram.com/reels/DU19gQ1FULO/

Article by Vandana Shiva https://navdanyainternational.org/one-empire-over-seed-control-over-the-worlds-seed-banks/

A healthy microbiome comes with diversity https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4837298/

About GMO https://www.nongmoproject.org,

cornell.edu

healthline.com 

 Iamcountryside.com 

rivieraproduce.com 

In this episode, we trace how coffee fueled the rise of industrialization and capitalism — keeping factories running and workers awake — before diving deep into the world of modern coffee shops.

From cozy local cafés to global corporate chains, we unpack what’s really brewing behind the counter: union battles and worker strikes, slavery investigations in supply chains, the staggering amounts of added sugar in popular drinks, and even the pesticides found in certain blends.

All that, and more, in your daily cup.

In this episode, Doro, Dani, and Sheila take you on a journey through the world of coffee — from its origins in Ethiopia to the realities of deforestation and modern-day slavery in Brazil.

Next month, we’ll focus on coffee shops. But for now, we’re starting at home with ground coffee. Who are the biggest ground coffee brands in the U.S., and how sustainable are they? Which certifications can you trust? Is truly sustainable coffee even possible? What’s the story behind “shade-grown” coffee? How to save birds through buying your coffe ? And is coffee actually good for your health?

All that — and so much more — in this deep dive into what’s really in your cup.

In this episode, we are talking about the numerous health benefits of potatoes, but also their entry in the EWG's Dirty Dozen and their GMO versions. From the Andes to McDonalds, potatoes are the 4th biggest crop in the world, it was about time to understand it a bit more.