Thanks to the standard Western diet and our busy modern lifestyles, gut health issues like acid reflux and diverticular disease have become so common that we almost accept them as normal.

In this live episode recorded in Washington D.C. with Chuck Carroll of The Exam Room Podcast, I break down what’s really driving these gut problems — and how the food on your plate can be your most powerful medicine.

We dive into the science behind gut-friendly diets, the essential role of fibre, and why millions of people are set up for gut issues by a low-fibre, meat-heavy diet. I also share a story from a visit to a U.S. pharmacy that made the connection between diet, disease, and drugstore shelves all too clear.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why diverticular disease has become so common in countries following a Western-style diet
• How fibre protects your gut — and how low-fibre diets increase hospitalisations
• What you need to know about acid reflux and GERD — and how to treat the root cause, not just the symptoms
• The problem with relying on antacids long-term
• Why high-fat meals can make reflux worse — and the case for a high-fibre, low-fat diet
• The gut health red flags I spotted in the pharmacy aisle
• The simple, evidence-based changes that can transform your gut health

If you or someone you care about is struggling with gut symptoms — or just wants to support long-term gut health — this episode is packed with practical advice and powerful insights.

If you enjoyed this conversation then you’ll love: The Exam Room Podcast from the Physicians Committee.

Follow Chuck Carroll: on Instagram

Want more gut health insights?  The Real Science Behind Gut Health And Food Intolerances - What Everybody With Gut Problems Needs To Know.

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Shop their entire range at linwoodshealthfoods.com and use code DESMOND for a 15% saving and free delivery.

“You get more out of your workout when you’re fueled by plants. That’s the whole point.”

Today, I’m joined by two leading voices in plant-based fitness—Robert Cheeke, former champion bodybuilder, and Matt Frazier, ultrarunner and founder of No Meat Athlete - to explain why a plant-based diet may be the key to unlocking world class athletic performance. 

Together, they co-authored the New York Times bestseller The Plant-Based Athlete: A Game-Changing Approach to Peak Performance and in this episode, they share everything you need to know to fuel your body, build muscle, and smash your personal fitness goals - with plants.

We discuss:

• The science behind faster recovery and greater endurance on a plant-based diet
• How to meet your protein needs—without obsessing over powders
• What elite athletes actually eat in a day (spoiler: there’s no one-size-fits-all)
• Why plant-based performance is no longer a secret weapon—it’s a competitive edge

Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a seasoned athlete, this conversation is packed with actionable advice to help you train smarter, recover faster, and thrive on plants.

Get the book: The Plant-Based Athlete: A Game-Changing Approach to Peak Performance

Follow Robert on Instagram: @robert.cheeke

Follow Matt and the No Meat Athlete community: @nomeatathlete_official

Learn more: www.nomeatathlete.com

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Sponsored by Linwoods Healthfoods.
Shop their entire range at linwoodshealthfoods.com and use code DESMOND for a 15% saving and free delivery.

“Guilt and shame are the enemies of sustainable change. Compassion and understanding are the keys.”

Dr. Melanie Joy is a Harvard-educated psychologist, author, and one of the world’s foremost experts on the psychology of food choices. Dr. Joy’s groundbreaking book, Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows, explores the invisible belief system she calls “carnism,” which conditions us to eat certain animals while loving and caring for others.

In this episode, we dive into the psychology of our dietary choices, the ethical implications of animal agriculture, and the powerful ways we can align our actions with our values. Melanie’s insights are as thought-provoking as they are empowering, offering a fresh perspective on how we think about food and its impact on the world around us.

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Sponsored by Linwoods Healthfoods.
Shop their entire range at linwoodshealthfoods.com and use code DESMOND for a 15% saving and free delivery.

“If an absolute amateur can grow organic veg at home and begin to feed a community — so can you.”

From sprouting seeds on a shelf to launching a transparent, mission-driven supplement brand, Harold Craston shares his journey with Shhine - built on sustainability, simplicity, and local organic farming.

Harold also opens up about supporting his father through a terminal cancer diagnosis - and how this transformed his own approach to health and nutrition.

Whether you're curious about growing your own nutrient-dense food with minimal fuss, or seeking ways to support your health and that of your loved ones, this inspiring conversation will encourage you to start small, think local, and create meaningful change from the ground up.

Learn more about Shhine’s mission: www.Shhine.co

Connect with Harold and Shhine: Instagram 

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Sponsored by Linwoods Healthfoods.
Shop their entire range at linwoodshealthfoods.com and use code DESMOND for a 15% saving and free delivery.

Zoologist turned NHS Dietitian Rosie Martin changed careers - to save more lives.

Today, I’m joined by Registered Dietitian Rosie Martin, who shares her powerful journey from zoologist to NHS dietitian and plant-based advocate.

Tune in for some incredible insights on

- Advocating for positive dietary change within the healthcare system. 
- What to say to people who ask, “where do you get your protein?”
- How the “one health” approach links animal welfare and human health.

Rosie also shares her tips on staying grounded and kind—even when you’re the only plant-based voice in the room.

Follow Rosie on Instagram: @plantdietitianrosie

Sign up for Rosie's free masterclass: The 3 Secrets to Banish Cravings and Lose Weight on a Plant-Based Diet.

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Sponsored by Linwoods Healthfoods.
Shop their entire range at linwoodshealthfoods.com and use code DESMOND for a 15% saving and free delivery.

Dr. Neal Barnard returns for Part Two—this time joining me to take questions from the audience at our recent sold-out Live Podcast. Listen in as we weigh in on: 

• How plant-based eating is entering mainstream medical practice
• Why precision nutrition isn’t ready for primetime
• The truth about saturated fat and heart disease
• How plant-based diets support athletic performance
• Why plant protein is high-quality protein

Practical, inspiring, and deeply human—this is nutritional wisdom from one of the world’s leading experts - Dr Neal Barnard.

Listen now and share with someone ready to feel their best through food.

Join the audience: The Eat This Podcast LIVE on Wednesday May 14th, Exeter UK.

I highly recommend Dr. Barnard’s latest book The Power Foods Diet :The Breakthrough Plan That Traps, Tames, and Burns Calories for Easy and Permanent Weight Loss

Connect with Dr Neal Barnard on Instagram and Twitter/X

Learn more about: The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

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Connect with Dr Alan Desmond Instagram Threads X/Twitter

Sponsored by Linwoods Healthfoods.
Shop their entire range at linwoodshealthfoods.com and use code DESMOND for a 15% saving and free delivery.

Yogurt is a multi-billion dollar industry - and is heavily advertised as a gut microbiome-boosting super food. But what does the scientific literature actually tell us about yogurt and gut health? 

• The History of Yogurt: How yogurt became a Western staple, moving from niche food to health product.
• What Science Actually Says About Yogurt: Why those ‘live probiotic cultures’ never reach your microbiome.
• Is Kefir Truly a Superior Option for Gut Health?
• Plant-Based Alternatives: Can non-dairy options like soy yogurt offer better health benefits?
• Environmental Impact: Comparing the carbon footprint of dairy yogurt versus plant-based alternatives.
• Final Verdict: Is yogurt really essential for better gut health, or is it all just clever marketing?

I hope this episode helps you look beyond the advertising and make evidence-based choices that genuinely safeguard your digestive health.

Links to some of the key papers mentioned in today’s episode: 

Long-term dietary patterns are associated with pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory features of the gut microbiome.

Effects of Regular Kefir Consumption on Gut Microbiota in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: A Parallel-Group, Randomized, Controlled Study

Is consuming yoghurt associated with weight management outcomes? Results from a systematic review

The Effects of Kefir and Kefir Components on Immune and Metabolic Physiology in Pre-Clinical Studies: A Narrative Review

A comparison of the nutritional profile and nutrient density of commercially available plant-based and dairy yogurts in the United State

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Sponsored by Linwoods Healthfoods.
Shop their entire range at linwoodshealthfoods.com and use code DESMOND for a 15% saving and free delivery.

“Momentum breeds momentum. Don’t ever feel like you’re not making a difference—because I promise, you are.”

Today, we're sitting down with sustainability advocate Klaus Mitchell, the powerhouse behind Plant Based News. If you’ve watched a viral video about veganism, sustainability, or plant-based health in the last decade—there’s a good chance Klaus and his team were behind it.

With an online platform reaching over 85 million people every month, Klaus has helped shape influential Netflix documentaries, interviewed A-list changemakers like Joaquin Phoenix, and taken the stage at the UN’s COP climate conference to advocate for a better food system.

In this inspiring conversation, Klaus takes us behind the scenes—from launching Plant Based News in his parents’ back garden greenhouse to becoming one of the most impactful media voices in the global movement for sustainable food.

We explore the realities of burnout, misinformation, and advocacy —and why hope and storytelling remain our most powerful tools. A timely reminder that each of us can drive positive change, every single day.

Follow Klaus Mitchell: Instagram X/Twitter KlausMItchell.com

Follow Plant Based News: Instagram X/Twitter YouTube.com

Tune in: Plant Based News Podcast

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Sponsored by Linwoods Healthfoods.
Shop their entire range at linwoodshealthfoods.com and use code DESMOND for a 15% saving and free delivery.

‘There are certain foods, when you bring them into your life, things begin to change dramatically’

Dr. Neal Barnard shares remarkable insights from his groundbreaking research on nutrition, weight management, and chronic disease prevention. We discuss the everyday foods that can help you achieve and maintain a healthy body weight while promoting overall well-being. This is an inspiring conversation filled with practical tips and actionable advice that I know you’ll find valuable.

One of the most influential voices in nutrition and disease prevention—Dr Neal Barnard is a leading clinical researcher with over 140 scientific publications on the benefits of a healthy diet, a best-selling author, and the founder of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. I was deeply honored that he traveled from Washington, DC, to join me for a live event in Exeter. I'm thrilled to share his wisdom with you today!

I highly recommend Dr. Barnard’s latest book The Power Foods Diet :The Breakthrough Plan That Traps, Tames, and Burns Calories for Easy and Permanent Weight Loss

Connect with Dr Neal Barnard on Instagram and Twitter/X

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Sponsored by Linwoods Healthfoods.
Shop their entire range at linwoodshealthfoods.com and use code DESMOND for a 15% saving and free delivery.

One of the most common questions I’m asked is: “Why do you recommend a plant-based diet?”

The answer is simple: I want the best possible outcomes for my patients. As a doctor, I believe we have a duty to use every evidence-based tool available—and healthy dietary change is one of the most powerful tools we have.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Clare Day and Dr. Daisy Lund, hosts of the incredible “In a Nut Shell Podcast,” to share my journey to becoming a doctor who champions plant-based eating. From my early days in medicine to the patients who inspired me to explore the science of food, and the mentors who helped me rethink my approach, this is a conversation about how we can all become more effective advocates for a healthier, more sustainable food system. You’ll also find out what’s usually in my fridge!

Thank you to Dr. Clare Day and Dr. Daisy Lund for their help with this episode. I highly recommend that you add their In A Nut Shell Podcast to your regular listening. 

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Sponsored by Linwoods Healthfoods.
Shop their entire range at linwoodshealthfoods.com and use code DESMOND for a 15% saving and free delivery.