Carbs are one of the most misunderstood aspects of nutrition. For decades, they’ve been praised, demonized, and debated. Today, low-carb diets are everywhere, but the reality is more nuanced. While over 80% of the carbs we eat come from low-quality, refined sources, the right kinds of carbs are essential for good health.

In this episode, Professor Tim Spector breaks down the difference between good and bad carbs and explains why quality matters more than quantity. He explores how the rise of ultra-processed foods has led to an overconsumption of unhealthy carbohydrates, contributing to energy crashes, hunger, and long-term health issues. He also explains the benefits of fiber-rich carbs, their role in gut health, and why cutting carbs entirely may not be the best approach.

The episode also answers common questions about carbs, including the best time to eat them, how to pair them for better digestion, and whether alternatives like almond flour are actually healthier. Tim also shares practical tips, such as why freezing bread might be a simple way to make it better for you.

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Timecodes:

00:00 Introduction

01:39 Quickfire questions

03:06 What is a carb?

07:43 Is rice healthy?

08:56 What makes sugars unhealthy?

11:49 Truth about sugar spikes

14:49 Potatoes, white rice, bread and pasta

18:44 'Big Food' industry

21:22 What is a good carb?

27:32 Effects of low carb diets

33:18 Effects on mood & energy

36:25 Tim's favourite carbs

39:48 When should you eat carbs?

41:47 Eating carbs with other foods

46:45 Should you freeze bread?

50:33 The healthiest rice

50:53 Is multigrain and wholemeal healthy?

56:20 Should you consume flour?

59:45 Easy way to improve healthy carb intake

📚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

Trends in Dietary Carbohydrate, Protein, and Fat Intake and Diet Quality Among US Adults, 1999-2016, 2019, published in  Journal of the American Medical Association

Carbohydrate intake for adults and children: WHO guideline, 2023, published by World Health Organization

Association between changes in carbohydrate intake and long term weight changes: prospective cohort study, 2023, published in British Medical Journal

Low-Carbohydrate Diet, 2023, published in National Library of Medicine 

Diet Review: Ketogenic Diet for Weight Loss, published by The Nutrition Source, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health

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

Episode transcripts are available here.

In 2025, global spending on skincare products is expected to approach 200 billion dollars. It’s an astonishing figure, but not entirely surprising when you consider the social value we place on this organ. 

Our skin can reflect our age, health, and even our emotions. So, how can we make smarter choices this year and invest in products that truly support our skin?

In this episode, I was joined by Sarah Berry alongside my wife, dermatologist Dr. Justine Kluk, to help us better understand this fascinating organ.

🥑 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

Could optimizing your sleep significantly extend your lifespan?

In this episode, we dive deep into the science of longevity with Bryan Johnson, the entrepreneur spending millions to reverse aging, and Professor Tim Spector, one of the world’s top 100 most-cited scientists and an expert in nutrition and the microbiome.

Bryan has dedicated his life—and his body—to testing cutting-edge health interventions to slow down aging. His meticulous approach to sleep, diet, and exercise has sparked global debate.

But how much of it is backed by science? Tim Spector joins the conversation to separate fact from fiction, revealing what actually works when it comes to sleep, longevity, and optimizing health.

🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST

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Timecodes

00:00 No.1 anti aging hack

02:05 Quickfire questions

04:01 Bryan’s longevity protocol

06:20 Biological age markers

08:16 How to measure aging

13:40 Can AI help stop aging?

18:50 What science can we trust?

21:40 Bryan’s self-experiments

25:40 The most surprising sleep discovery

31:20 The McDonald’s diet

34:10 How to self experiment

37:15 Transfusing his son’s blood

39:50 Fecal transplants

41:26 Is Bryan’s daily diet healthy?

46:30 Truth about vitamin supplements

📚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

Reviewing the cardiovascular and other health effects of olive oil: Limitations and future directions of current supplement formulations, 2023, published in Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases 

Mortality Associated with Short Sleep Duration: The Evidence, The Possible Mechanisms, and The Future, 2011, published in Sleep Medicine Reviews 

Sleep regularity is a stronger predictor of mortality risk than sleep duration: A prospective cohort study, 2024, published in Sleep https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article/47/1/zsad253/7280269

Objectively Assessed Cardiorespiratory Fitness and All-Cause Mortality Risk, 2022, published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings

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

Episode transcripts are available here.

Today we’re considering mindfulness.

Improving your health often comes with certain sacrifices. You might need to sacrifice time to exercise or money for specialised equipment and food. But mindfulness is different. It doesn’t demand our time or cost money. Instead, it suggests we can enhance our health simply by changing the way we think.

So, is it really possible to think our way to better health? And if so, where do we begin?

In this episode, Harvard professor Ellen Langer joined me to delve into the magical connection between mind and body.

🥑 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

Staying fit isn’t just for athletes - it’s a lifelong commitment that evolves with age. But how do we maintain strength, resilience, and motivation through different life stages?

In this episode, Gabby Reece, legendary volleyball player and fitness leader, shares how she has adapted her training over nearly 40 years. From her peak as a professional athlete to balancing fitness with motherhood and now prioritizing longevity at 54, Gabby reveals what has kept her consistent and injury-free.

She’s joined by Dr. Federica Amati, Head Nutritionist at ZOE and best-selling author of Every Body Should Know This, who explains how our movement and nutritional needs change over time. Together, they discuss the science behind exercise at every age, why midlife fitness is crucial for preventing frailty, and practical strategies to stay active for the long run.

Whether you're starting fresh or looking to refine your routine, this episode will inspire you to train smarter and stay strong for life.

🥑 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

🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at http://zoe.com

Staying fit isn’t just for athletes - it’s a lifelong commitment that evolves with age. But how do we maintain strength, resilience, and motivation through different life stages?

In this episode, Gabby Reece, legendary volleyball player and fitness leader, shares how she has adapted her training over nearly 40 years. From her peak as a professional athlete to balancing fitness with motherhood and now prioritizing longevity at 54, Gabby reveals what has kept her consistent and injury-free.

She’s joined by Dr. Federica Amati, Head Nutritionist at ZOE and best-selling author of Every Body Should Know This, who explains how our movement and nutritional needs change over time. Together, they discuss the science behind exercise at every age, why midlife fitness is crucial for preventing frailty, and practical strategies to stay active for the long run.

Whether you're starting fresh or looking to refine your routine, this episode will inspire you to train smarter and stay strong for life.

🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily30: https://zoe.com/daily30?utm_medium=zoe_podcast&utm_source=podcast_platform&utm_campaign=d30

Follow ZOE on Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

Timecodes

00:00 Introduction

01:57 Quickfire questions

03:50 From college kid to pro-athlete

05:30 Risks of repetitive exercise

06:05 Best injury prevention tips

07:10 Prehab vs rehab

12:20 Fitness during pregnancy

17:20 Keeping fit with a family

22:12 How to workout in your 50s

24:30 How to age better

27:44 This makes you feel better instantly

29:20 The truth about core workouts

31:48 Foot strength in older age

35:40 3 ways to stick to your fitness plan

42:28 You need this everyday

46:35 Get outside for this many minutes each day

48:10 Give yourself a 90 day reset

📚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 

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

Episode transcripts are available here.

Are meat alternatives healthy?

It’s well known that many of us should reduce our red meat intake - and chances are, a lot of you already have. However, the craving for that meaty flavour - the desire to sink your teeth into a nice juicy burger can still linger. It’s no surprise then, that supermarket shelves are now stocked with a growing variety of fake meat products.

However, are these meat alternatives actually any healthier?

Stanford Professor Christopher Gardner joins us to discuss his randomised control trial comparing the health effects of red meat against its plant-based counterparts.

🥑 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

Oatmeal has long been considered a heart-healthy breakfast, but is it really as good for us as we think?

In this episode, Jonathan and Sarah break down the great oat debate. First, they explore the different types of oats - instant, rolled, and steel-cut and how processing impacts their nutritional value. Then, they put oats to the test using continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), comparing instant to steel-cut, with and without toppings, to demonstrate how blood sugar works.

Sarah also discusses wider debates around oats: Are pesticides a concern? Is oat milk as healthy as it claims? Finally, she shares the ultimate guide to choosing the healthiest oats - and for those who prefer alternatives, she’s got delicious, nutrient-packed swaps to try.

🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST

🌱 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 The breakfast of champions?

01:40 Quickfire questions

03:17 What are oats?

05:03 Oats vs wheat

08:20 What are instant oats?

09:58 Are oats good for your heart?

12:20 ZOE’s oats experiment

19:20 Blood glucose test

25:18 What spikes blood sugar?

28:35 How the body breaks down carbs

33:25 Latest science: are oats healthy?

35:00 Oats and cholesterol

39:30 Healthy vitamins in oats

40:57 Oats vs pesticides

45:06 Is oat milk healthy?

49:30 Oatmeal recipe ideas

📚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

Oatmeal particle size alters glycemic index but not as a function of gastric emptying rate, 2017, Nutrient Sensing, Nutrition, and Metabolism

Urinary pesticide concentrations in French adults with low and high organic food consumption: results from the general population-based NutriNet-Santé, 2019, Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology 

Oat Intake and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease and All-Cause Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, 2021, Nutrients

The effect of oat β-glucan on LDL-cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol and apoB for CVD risk reduction: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised-controlled trials, 2016, British Journal of Nutrition

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

Episode transcripts are available here.

Today we tackle menstruation.

Despite affecting half the world’s population for a significant part of their lives, menstruation remains clouded by taboo. This lack of open conversation can leave women without the knowledge they need to address pain, discomfort, or irregularities associated with their period.

So, what signs should raise concern when it comes to menstruation, and how can we manage symptoms effectively?

Professor Sarah Berry and Dr. Jen Gunter join us to break the silence around menstruation.

🥑 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

Arthritis affects millions worldwide. 1 in 5 adults in the U.S suffer with it and many people assume it’s an inevitable part of aging. Bu what if you could reduce joint pain and inflammation through diet and lifestyle?

In this episode, Dr. Tamiko Katsumoto, Clinical Associate Professor at Stanford University, unpacks the science behind arthritis. She explains the key differences between osteoarthritis, caused by wear and tear on joints, and rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks healthy tissue. While there is no cure for arthritis, Tamiko reveals why chronic inflammation plays a central role - and how the modern diet is making things worse.

Tamiko shares evidence-based strategies to reduce inflammation naturally, including the best foods to support joint health and whether supplements and lifestyle changes can make a real difference.

If you or someone you know suffers from joint pain, this episode is packed with insights to help you take control of your 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 Can you reverse arthritis?

03:35 What is arthritis?

05:10 How joints work

06:49 Signs of arthritis

11:31 Osteoarthritis explained

12:29 Rheumatoid arthritis explained

14:09 New treatments

15:00 How effective is medication?

15:59 Role of inflammation

20:26 Tamiko’s plant-based eating study

30:30 Can you feel your diet choices in your body?

34:20 Gut microbiome and arthritis

36:20 Does inflammation cause cancer? 

42:02 Is our diet causing disease?

44:00 Anti-inflammatory diet pattern

46:02 Foods to detoxify your body

48:23 Does oily fish help arthritis? 

50:05 The role of prebiotics

53:02 Are probiotic capsules worth it?

📚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

A multidisciplinary lifestyle program for rheumatoid arthritis: the 'Plants for Joints' randomized controlled trial, 2023, published in Rheumatology

A multidisciplinary lifestyle program for metabolic syndrome-associated osteoarthritis: the "Plants for Joints" randomized controlled trial, 2023, published in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage

Gut-microbiota-targeted diets modulate human immune status, 2021, published in Cell

High-fiber diet associated with improved progression-free survival and response to immunotherapy in melanoma patients, 2021, published by MD Anderson

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

Episode transcripts are available here.

Today we’re diving into coffee.

Most of us are greeted by its earthy aroma every single morning. It’s hot bitter taste signaling that the day has officially begun. Coffee is so ingrained into our daily routine we rarely pause to consider the effect of coffee on our health. 

So, what is coffee, a health-boosting elixir or just another guilty pleasure?

Coffee expert James Hoffmann joins us to explore one of the world's most popular drinks.

🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member a zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST

🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily30+

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

📚 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