ZOE Science & Nutrition

ZOE Science & Nutrition

Download on the App Store
  • Ranking

    2nd

    on Nutrition

  • Favorites

    2,889

    Followers

  • Typical duration

    46 min

    per episode

  • If it hooks

    57%

    finish an episode

Based on Podcast App listening data

ZOE Science & Nutrition episodes

  • Recap: Scrappy ways to eat healthier and save money | Carleigh Bodrug & Will Bulsiewicz

    Today we’re talking about something we’re all guilty of: food waste.

    A forgotten yogurt at the back of the fridge, a stale hunk of bread, a bag of dry wilted greens. 

    They may seem insignificant on their own, but collectively, in every kitchen across the world they add up to a global environmental crisis.

    So, can we change the way we approach food and help curb this epidemic of waste?

    I’m joined by Carleigh Bodrug and Dr. Will Bulsiewicz to show us how a few simple changes can lead to a greener home, better health, and even a lower grocery bill.

    🌱 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 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

    Ferment 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 

    Better Breakfast Guide

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


    Listen to the full episode here

    13 min
  • What to eat (and avoid) in a world full of plastic | Dr. Sabine Donnai

    Plastic is everywhere. In our homes, on our streets, in our oceans. But recent research suggests it’s also inside us: in our blood, our organs, even our brain. So how concerned should we be?

    Today, Jonathan and Dr. Federica Amati are joined by longevity doctor and clinician Dr. Sabine Donnai to explore one critical question: what does plastic exposure mean for our long-term health? 

    Dr. Donnai breaks down how microplastics travel from packaging, food, and air into our bloodstream, and why their size means they may cross biological barriers once thought impenetrable, including the blood-brain barrier. The conversation also looks at the broader health implications of plastic-associated chemicals like BPA, their potential links to hormone disruption, inflammation, and cardiovascular risk, and why avoiding them may be especially important for those living in urban areas.

    For listeners keen to take practical steps, this episode offers simple and empowering guidance. Dr. Donnai shares specific tools that can reduce your exposure without creating unnecessary fear or overwhelm. You’ll also hear how diet plays a key role in supporting your body’s natural detox processes and why a colourful, fibre-rich diet may help us all manage the modern plastic burden.

    If plastics are entering your brain and bloodstream, what does it mean for your future health? And how much control do we really have in a world built on plastic?

    Unwrap the truth about your food 👉 ⁠Get the ZOE app 

    🌱 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 Intro

    03:20 Plastic production has doubled- why isn’t it slowing down?

    05:55 What exactly are microplastics?

    07:15 Why microplastics are in the air you breathe

    09:10 The hidden plastic in your tumble dryer

    11:10 How long do microplastics last?

    12:20 Sushi trays, black plastic & hidden fire retardants

    14:55 Are BPA-free plastics actually safe?

    16:10 Plastic bottles aren’t inert - your water isn't safe

    18:00 Hundreds of thousands of plastic particles - in every bottle

    20:00 Tap water: bacteria-free but full of toxins

    22:50 What does plastic do inside your body?

    23:50 Plastic in your brain has doubled since 2016

    25:40 The nose-to-brain highway: how plastic bypasses defenses

    27:00 Who's going to volunteer for a clinical trial of plastic ingestion?

    30:10 We’ve never found a patient without plastic in their blood

    32:00 Microplastics found in artery plaque of stroke victims

    34:30 Are plastics worse than saturated fat for heart attacks?

    35:45 Plastics and hormone disruption: the hidden fertility threat

    36:00 The BPA bomb in your shopping receipt

    39:00 Which foods contain the most plastic?

    41:00 The vegetables that actually help detox plastic

    42:30 How to reduce your plastic exposure without going insane

    43:30 The #1 habit to reduce plastic exposure at home

    45:30 Cookware swaps that protect your health

    47:15 Can you detox plastics with diet? Yes.


    📚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

    Ferment 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 

    Better Breakfast Guide

    ZOE’s Holiday Hosting Guide


    Mentioned in today's episode

    Bioaccumulation of microplastics in decedent human brains, Nature Medicine (2025)

    Bisphenol-A and Female Fertility: An Update of Existing Epidemiological Studies,  Journal of Clinical Medicine (2022)

    Fenugreek and Okra Polymers as Treatment Agents for the Removal of Microplastics from Water Sources, ACS Omega (2025)

    Rapid single-particle chemical imaging of nanoplastics by SRS microscopy, PNAS (2023)


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

    Episode transcripts are available here.

    57 min
  • Recap: Understanding endometriosis and PCOS | Dr Jen Ashton

    Today we’re talking about gynaecological health.

    Conditions like endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome are more common than might think. Yet they’re often misunderstood, frequently undiagnosed, and are all too easily dismissed.

    That’s why it’s essential for us to build a clear understanding of these conditions: How lifestyle factors can influence them, and when it’s time to seek expert care.

    America’s gynecologist, Dr Jen Ashton, joins me to break down these complex conditions. Helping you to feel more informed and empowered in your own body.

    🌱 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 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

    Ferment 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 

    Better Breakfast Guide


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


    Listen to the full episode here

    12 min
  • Fermented foods: what to eat to cut inflammation | Prof. Tim Spector

    Are fermented foods the missing link in our health, or just the latest wellness trend? 

    In this episode, Professor Tim Spector, a world-leading scientist in gut health and co-founder of ZOE, challenges what we think we know about yogurt, cheese, kombucha, and more.

    Tim uncovers why milk and cheese aren’t the same in your body - and the surprising science showing cheese might not be the heart villain it was once made out to be. He also shares emerging evidence that fermented foods could influence inflammation, immunity, metabolism, and even mood, often in a matter of weeks.

    From a groundbreaking Stanford study to insights from ZOE’s research on 9,000 people, this episode reveals why fermented foods are more powerful, and more misunderstood, than most of us realise.

    Tim breaks down the easiest ways to actually eat more fermented foods without overhauling your life. By the end, you’ll be questioning what’s in your fridge - and wondering if one tiny daily habit could do far more than you’d ever expect.


    Unwrap the truth about your food 👉 ⁠Get the ZOE app 

    🌱 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 Introduction

    04:00 The critical difference between healthy fermentation and rotting

    09:55 What 'double fermented' food means (and why it's better for you)

    11:23 The cheese paradox: why is it so much healthier than milk?

    14:12 Why you shouldn't be afraid of 'chemicals' in your food

    17:02 Common fermented foods you didn't even know you were eating

    18:47 The surprising reason microbes in beer and bread are killed

    20:10 Surprising new science: the health benefits of dead microbes

    22:07 Why did English-speaking countries stop eating fermented foods?

    24:05 What is the real difference between pickling and fermenting?

    26:55 The groundbreaking Stanford study that proved the power of fermented foods

    30:00 ZOE's 9,000-person study: the results in just two weeks

    30:55 The impact of 3 ferments a day on mood, energy, and bloating

    34:50 The gut-brain axis: how microbes calm 'neuroinflammation'

    37:30 Eating fermented food is like a 'vaccine' for your immune system

    39:48 Why sourdough bread is easier to digest than regular bread

    40:11 Are fermented foods better than probiotic pills?

    44:47 The biggest myth about probiotics: they don't colonize your gut

    46:39 Tim's breakfast hack to get two ferments in at once

    48:15 The one simple pantry swap for all your stock cubes

    49:05 A simple trick to train yourself to like kimchi

    51:45 The simplest home ferment: garlic and honey

    53:55 How to make your own sauerkraut with just two ingredients

    55:08 What is the 'jellyfish' that makes kombucha?

    01:00:06 Summary: the top 5 takeaways from this episode


    📚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

    Ferment 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 

    Better Breakfast Guide


    Mentioned in today's episode

    • Gut-microbiota-targeted diets modulate human immune status, Cell (2021)

    • Fermented Food Consumption Is Associated With Improvements in Bloating, Hunger, Energy and Mood in the General Population, CDN (2025)

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


      Episode transcripts are available here.

      1 hr 5 min
    • Recap: Tips for a healthy immune system | Jenna Macciochi

      Today we’re diving into our immune health.

      You can think of your immune system as your body’s personal physician. Diligently working around the clock to monitor, detect, and repair anything that might disrupt your health.

      However, because it’s work is so seamless and silent, we often take it for granted. 

      So, how can we better support our internal MD?

      Immunologist Jenna Macciochi joins me to explore how simple, everyday actions - from what we eat to how we breathe - can profoundly enhance our immune health.

      🌱 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 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

      Ferment 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 

      Better Breakfast Guide


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


      Listen to the full episode here

      14 min
    • How learning to savour flavour can transform your health | Spencer Hyman

      Is flavour just a sensory experience? Or the secret key to eating for health? In this episode, Spencer Hyman, flavour expert and co-founder of Cocoa Runners, joins Professor Tim Spector, world-leading scientist in nutrition and gut health, to uncover how the food industry manipulates taste to make us overeat, and how rediscovering real flavour could transform our wellbeing.

      Spencer reveals the fascinating science of flavour and why we “taste” with our noses, how chocolate became the world’s first hyper-palatable food, and why modern diets are full of fake flavours designed to make us eat faster. Tim explains how “big food” exploits the brain’s reward system to override fullness signals, creating products that keep us hooked - and what we can do to fight back.

      For listeners curious about how to rebuild a healthy relationship with food, this episode includes a practical guide to retraining your taste buds. Spencer and Tim share tips on how to eat more slowly, savour each bite, and use flavour as a natural marker of nutrient-rich, satisfying foods.

      Could learning the language of flavour be the most powerful way to eat better - without restriction?

      Try ZOE’s NEW app and gut health test: ZOE.com

      Unwrap the truth about your food 👉 ⁠Get the ZOE app 

      🌱 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

      Download Spencer's Flavour Wave guide FREE: https://cocoarunners.com/cocoa-runners-on-zoe/

      Follow ZOE on Instagram.


      Timecodes

      00:00 Introduction

      01:10 The surprising truth about how taste really works

      02:45 Why flavour matters more than nutrition labels

      05:12 The ‘bliss point’: how junk food hooks your brain

      07:40 How big food manipulates your taste buds

      10:05 Why eating too fast damages your health

      12:32 The 20-minute rule your brain uses to feel full

      14:25 Why you should chew more (and talk while eating)

      16:58 The simple trick to eat less and enjoy more

      19:05 What chocolate reveals about human evolution

      21:15 Why most processed foods are designed to deceive

      23:48 How to spot hyper-palatable foods instantly

      26:10 Why we’ve lost our ability to taste real food

      28:55 What ‘bitterness’ really means for your health

      31:40 The forgotten skill of flavour literacy

      34:25 How to retrain your taste buds in one week

      36:45 Why flavour is the one thing big food can’t fake

      39:20 How mindful eating can rewire your brain

      41:05 The shocking stats on mindless eating

      43:30 What the data says about processed food risk

      45:25 Why flavour could be your best health tracker

      47:40 Can technology teach you to eat better?

      49:30 Why enjoying food is essential for good health

      51:00 The big takeaway: flavour is your superpower


      📚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

      Ferment 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 

      Better Breakfast Guide


      Mentioned in today's episode

      • Savouring strikes back: healthiness, satiety, mindfulness, community, planet 

      • How Important Is Eating Rate in the Physiological Response to Food Intake, Control of Body Weight, and Glycemia?, Nutrients (2020) 

      • Hyperpalatability and the Generation of Obesity: Roles of Environment, Stress Exposure and Individual Difference, Current Obesity Reports (2018)

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

        52 min
      • The science of winter depression with Prof. Debra Skene – leading chronobiologist

        Try ZOE’s NEW app and gut health test: ZOE.com

        Winter is almost here! Temperatures are dropping, clouds are descending, and the clocks have changed. 

        Many of you might be worrying that the Winter Blues are on their way, but perhaps they don’t need to be? Perhaps we can work with our natural, biological rhythms to fend off this blue phase.

        Today, we’re joined by Prof. Debra Skene, Section Lead of Chronobiology at the University of Surrey and a global authority on circadian rhythms. With over 190 research publications, she’s spent 25 years studying how light and timing affect sleep, mood, and metabolic health.

        After listening to this episode, you’ll be armed with solid advice that will help you weather winter with a smile, maintaining good health and good mood until the warmth returns.


        Timecodes:

        00:15 The surprising link between your body clock and major diseases

        01:25 Quick-fire round: Body clocks, weight gain, and meal timing

        03:25 You have a 'master clock' ticking in your brain

        10:05 What is 'gut lag'?

        11:40 Why light is the most reliable signal for your body (it's not weather)

        14:45 Light's 'non-visual' effects: How light affects your mood and performance

        16:30 What studies on blind people reveal about our internal clocks

        18:50 The shocking health risks of night shift work

        21:05 Why you are 'definitely eating at the wrong time'

        22:30 The same meal at midnight gives you higher blood fats

        25:20 Why living in a cave for a month is 'pretty healthy'

        26:20 Are you a 'lark' or an 'owl'? The biology of chronotypes

        29:10 What is 'social jet lag' (and why is it linked to weight gain)?

        33:05 How winter light changes your body clock

        38:30 The direct link between light and 'winter depression'

        39:30 Do light boxes actually work for winter depression?

        40:40 The discovery of melanopsin: The specific color of light that controls your clock

        43:45 Does blue light from your phone really matter for sleep?

        45:05 Why light intensity matters more than blue light

        48:15 The cheapest and most effective way to get morning light (even in winter)

        50:00 Food sets your 'peripheral clocks', but not your master clock

        52:20 Why mealtime consistency is the most important rule

        53:30 Is daylight saving time bad for our health?

        55:35 Summary: Key takeaways for sleep, mood, and eating


        📚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

        Ferment 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 

        Better Breakfast Guide

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

        Episode transcripts are available⁠ here⁠.

        1 hr
      • Tired and hungry? How the wrong breakfast will ruin your day | Prof. Benjamin Gardner & Professor Tim Spector

        Get 6+ FREE breakfast recipes from nutrition experts: https://zoe.com/breakfastguide

        Why do so many of us eat a "healthy" breakfast like cereal or muesli, only to feel hungry, tired, and foggy by 11 AM? And why is it so hard to break this routine, even when we know it’s not working?

        In this episode, Jonathan Wolf speaks to Professor Ben Gardner, a leading expert in habit psychology, and Professor Tim Spector, a world-leading scientist in nutrition and gut health. 

        They explore the science behind why our breakfast routines are broken, how they set us up for a daily blood sugar rollercoaster, and what to do to fix things. 

        Tim breaks down the latest science on common breakfast foods, explaining why most cereals, muesli, fruit juices, and "high-protein" options are failing us, leading to energy dips and mood changes.

        Ben explains the psychology of why we're stuck. He reveals why bad habits run on autopilot, why our environment is more powerful than our willpower, and busts the persistent "21-day" myth, explaining how long it really takes to form a new habit.

        Timecodes:

        00:00 Introduction

        01:25 Does building a new habit take 21 days?

        02:05 Is breakfast the most important meal of the day?

        04:05 The 'healthy' breakfast that causes an 11 AM energy dip

        05:15 How your breakfast creates a blood sugar rollercoaster

        07:15 Can today's breakfast affect tomorrow's hunger?

        08:05 The 'healthy' cereal trap: "Only if you're a shareholder of Kellogg's"

        10:10 What is a 'habit' in psychology? (It's not what you think)

        11:15 The 'autopilot' breakfast: Making food without realizing

        13:50 The stale popcorn experiment: Why you eat food you don't even like

        16:30 The secret to change: Identify your environmental triggers

        18:30 The 'fresh start effect': Why Monday is a powerful day to change

        20:40 The "I've already failed today" mindset (and why it's wrong)

        22:30 What are 'keystone habits'?

        25:45 The 3 ways to break a bad habit (it's not just willpower)

        28:00 How to use breakfast as your 'first win' of the day

        29:40 Tim Spector's ideal breakfast to avoid a sugar crash

        32:30 The 'high protein' cereal lie: "Most of them are rubbish"

        33:30 Is Marmite actually healthy?

        34:55 Tim's 3 simple principles for a healthy breakfast

        38:20 The 21-day myth busted: How long it really takes to form a habit

        40:50 What is 'habit stacking'?

        41:55 Does missing one day ruin your new habit?

        42:35 How to swap your cereal habit (Ben's practical plan)

        45:00 How long until a new habit feels 'automatic'?

        46:00 A 3-step practical guide to change your breakfast habit


        📚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

        Ferment 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 

        Better Breakfast Guide



        55 min
      • The #1 Dementia risk factor nobody talks about, and what to do

        Get your free 5-step plan for hearing loss diagnosis and treatment: click here

        Hearing loss affects 1 in 5 people globally, increases the risk of developing dementia, and has no cure. 

        An astonishing half a billion people have hearing loss, which impacts their ability to communicate and connect with others. Hearing loss cases are increasing fast, especially among younger people. 

        For many, hearing aids and cochlear implants can be life-changing, but they can’t help everyone. But there is hope:

        Scientists around the world have been working tirelessly to develop NEW treatments for hearing loss. 

        In this episode, Jonathan speaks to Dr. Marcelo Rivolta, a professor of sensory stem cell biology at Sheffield University. 

        He’s on the cusp of a major breakthrough that could mean hearing loss becomes a thing of the past. 

        What you’ll learn:

        • Why hearing loss is becoming more common

        • The shocking link between hearing loss and a 500% increased risk of dementia

        • How modern headphones and loud concerts cause permanent, irreversible damage

        • Why hearing loss can be more isolating than blindness

        • The simple ways you can protect your hearing today

        • How current technologies like hearing aids and cochlear implants work

        • About the groundbreaking new science that could cure deafness using stem cells

          About Marcelo Rivolta

          Marcelo Rivolta is a Professor of Sensory Stem Cell Biology at the University of Sheffield. For over two decades, his research has focused on the use of human stem cells for the understanding and treatment of hearing loss. His lab was the first to demonstrate that it was possible to create both auditory hair cells and neurons from stem cells, and his pioneering work is now moving towards clinical trials in humans.

          Timecodes:

          00:00 Introduction 

          00:26 Does hearing loss only affect older adults?

          03:37 Is permanent hearing loss reversible?

          06:03 At what volume do headphones start to cause hearing loss?

          08:26 Why hearing loss is more isolating than blindness

          09:41 The shocking link between hearing loss and dementia

          12:00 Can hearing aids reduce your dementia risk?

          13:13 How do we hear? A simple explanation

          15:15 Why is your microphone just like your ear?

          18:07 What goes wrong in your ear to cause hearing loss?

          19:20 The cells in your body you’re born with that have to last a lifetime

          20:51 Why does loud noise cause irreversible damage?

          23:15 Do hearing aids solve hearing loss for everybody?

          24:08 The difference between a hearing aid and a cochlear implant

          26:20 Is the hearing from a cochlear implant natural?

          32:25 Can we find a cure for hearing loss?

          34:15 Using stem cells to create new hearing cells

          37:32 Can we reverse deafness? Groundbreaking study in animals

          38:45 When will a cure for hearing loss be available?

          42:25 What is auditory neuropathy?

          45:06 What is tinnitus and could this research cure it?

          46:46 Top tips to protect your hearing

          50:03 Jonathan's summary

          Information about the Rincell-1 clinical trial, such as patient eligibility and other related aspects, is available at https://www.rinri-therapeutics.com/our-clinical-research/#rincell

          For further details, please contact [email protected]

          📚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

          Ferment 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 

          Better Breakfast Guide


          Episode transcripts are available here: https://zoe.com/learn/category/podcast

          56 min
        • Lose weight by controlling these hormones | Bariatric surgeon Dr. Andrew Jenkinson

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

          Have you ever wondered why you can lose weight on a diet, only for it to come back with a vengeance? If you’ve blamed yourself for a lack of willpower, our guest today argues you’ve been misled. The old mantra of “eat less, move more” is failing us, and the key to understanding why lies deep within our biology.

          In this episode, Jonathan is joined by Dr. Andrew Jenkinson, a bariatric surgeon and author with decades of experience in the science of metabolism. Dr. Jenkinson dismantles the calorie-counting myth and explains the powerful biological system that controls our weight: the "set point." He reveals how our modern diet and lifestyle have broken this system, but also provides a clear, science-backed path to fixing it.

          Dr. Andrew Jenkinson is a consultant bariatric surgeon and the author of Why We Eat (Too Much): The New Science of Appetite.

          In this episode, you’ll learn:

          • Why the idea that weight loss is simply about willpower is a damaging myth.

          • The science of the "weight set point" and how your brain fights to keep you at a certain weight.

          • How your metabolism acts like a "dimmer switch," slowing down to prevent weight loss when you diet.

          • The crucial role of hormones like leptin and insulin, and why our modern diet causes "leptin resistance" — the reason your brain can’t tell it’s full.

          • How yo-yo dieting can actually raise your set point, making you heavier in the long run.

          • A practical, step-by-step plan to lower your set point by changing what you eat, not just how much.

          • The truth about new weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and their long-term effects.

          • How managing stress and improving sleep can be as important as your diet for sustainable weight management

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

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

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


            Timecodes

            00:00 Introduction

            00:20 Is gaining weight as we age inevitable?

            01:38 Why ‘eat less, move more’ is a myth

            03:53 Is your weight predetermined by your genes?

            06:36 How your mother's experience in the womb can alter your dna

            10:35 Why most diets are doomed to fail in the long term

            12:16 Your brain has a weight 'set point' it tries to defend

            15:27 The 'weight anchor': your body's powerful defence against weight loss

            17:22 The reason you often end up heavier after a diet

            19:00 A shocking study: yo-yo dieting made mice fatter than a junk food diet

            21:35 The 'joker in the pack' controlling 70% of your energy burn

            23:12 Your body has a hidden metabolic 'dimmer switch'

            27:53 The mystery of the missing calories

            32:35 Why dieting can actually raise your weight set point

            34:31 The master hormone that tells your brain when you're full

            36:08 The hidden reason your brain can't tell you're full

            37:35 Why feeling hungry and lazy are symptoms, not causes, of obesity

            39:00 The 'broken gas tank meter' analogy for weight gain

            41:26 Step 1 for resetting your weight: the 30-day challenge

            42:07 Why you need to stop snacking between meals

            43:50 What is mindful eating and why does it matter?

            46:22 Can time-restricted eating lower your set point?

            48:37 The truth about new weight loss drugs like ozempic

            50:28 The surprising impact of stress and sleep on your weight

            51:42 The single most important thing to understand about weight loss


            📚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

            Ferment 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 

            Better Breakfast Guide




            55 min

          About ZOE Science & Nutrition

          From the publisher's feed

          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,…

          Best of ZOE Science & Nutrition

          Ranked by our users in the last 21 days

          More shows like ZOE Science & Nutrition

          Inside Health by BBC Radio 4

          Inside Health

          96 Listeners

          Age Better with Liz Earle by Liz Earle

          Age Better with Liz Earle

          234 Listeners

          The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett by DOAC

          The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

          8,527 Listeners

          The Doctor's Kitchen Podcast by Dr Rupy Aujla

          The Doctor's Kitchen Podcast

          585 Listeners

          Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee by Dr Rangan Chatterjee: GP & Author

          Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee

          3,602 Listeners

          The Proof with Simon Hill by Live better for longer

          The Proof with Simon Hill

          2,602 Listeners

          The Wellness Scoop by The Wellness Scoop

          The Wellness Scoop

          1,322 Listeners

          Sliced Bread by BBC Radio 4

          Sliced Bread

          134 Listeners

          The Dr Louise Newson Podcast by Dr Louise Newson

          The Dr Louise Newson Podcast

          267 Listeners

          Postcards From Midlife by Lorraine Candy & Trish Halpin

          Postcards From Midlife

          116 Listeners

          Life At The Midpoint with Gabby Logan by Audio Always

          Life At The Midpoint with Gabby Logan

          117 Listeners

          Just One Thing - with Michael Mosley by BBC Radio 4

          Just One Thing - with Michael Mosley

          187 Listeners

          Begin Again with Davina McCall by Begin Again

          Begin Again with Davina McCall

          681 Listeners

          What's Up Docs? by BBC Radio 4

          What's Up Docs?

          100 Listeners