Chronic inflammation is essentially the driving force behind the biggest killer today, causing over 50% of all deathsβthrough strokes, heart disease, cancer, obesity, diabetes, and more. And the problem set to grow persistently over the next 30 years. (PMID: 31806905)
The good news is that what we eat plays a crucial role in either fueling or lowering inflammation.
Iβm going to tell you about a method of eating that is simpler than fasting, can be as effective as fasting at reducing weight, improving cholesterol and even improving your gut microbes, and doesnβt take any extra time or change to your diet. But first you need to understand one simple fact β¦
Thereβs now so much research has shown that ultra-processed foods have been linked to high-blood pressure, heart disease and other serious illnesses, yet the average person in the UK gets a whopping 56% of their calories from UPFs, with an even higher figure for children.
But all this information can be quite overwhelming. And what we need are strategies to overcome this problem rather than reminders of how bad the issues are.
Melissa has long been an advocate for making wholesome, healthy food at home and is passionate about providing solutions for people who are scared by the headlines, and keen to make cost- and time-effective changes that help us un-process our everyday diet.
Real Healthy is a life-friendly cookbook for time-poor people who want healthy food thatβs quick, convenient and tasty, too. Melissa provides simple, doable, and delicious recipes to help you tackle those every day tricky problem areas β on-the-go breakfasts, al desko lunches, satisfying snacks, and easy to make sweet treats.
BIO: Bestselling author Melissa Hemsley celebrates easy and accessible healthy food that everyone can enjoy, as well as a more accessible and sustainable way of eating for everyone. She began her food career as a private chef for actors and bands, including Take That, and has written and co-written five bestselling books, published internationally. Melissa is a proud long term supporter of food redistribution charity The Felix Project, and volunteers with them regularly to rescue surplus food and to cook for children and the vulnerable. She is an ambassador for Mental Health Mates, the Fairtrade Food Foundation and Women Supporting Women (The Prince's Trust), among others. Over the last 5 years, Melissa has been supporting The Food Foundation and School Food Matters and working on campaigns such as Feed the Future and Free School Meals. Melissa regularly appears on daytime TV and radio and a host of other cookery and news shows, often speaking on behalf of the charity and community projects she works with. She lives in London with her partner and baby daughter.
Youβre probably eating too much sugar and you donβt actually realise. And look no judgment, I probably eat too much as well and the reason why is because itβs sneaked into so many foods ________________________________________________________________________
Is fruit juice just as bad as added sugar? What are the healthiest vegetables to eat for longevity? Is dairy helpful or harmful for our health?
These are just some of the questions myself and Professor Tim Spector discuss on todayβs podcast. Itβs the third time weβve sat down on the podcast and Iβm sure it wonβt be the last.
Our chat today dives into the 6 strategies for healthy eating that Tim details in his new book, including eating 30 Plants a Week, Pivoting Proteins from animal based to plants, and trying Time-Restricted Eating.
In his new Food for Life Cookbook, Tim shares his knowledge of how simple it can be to eat for both pleasure and health. The book will help you make better food choices every day, whatever your starting point. We even made some of the pecan, chocolate cookies in the Doctorβs Kitchen Studio which were incredibly delicious. Made with flax egg, ground almonds and a seed mix, I was genuinely surprised at how tasty they were. You can catch that recipe right here on the Doctorβs Kitchen YouTube channel!
GUEST BIO: TIM SPECTOR, MD, is Professor of Epidemiology at Kingβs College London. He is the bestselling author of The Diet Myth, Spoon-Fed and Food for Life and co- founder of ZOE, the science and nutrition company. With a focus on cutting-edge science and honoured with an OBE for his impactful work in fighting Covid-19, Tim stands at the forefront of his field. The original pioneer of microbiome research, he is among the top 100 most cited scientists in the world.
Tim started cooking at a young age, enjoying his mother Junoβs lasagne at home and learning to cook Wiener schnitzel and apple strudel as a teenager working in an Austrian kitchen (all of which have inspired recipes in this book).
It was only when he had a mini stroke in his fifties that he was inspired to improve his own health outcomes by focusing his scientific research on the groundbreaking area of nutrition and the gut microbiome.
He then set about applying his cutting-edge scientific findings in his own kitchen. Timβs wife Veronique and his children have, at times, been alarmed by the growing family of (sometimes explosive) ferments in their kitchen and fridge, but are increasingly impressed by his enthusiasm and creativity in the kitchen. They have even been known to ask for seconds and leftovers of βJunoβs lasagneβ. Tim lives in London with his wife.
Coffee is a big contributor to our daily intake of polyphenols (beneficial plant compounds) that support health in several ways β from gut health to lowering risks of cancer, depression, and Alzheimerβs. But how we drink it makes a big difference. Hereβs what you need to know before you reach for that daily cup.
According to Alzheimer's research UK, over 50% of everyone listening to this podcast will be affected by dementia by either contracting the disease ourselves, caring for somebody with the disease or both.
Dementia is due to impact 130 million people globally by 2050, and today it is the biggest killer in the UK. But we have no effective treatments, itβs diagnosed late in the disease process and prevention is hardly mentioned.
Today Iβm joined by Dr Louisa Nicola who has been studying this disease throughout her career and is currently completing her Doctorate with the University of Washington focused on Alzheimer's. She also runs a human performance clinic, Neuro Athletics, where the goal is to prevent and delay dementia as well as advise on what activities we can do today to keep our brains sharp.
Weβll talk through brain boosting exercises and the reasons why certain exercises are good, plus the nutrients we need to feed ourselves to support our neurological needs.
Youβll get an idea of the routines, habits and practices that are not only necessary for elite athletes to optimise performance, but also for us if we want to do our best to avoid dementia.
Iβll also get Dr Louisaβs thoughts on protein, as well as omega 3, electrolytes and creatine supplements.
Mallika Basu is one of my absolute favourite people in food. Not only is she hilarious, sheβs a writer, commentator and board adviser in food, drink and hospitality with two published cookbooks (Miss Masala: Real Indian Cooking for Busy Living and Masala: Indian Cooking for Modern Living). She writes a fantastic newsletter βMore than Curryβ covering the link between food, people and planet, as well as recipes with spice and flavour and stories on food and culture in other publications.
During the pandemic, Mallika developed proprietary thinking on food, culture and diversity covering cultural appropriation, language and labels and representation which she has delivered to almost 900 individuals at organisations including Penguin Random House, Jamie Oliver Group, Tesco and Waitrose.
Today we chat about
Going from Indian cooking to commenting on culture and diversity, Getting the facts right on cultural appropriation Why the planet piece matter for food and drink lovers The everyday challenges of feeding a family. I have two teens and am a single parent with a solo household half the week. How she diverts them away from UPFs
Today we're diving into the fascinating world of genomics and personalised nutrition. We're joined by Dr. Stuart J. Grice, a distinguished biologist and former academic at the University of Oxford, whose groundbreaking research has explored the biological mechanisms behind neuromuscular disease, neurodegeneration, and neuropsychiatric disorders.
Together, we'll explore the big question: How can understanding your genetics shape your long-term health? We'll discuss the usefulness of genetic testing when it comes to nutrition and health, and how it fits alongside other testing technologies like blood tests, gut microbiome analysis, and continuous glucose monitoring. Dr. Grice will introduce the concept of having a personalised profile that helps predict your future health trajectory based on current data.
We discuss the differences between genes that are deterministic, probabilistic and informative and whether we can predict what might happen to us in the future, even if weβre healthy now? Weβll also cover the importance of balancing different aspects of our biology to live a healthy, fulfilling life.
After completing his doctorate at Oxford, Stuart co-founded FitnessGenes where he currently holds the position of Chief Scientific Officer (CSO). The company is 11 years old and has received numerous awards for its innovative work in preventative healthcare. Moreover, FitnessGenes is the first company in the world to secure a patent that identifies how better health predictions can be made by combining genetic and lifestyle data.
Dr Stuart J. Grice MRes DPhil
Stuart Grice is a biologist and former academic at the University of Oxford. At Oxford, Stuartβs published works have shed light on the biological mechanisms behind neuromuscular disease, neurodegeneration, and neuropsychiatric disorders, demonstrating his expertise and commitment to understanding disease and longevity. After completing his doctorate at Oxford, he co-founded FitnessGenes. Stuart currently holds the position of Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) at FitnessGenes. The company, which is 11 years old, has received numerous awards for its innovative work in preventative healthcare. Moreover, FitnessGenes is the first company in the world to secure a patent that identifies how better health predictions can be made by combining genetic and lifestyle data. This, in turn, enables people to make better choices about eating and living.
This podcast is primarily about nutrition and lifestyle, so why should we care about consciousness and self awareness?
This is something I put today to Professor Anil Seth, a neuroscientist who has pioneered research into the brain basis of consciousness for more than twenty-five years. He is Professor of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience and Director of the Centre for Consciousness Science at the University of Sussex and his TED talks on how your brain hallucinates reality have been viewed more than sixteen million times.
Even though this topic is slightly outside the realm of what we usually talk about, I think this subject matter is important for anyone who wants to learn more about how to live their best life. A physically healthier and psychologically happier one.
Today we discuss how our brain can be tricked by simple visual illusions and what this tells us about perception of our every day. The importance of interoception and how we can become more interoceptive, and aware of our bodily functions, our emotions and corresponding behaviours. We also talk about what we can learn from spiritual practices and ancient philosophy, and where correlations exist between what we now know is underpinned by the science.
A conversation about psychedelics ensures, whether itβs accurate to state that we can experience a βhigher state of consciousnessβ and whether AI can ever become conscious.
His best selling book βBeing Youβ is an incredible read that I highly recommend. We also get on to talk about gratitude and Anilβs tips for being more aware and how that may translate into a happier state of mind.
Dr Tara Swart is back on The Doctorβs Kitchen show today. Neuroscientist, former medical doctor and author of βThe Sourceβ, a book that has been hugely impactful to my career and mindset.
Sheβs also host of top rated life sciences podcast βReinvent Yourself with Dr Taraβ, and brand ambassador in beauty and well-being.
Her idea is simple: no matter how old, how stubborn, or how set in their ways, everyone has the capacity to change. And to add to that, everyone has the ability to manifest a future for themselves full of love, joy, health and whatever you desire. But your mindset and willingness to let go is crucial. You will love Taraβs science influenced approach to manifesting and ancient practices. ________________________________________________________________________
Certain drinks could help you lose weight by suppressing your appetite, increasing fat-burning ability and even stimulating metabolism. Here are my top 3 to drink daily.
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Kyle Stewart, NHS GP, Clinical Entrepreneur Fellow, and co-founder of Prof & Doc, to explore the surprising health benefits of watercress.
Weβre going to dive into how watercress could be a game-changer for skin health, helping with conditions like nappy rash, eczema, and more. Dr. Stewart shares insights from his pioneering work in phytochemical manipulation over the last 8 years and developing innovative skincare solutions that heβs now brought to market at www.profanddoc.com.
We also talk more broadly about how the application of research looking at ingredients from the brassica family are just waiting to be explored. Youβll also learn about some of the other vegetables and plants that Kyle would explore if he wasnβt so obsessed with Watercress!
As a former NHS GP myself, Iβm so impressed at how Kyleβs been able to navigate the world of entrepreneurship whilst maintaining a practice. I see really impressive things with his work and it hopefully paves the way for more research in the phytochemical world.
Dr Kyle Stewart is an NHS GP, NHS England Clinical Entrepreneur Fellow and Honorary Associate Research Fellow in Theoretical Medicine at The University of Exeter. He is the co-founder of Watercress Research Ltd, which launched their flagship commercial skincare brand, Prof & Doc, in January 2024. His primary interest is phytochemical manipulation through adapting growing and biorefining methods for novel medicine development, particularly targeting the microbiome.
If you donβt know Dominique, she won the βgreat cookbook challenge with Jamie Oliverβ with her simple accessible Asian recipes. Her books became Sunday times best sellers and she has a wealth of knowledge and knack of fusing multiple different cuisines.
She is passionate about sharing her love of big, bold flavours and Asian cuisine and her second book, The Asian Pantry, is out now in all good bookstores. ________________________________________________________________________
Chet Sharmaβs culinary intrigue, coupled with his academic and scientific interests, have made for an impressive and expansive career in hospitality.
During his university studies, which ultimately led to a PhD in physics from the University of Oxford, he worked part time at a number of Londonβs leading Michelin-starred restaurants, including Benares and Locanda Locatelli. After discovering a passion for hospitality, he went on to work at two Michelin-starred Mugaritz, Simon Roganβs Umbel Restaurant Group, two-starred Mark Birchallβs Moor Hall, and the late, also two-starred, The Ledbury.
In 2017, Chet moved to become Group Development Chef at JKS Restaurants β with whom he eventually opened BiBi in September 2021. A progressive restaurant serving dishes inspired by ingredients and memories from the Indian subcontinent. BiBi draws on the years Chet has spent cooking and sourcing ingredients for some of the most esteemed Michelin-starred restaurants in the world, whilst also embracing the full multicultural span of Indian cuisine. BiBi was GQ Restaurant of the Year 2022.
Today we talk about: Chetβs transition from a science background into food Small scale farmers in the UK and India to champion forgotten ingredients His ongoing research with the British Library into pre-colonial Indian food We also talk about the stress of the job and how, to this day, Chet lives with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, a reactivation of Varicella Zoster Virus that affects his facial nerve brought on by stress during the pandemic. ________________________________________________________________________
More than 80% of people who lose weight regain it within 5 years. Here are my top strategies to maintain a healthy weight long-term and have a positive impact on health outcomes β notably blood sugar levels, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. ________________________________________________________________________
Dr Sarah Berry is an Associate Professor at Kingβs College London and has run more than 30 human nutrition studies. Sheβs the lead nutritional scientist for the ZOE PREDICT study β the and leads research across menopause, microbiome and sleep.
Which snacks are better than others, plus whether there is an actual difference between refined sugar, coconut sugar, agave, honey and raw honey. ________________________________________________________________________
World-leading microbiome scientist and surgeon with over two decades of experience, Dr James Kinross, is on the podcast today talking about everything to do with the gut. Dark Matter is his first book and I highly recommend you check it out. http://dark-matter.org.uk
We talk about: Signs that your poop is unhealthy Some of James favourite foods and nutrition strategies to improve the gut Why we need to think like conservationists, and recognise that our guts are being radically altered and destroyed by our environment We also talk about functional gut disorders and why trauma, stress and childhood health are some of the first things James will ask about before ever reaching for a prescription pad, if at all We talk about the estrobolome - the interaction of hormones and our microbes Whether our gut can dictate food choices James opinions on probiotics, gut health tests and their validity As well as the relationship between our gut and brain health including ASD and dementia
Dr James Kinross is a senior lecturer in colorectal surgery and consultant surgeon at Imperial College London and a visiting professor at the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland. He leads a research team defining how the microbiome causes cancer and other chronic diseases of the gut.
Donna Hay is Australia's favourite and most trusted home cook, a household name, and an international food-publishing phenomenon. Donna's 29 books have sold more than 7 million copies worldwide, been translated into 10 different languages, and her television cooking shows have brought her signature style to life for viewers in more than 14 countries.
And when I say signature style, her styling is absolutely iconic and itβs inspired myself as well as many budding home cooks around the world.
Her latest book, βeven more basics to brillianceβ is a collection of classics that people can always rely on β those dependable, delicious recipes we all want in our bag of tricks. And is a follow on from the previous book βBasics to Brillianceβ
SERVES 4
4 eggs, lightly whisked 11β2 teaspoons finely grated lemon rind 1β4 cup (10g) finely chopped basil leaves 3β4 cup (60g) finely grated parmesan, plus extra to serve sea salt and cracked black pepper 2β3 cup (100g) plain (all-purpose) flour 21β2 teaspoons baking powder 3 cups (720g) firm fresh ricotta+ extra virgin olive oil, for frying lemon wedges and extra basil leaves, to serve
STEP 1 Place the eggs, lemon rind, basil, parmesan, salt and pepper in a large bowl and mix to combine. Sift over the flour and baking powder and mix to combine. Add the ricotta and stir to combine.
STEP 2 Heat 2 teaspoons of oil in a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Cook 1β4-cupfuls of the mixture in batches, flattening slightly, for 3 minutes each side or until golden and cooked through.
STEP 3 Serve with lemon wedges, extra basil and parmesan.
COOKβS NOTE + For the fluffiest fritters, choose fresh ricotta from your delicatessen or supermarket deli rather than the pre-packaged tubs.
On todayβs episode Iβm diving into the science of weight loss. This episode is all about how to lose weight in a healthy way, maintain that weight loss and live a healthier life.
We havenβt discussed weight loss in detail on the podcast before, but enough people have asked me about it so I thought we could dive into some common questions and misconceptions about weight loss. Iβll dive into:
The science of weight loss Whether there are diets that are best for weight loss? Are there foods that aid weight loss? Are there foods that burn fat? Can you target weight loss in specific areas of the body? Can you target βbelly fatβ with specific foods or exercises?
Iβll discuss calorie restriction, popular weight loss diets (keto, low carb), fasting, the microbiome, plus the lifestyle factors that lead to weight gain. Iβll also discuss obesogens, the effects of stress and poor sleep on weight gain as well as evidence based supplements that can help you lose weight.
Chef Romy Gill MBE, who is a dear friend, is on the podcast today sharing her culinary wisdom, her energy and passion for food as well as her voice for women of colour and the stigma that still surrounds the menopause.
Romy is a celebrity Indian chef, food/travel writer and broadcaster based in the southwest of England. She was the owner and head chef at Romyβs Kitchen and in 2016 she was appointed an MBE in the Queenβs 90th Birthday Honours list. ________________________________________________________________________
On todayβs episode I have a good friend of mine, Camille Vidal, creator of Mindful Cocktails and founder of La Maison Wellness, to talk to me about reducing alcohol consumption and improving our relationship with drinking.
Camille Vidal is a globally recognised bartender and drinks expert turned mindfulness, Yoga and Meditation teacher.
And sheβs a true pioneer in this field. Camille (aka @mindfullycami), is on a mission to inspire the world to bring mindfulness into the glass, showing that Tasty doesnβt have to be Boozy.
For some people, abstinence is absolutely necessary and the number of sobriety tools and programmes are increasing. But for many of us, myself included, we still want to enjoy the very occasional alcoholic drink whilst being mindful of the ill effects.
As somebody who is consciously trying to reduce my own alcohol intake I loved chatting through the statistics regarding how many other people are trying to cut down rather than abstain completely from alcohol. Iβm somebody who appreciates a chilled rose or a glass of fine red with a meal, and Iβm excited to explore a new world of no and low alcohol drinks that put my health first whilst still being able to enjoy a refined and sophisticated pairing with food.
We talk about: The difference between Sobriety and Mindful drinking The Diuretic effects of alcohol Strategies to reduce alcohol such as, Remove replace reduce and Bookending
Todays recipe is a collection of ingredients that support brain and gut health.
Dr Miguel Toribio-Mateas is a clinical neuroscientist with a background in nutrition science and its translation to real-world settings spanning the best part of two decades. Dr Miguelβs work focuses on the human gut microbiome and brain and mental health.
This is based on research we did for our latest health goal on the Doctorβs Kitchen app that has now launched! Due to huge demand our internal and external research team reviewed the nutrition literature to identify beneficial foods and nutrients specifically to help with the βMenopauseβ.
You can now find a large selection of recipes and personalised suggestions based on your dietary preferences on the Doctorβs Kitchen App specifically for menopause. And this complements the many other health goals we have including heart health, brain health, anti-inflammation and many more!
For more about HRT treatment options, navigating early menopause, the physical, emotional and psychological signs/symptoms of menopause and tips for choosing herbal remedies, weβve done a few deep dives with Menopause experts that you can find in the show notes too.
Ravinder is a journalist, chef and restaurateur, who was born in Kenya to Indian parents. Sheβs a monthly food columnist for the FT Weekend magazine and The Guardianβs Feast magazine, a contributing editor at Harperβs Bazaar, and regularly writes for The Observer Magazine and Vogue online. Basically one of the most influential women in food.
Jikoni is one of my favourite restaurants and now βComfort and Joyβ (Ravinder's 3rd book) is one of my new favourites too! Itβs one of those cookbooks to read, but also one that deserves to have its pages stained and spattered. Ravinderβs commitment to lavish vegetables with the same joy and creativity youβd bring to a steak or a chop has resulted in a globally-inspired collection of recipes. ________________________________________________________________________
Today weβre diving deep into the wonderful world of coffee with my good friend Alex Higham.
In this episode we talk about the attributes of coffee and why it seems to have benefits for brain and heart health. We also talk through the healthiest brewing methods for coffee from espresso, to aeropress, to cafetiere and Alexβs experiments looking at the caffeine content of different brewing styles.
We talk about how sourcing and roasting methods can affect the polyphenol concentration of the coffee beans and hence the health benefits and how you can choose the best tasting coffee with these in mind. I also ask Alex the questions that I get asked all the time such as how often should I change the beans, when should I drink coffee and what if I canβt tolerate caffeine?
Alex is co-founder of Exhale Healthy Coffee, the UKβs first coffee crafted for health. After 8 years grappling with auto-immunity, Alex is now on a mission to help others regain control of their health starting with the thing most people consume vast quantities of, their coffee.
As a disclaimer, I must mention that I am an advisor to Exhale coffee the company, and I sincerely love everything that Exhale is about. From rigorous sourcing and independently lab testing their beans to ensure no contaminants, itβs how food products should be made, and itβs a privilege to be part of their incredible journey.
This podcast is a deeply personal one for me. Not just because I resonate so much with Jassa and his experience of not having a true sense of identity, but because Iβm expecting a child with my wife late this year who will be of mixed heritage.
My wife is Italian and Iβm Indian so our child will be both Indian and Italian, rather than half Indian and half Italian. I never really thought of being half something and half something else as ever really something to pay attention to, but recording this podcast with Jassa and reading his story has made a real impact on me.
In the same way John Agard educated us all with his wildly popular poem βhalf casteβ, about the impact of words on people's sense of worth, I feel Jassa has educated me on the use of my words and thoughts, regardless of whether there is ill intent or malice behind them. Words mean so much and Iβd never want anyone, let alone my unborn child, to feel anything other than a whole person.
Jassa Ahluwalia is a British actor, writer, filmmaker and trade unionist. Born in Coventry to a white English mum and a brown Punjabi dad in 1990, he attended school in Leicester and was raised in an extended family environment. He spoke English in the playground, Punjabi with his grandparents, and spent various summer holidays in India. He came to prominence as Rocky in the hit BBC Three series Some Girls, followed by starring roles in Unforgotten, Ripper Street, and Peaky Blinders. Heβs also one of the funniest comedians Iβve ever come across on social media. Please watch some of his sketches online!
Jassa created the hashtag #BothNotHalf to explore mixed identity in light of his own British-Indian heritage. His TEDx talk on 'How Language Shapes Identity' has clocked up over 170k views and his BBC One documentary Am I English? won an Asian Media Award in 2022.
If youβve suffered heartburn, reflux, bloating, indigestion, stomach pain or nausea, this is the episode for you. Today weβre giving you an integrative approach to help with gastritis β combining pharmaceuticals with lifestyle and alternative tools. What this pod is about GP insights: causes, symptoms, medication and when to see a doctor If you have gastritis and want to focus on lifestyle factors Foods to eat and avoid Protective eating habits Herbal/alternative therapies Gastritis routine - what I would do every day if I had symptoms (a day in the life)
Special thanks to our research team at Doctorβs Kitchen, our science writer Sakina Okoko and GP and CEo of Culinary Medicine, Dr Sumi Baruah helped out hugely with this episode. My sincere thanks.
Vinegar shots, gummies and acetic acid based drinks are everywhere. But whatβs the evidence behind them and can they live up to the claims of improving blood sugar regulation, prevent type 2 diabetes and even lowering cholesterol.
Well the team and I decided to deep dive into this subject and we found some surprising results. Is it worth a shot, listen on to find out our take on vinegar for health benefits and how to source and prepare your vinegar if youβre interested in giving it a go yourself!