Episodes

Peeling Back the Benefits: The Wonders of Banana Peel Flour Most people discard banana peels and only eat the fruit inside. However, research shows that the peels of bananas have many health benefits when dried and ground into flour. Listen in this week as Dee discusses this sustainable, nutrient-rich flour and some creative ways to incorporate banana peel flour into your recipes while reducing food waste and supporting a healthier lifestyle. Reference: Shafi, A., Ahmad, F., & Mohammad, Z. H....

It is widely known that episodes of high stress, even short ones, temporarily impair artery function. To make things worse, people often eat high-fat foods in times of stress, which puts more stress on the cardiovascular system. Listen in this week as Dee discusses a study showing how drinking a special kind of cacao drink may be the antidote to the cardio impacts of high stress and high fat meals. Reference: Baynham, R., Veldhuijzen van Zanten, J. J. C. S. V., & Rendeiro, C. (2024). Cocoa fla...

Why do people regain weight more quickly than expected after successfully losing it? Research shows that once someone has been overweight or obese, the genes in their fat cells undergo changes, creating a "memory" of the overweight state. This makes it easier for the body to return to that state. Listen in this week as Dee discusses this fascinating research, and what it means for long term weight loss maintenance. Reference: Hinte, L. C., Castellano-Castillo, D., Ghosh, A., Melrose, K., Gasse...

Reducing sugar intake not only protects you from the negative effects of overconsumption but also offers surprising benefits that you can experience quickly. Listen in this week as Dee discusses which conditions can be improved by reducing sugar—and what you can do to start limiting your sugar intake today. Reference: Austin, D. (2024, November 18). Giving up sugar can change your body for the better—within days. National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/health-be...

A promising change for the USDA's 2025 Dietary Guidelines to suggest limiting or avoiding ultra-processed foods has been dashed. A scientific advisory committee has declared there is not enough evidence to recommend avoiding them. Listen in this week as Dee discusses how they came to their conclusion, and why she and many experts disagree with it. Reference: Callahan, A. (2024, November 14). Why the next dietary guidelines might not tackle ultraprocessed foods. The New York Times. https://www....

While its caffeine content is known for improving cognitive function, the true heroes of coffee are its antioxidants and polyphenols. These compounds may help to ward off or reverse many chronic conditions, proving coffee to be more than just an energizing beverage.Listen in this week as Dee discusses how your morning brew might be contributing to your health in surprising ways! Reference: Kolb, H., Kempf, K., & Martin, S. (2020). Health effects of coffee: Mechanism unraveled?. Nutrients, 12(6...

Does beer have a secret superpower? Research shows that moderate, mindful beer enjoyment might be a little healthier than you think. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the research showing the health benefits of the bitter acids and polyphenols found in the compounds that also give beer its flavor and aroma. Reference: Carbone, K., & Gervasi, F. (2022). An updated review of the genus Humulus: A valuable source of bioactive compounds for health and disease prevention. Plants, 11(24), 3434. ht...

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen tool, and they're generally considered a safer way to create a crispy texture to foods than deep frying, but they do still pose some health risks. Listen in this week as Dee offers valuable insights on the pros and cons of preparing food in an air fryer. Reference: De Oliveira, V. S., Viana, D. S. B., Keller, L. M., De Melo, M. T. T., Mulandeza, O. F., Barbosa, M. I. M. J., Júnior, J. L. B., & Saldanha, T. (2024). Impact of air frying on food lipids: Ox...

'Tis the season for pumping up immune health with pumpkin seeds! Listen in this week as Dee explains the differences between green pumpkin seeds (also known as pepitas) and white pumpkins seeds, and howi Incorporating pumpkin seeds into your diet can give your immune system a natural boost and help your body stay resilient. Reference: Hussain, A., Kausar, T., Sehar, S., Sarwar, A., Quddoos, M. Y., Aslam, J., Liaqat, A., Siddique, T., An, Q. U., Kauser, S., Rehman, A., & Nisar, R. (2023). A rev...

Grounding, also known as earthing, is a simple concept that involves connecting the human body with the energy naturally present in the earth. Listen in this week as Dee dives into the science behind its potential health benefits. Learn what earthing is, how it works, and why it may help reduce inflammation, improve sleep, and support overall well-being. References: Oschman, J. L., Chevalier, G., & Brown, R. (2015). The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, woun...

There is scant scientific evidence that compounds found in nightshade vegetables—such as tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and eggplants—aggravate the pain and inflammation of arthritis. However, some people with arthritis feel that eating nightshades make their condition worse...and decades of research by a horticulture professor at Rutgers University may explain why. Listen in this week as Dee dives into the science behind the connection and examines whether nightshades truly contribute to inflamma...

Unlike cow milk, camel milk has low levels of lactose, fat, and cholesterol, and is naturally non allergenic. Once only available in the middle east and Africa, farmers in the U.S. are now supplying this nutritious mil to Americans. Listen in this week as Dee explores its unique nutritional profile, including essential vitamins, minerals, and its potential to boost immunity and improve digestion. References: Ombarak, R. A., Hussein, E. O. S., Suliman, G., Alhimaidi, A. R., Ammari, A. A., Ba-Aw...

The FDA required food manufacturers to remove artificial trans fats from their products by June 18, 2018, due to their negative impact on health. Despite the ban, consumers should still be cautious of foods containing trans fats due to ingredients like mono- and diglycerides, which are not regulated as trans fats. Listen in this week as Dee discusses what mono- and diglycerides are, and why they are a concern for your health. References: Kalmus, S. (n.d.). What is bad about mono- & diglyceride...

Apeel is an edible coating made of fatty acids that is used on apples and other produce, both conventional and organically grown, designed to extend their shelf life, but there's no label on the produce to let you know it's there. How concerned should you be? Listen in this week as Dee discusses what Apeel is, why the fatty acids it's made of may be a concern, and where you can find produce not coated with Apeel. References: Apeel. (2024). Product information. https://www.apeel.com/product-inf...

A recent study found that dark chocolate and other cocoa products are contaminated with lead and cadmium, two neurotoxic metals associated with cancer, chronic diseases, and reproductive or developmental issues, especially in children. Surprisingly, even organic dark chocolate, grown with fewer pesticides, was found to have some of the highest concentrations of these harmful metals. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the findings of the study and whether it's still possible to enjoy the health...

A new review study involving over 55,000 people showed that those who chose specific foods while following a Mediterranean Style Diet were less likely to contract Covid-19. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the findings of the study and which foods were the most effective at warding off the virus. References: Halim, C., Howen, M., Fitrisubroto, A. a. N. B., Pratama, T., Harahap, I. R., Ganesh, L. J., & Siahaan, A. M. P. (2024). Relevance of Mediterranean diet as a nutritional strategy in di...

A recent study suggests that a low-fat vegan diet is more effective than a Mediterranean diet for reducing inflammation and promoting weight loss. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the methodology and results of the study, and what they mean for your health. References: Kahleova, H., Znayenko-Miller, T., Motoa, G., Eng, E., Prevost, A., Uribarri, J., Holubkov, R., & Barnard, N. D. (2024). Dietary advanced glycation end-products and their associations with body weight on a Mediterranean diet...

The AGE Conundrum: Are Your Favorite Foods Harming You? Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) are harmful compounds lurking in everyday foods that have been linked to inflammation, Alzheimer's, diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease. Listen in this week as Dee explains what foods AGE's are found in and how you can avoid their harmful effects. References: Uribarri, J., Woodruff, S., Goodman, S., Cai, W., Chen, X., Pyzik, R., Yong, A., Striker, G. E., & Vlassara, H. (2010). Advanced glyca...

Erythritol is a common sweetener used in baked goods, beverages, gum, and candy, and is often found in keto-friendly and other reduced-sugar products. However, recent research suggests that consuming even typical amounts of erythritol may elevate the risk of blood clots and cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes. Listen in this week as Dee explores the findings of this study and why erythritol might not be the safest option for reducing sugar intake. References: Cleveland Cli...

A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association explores the effects of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) on cholesterol and heart health. Researchers found that both high and low usage of EVOO in the diet were linked to reductions in LDL-C, the "bad" cholesterol associated with heart disease. But during a 4-week carryover period, an interesting twist was revealed. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the results of the study, it's pros and cons, and how it could impact your h...

Monch Monch is a revolutionary, tasteless powder that you mix with water before meals to block sugar absorption and minimize insulin and glucose spikes from refined carbs. But does it really work? Listen in this week as Dee explains what Monch Monch is, how it impacts your health, and whether it's right for you. Learn more about Monch Monch: https://www.monchmonch.shop/pages/science

A new study reveals how the frequency of your bowel movements could be an important indicator of your long-term health. Infrequent poopers showed signs of decreased kidney function, while those who went more often than average exhibited signs of impaired liver function. Listen in this week as Dee explains why the type and frequency of your bowel movements can affect your health well beyond the gut. References: Johnson-Martínez, J. P., Diener, C., Levine, A. E., Wilmanski, T., Suskind, D. L., R...

Saccharomyces boulardii is a strain of probiotic yeast that was first isolated from the superfoods mangosteen and lychee fruit in 1923 by the French scientist Henri Boulard (hence the name). Today it is considered a "super probiotic" due to its unique properties and wide range of health benefits that set it apart from many other probiotic strains. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the key reasons why S. boulardii holds this distinction. Link to Saccharomyces boulardii supplement: https://amz...

Studies show that obese individuals have more Firmicutes and fewer Bacteroidetes in their gut bacteria compared to those who are not overweight. Research suggests that consuming apple cider vinegar (ACV) can help improve this ratio. Listen in this week as Dee explains ACV's impact on the gut microbiome and its role in weight loss. Link to Dee's Apple Cider Vinaigrette recipe: https://processedfreeamerica.org/dees-olive-oil-apple-cider-vinaigrette/ References: Bouderbala, H., Dib, W., Kheroua, ...