Diet Science

Allulose is a relatively "new" sweetener on the market that has been shown in studies to promote weight loss and lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. But what is allulose, exactly? Listen in this week as Dee explains the chemistry of allulose, how it works in the body, and why it is considered the "holy grail" of sweeteners.References:Fukunaga, K., Yoshimura, T., Imachi, H., Kobayashi, T., Saheki, T., Sato, S., Saheki, N., Jiang, W., & Murao, K. (2023). A pilot study on the efficacy of a diabetic diet containing the rare sugar D-allulose in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A prospective, randomized, single-blind, crossover study. Nutrients, 15(12), 2802. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/12/2802 Han, Y., Kwon, E.-Y., Yu, M., Lee, S., Kim, H.-J., Kim, S.-B., Kim, Y., & Choi, M.-S. (2018). A preliminary study for evaluating the dose-dependent effect of D-allulose for fat mass reduction in adult humans: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Nutrients, 10(2), 160. https

New research published in the journal Science has found that a deficiency of taurine, an amino acid involved in immune and neurological funtion, is a driver of aging. Increasing intake of taurine has been shown to slow down the aging process in laboratory animals. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the study's findings, and what it means for human health.Reference:Singh, P., Gollapalli, K., Mangiola, S., Schranner, D., Yusuf, M. A., Chamoli, M., Shi, S. L., Lopes Bastos, B., Nair, T., Riermeier, A., Vayndorf, E. M., Wu, J. Z., Nilakhe, A., Nguyen, C. Q., Muir, M., Kiflezghi, M. G., Foulger, A., Junker, A., Devine, J., … Yadav, V. K. (2023). Taurine deficiency as a driver of aging. Science, 380(6649). https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abn9257Link to Taurine supplement: https://amzn.to/3po4lml

"Maple Butter" (also called "Maple Cream") is a form of pure maple syrup that is spreadable---but there is no actual butter, cream, or anything else in it other than the star ingredient itself---pure maple syrup. Listen in this week as Dee discusses how maple butter is made, the many health benefits of maple syrup, and how to use maple butter in your meals and snacks.Link to video on how to make maple butter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMXtqslHd_0&t=2s&ab_channel=America%27sTestKitchenLink to Purchase Maple Butter: https://amzn.to/3Cq7Awk

A West Indian variety of avocado that has been grown in Florida for the past 100 years, the Slimcado is a unique avocado variety.  Listen in this week as Dee discusses the nutrient profile of the "slimcado", and what makes it different yet similar to the regular avocados you know and love.

One of the rarest herbal teas in the world, Mamaki is an ancient herbal tea grown only in Hawaii. Used for centuries by native Hawaiians for its health benefits, this tea is now available in the U.S. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the nutrient profile of mamaki tea and how it may be one of the most refreshing ways to improve your health.Link to Purchase Shaka Bottled Tea (12-pack): https://amzn.to/3oP5bIsLink to Purchase Shaka Bottled Tea (single bottle): https://amzn.to/3CcNKF6Link to Purchase Mamaki Tea Bags: https://amzn.to/3Nbh9p8

Sardines are small saltwater fish with huge health benefits. They’re rich in essential nutrients that play a central role in heart health, blood sugar management and thyroid function. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the many benefits of sardines and some easy ways to incorporate them into your meals.Link to Purchase Sardines: https://amzn.to/3MDdKhrSardine Recipes: https://cleanplates.com/recipes/canned-sardines/

Two studies found that watermelon consumption is linked to higher nutrient intake and better heart health. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the findings of these studies and why watermelon is so good for cardiovascular function.References:Fulgoni, K., & Fulgoni, V. L. (2022). Watermelon intake is associated with increased nutrient intake and higher diet quality in adults and children, NHANES 2003–2018. Nutrients, 14(22), 4883. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/22/4883Matthews, R., Early, K. S., Vincellette, C. M., Losso, J., Spielmann, G., Irving, B. A., & Allerton, T. D. (2023). The effect of watermelon juice supplementation on heart rate variability and metabolic response during an oral glucose challenge: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial. Nutrients, 15(4), 810. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/4/810

Past studies have shown that children worldwide eat considerably less fruits and vegetables than the recommended amount, putting them at increased risk for chronic disease. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the findings of a new study that reveals how to get kids to eat more fruits and veggies on a daily basis.Reference:Dallacker, M., Knobl, V., Hertwig, R., & Mata, J. (2023). Effect of longer family meals on children’s fruit and vegetable intake. JAMA Network Open, 6(4), e236331. https://doi.org/https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2802987 If you are interested in teaching age appropriate nutrition classes to children in your community, please click below to read information about our Processed-Free Facilitator Training Program: https://processedfreeamerica.org/certified-processed-free-facilitator-training/

A new study reveals that the breast milk of mothers following vegetarian and vegan diets is deficient in the crucial omega-3 fatty acid called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), leading researchers to call for raised awareness and DHA supplementation for mothers who follow plant-based diets that do not include food sources of DHA. Listen in this week as Dee explains the crucial role of DHA in both babies and adults, and why DHA supplements may be important in vegan and vegetarian diets.Reference:Ureta-Velasco, N., Keller, K., Escuder-Vieco, D., Fontecha, J., Calvo, M. V., Megino-Tello, J., Serrano, J. C., Romero Ferreiro, C., García-Lara, N. R., & Pallás-Alonso, C. R. (2023). Human milk composition and nutritional status of omnivore human milk donors compared with vegetarian/vegan lactating mothers. Nutrients, 15(8), 1855. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/8/1855Link to purchase Algae Oil Supplements: https://amzn.to/3LhDteL

Transglutaminase, also called "meat glue" is a common additive used in many foods because it works to bind protein molecules from various different substances so they ""stick" and hold together. Listen in this week as Dee explains how transglutaminase works in foods, the types of foods it typically shows up in, and whether or not it's safe to eat.

Gout is a chronic arthritic condition caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood that crystallizes and deposits into the fluid surrounding the joints, resulting in excruciating joint pain. New preliminary research shows that a particular probiotic strain called Ligilactobacillus salivarius CECT 30632, has the ability to lower uric acid levels. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the details of the study and the other dietary measures that can reduce gout flare-ups.Reference:Rodríguez, J. M., Garranzo, M., Segura, J., Orgaz, B., Arroyo, R., Alba, C., Beltrán, D., & Fernández, L. (2023). A randomized pilot trial assessing the reduction of gout episodes in hyperuricemic patients by oral administration of ligilactobacillus salivarius CECT 30632, a strain with the ability to degrade purines. Frontiers in Microbiology, 14. https://doi.org/https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1111652/full Link to Video of Dee on Gout: https://processedfreeamerica.org/dee-talks-about-gout/

Water buffalo milk and its products, yogurt and cheese, have become a recent trend from Spain to various part of the U.S., appearing on the shelves of natural food markets and specialty online stores. Listen in this week as Dee discusses why the milk from water buffaloes is considered a healthier alternative to cow's milk.Purchase Buffalo Milk Cheese and Yogurt: https://www.annabella.com/https://www.bufcreamery.com/Link to Diet Science podcast on A2 Milkhttps://processedfreeamerica.org/got-a2-milk/

The fatty acids in walnuts have long been known to have heart health benefits such as lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. However, a new study shows the heart health benefits may be due to a particular gut bacteria produced when walnuts are consumed. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the details of the study and what it means for the future of heart health.References:American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). (2023, March 25). The heart benefits of walnuts likely come from the gut. EurekAlert!. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/983066Lamontagne, N. D. (2023, March 25). The heart benefits of walnuts likely come from the gut. American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/science/032523/heart-benefits-walnuts-gut

Panela is a type of unrefined sugar completely hand made in Colombia using traditional methods. Studies dating back to the 1930's show many health benefits from moderate consumption of Panela. Listen in this week as Dee talks about how this sugar is made and the nutrients in Panela that provide its health benefits. In the U.S., Panela costs more than white sugar, but it is worth the price.References:Jaffé, W. R. (2012). Health effects of non-centrifugal sugar (NCS): A review. Sugar Tech, 14(2), 87–94. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/257780624_Health_Effects_of_Non-Centrifugal_Sugar_NCS_A_ReviewInsider Business. (2023, March 14). Why Indigenous Panela Sugar Is So Expensive [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6aMgTX1rxA&ab_channel=InsiderBusinessLink to purchase Panela: https://amzn.to/432uF4o

Two recent systematic review articles examining clinical trials on the three most common types of intermittent fasting (IF) concluded that weight loss achieved by IF was comparable to weight loss achieved by a moderate-calorie diet. Also, the time of the last meal of the day has a significant impact on the amount of weight loss. Listen in this week as Dee talks about the results of these clinical trials and what it means for your approach to weight loss.Reference:Diet Science's 2018 Intermittent Fasting Podcast: https://processedfreeamerica.org/%e2%80%8b%e2%80%8bis-intermittent-fasting-a-way-to-achieve-long-term-health/ Varady, K. A., Cienfuegos, S., Ezpeleta, M., & Gabel, K. (2022). Clinical application of intermittent fasting for weight loss: Progress and future directions. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 18(5), 309–321. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41574-022-00638-xYe, Y.-F., Zhang, M.-X., Lin, Z., & Tang, L. (2022). Is intermittent fasting better than continuous energy restriction for adults wit

A new study has found a strong association between adherence to the tenets of the MIND Diet and fewer sticky beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles in brain tissue versus people who don't eat this way. Listen in this week as Dee talks about the details of this study, the tenets of the MIND Diet, and how you can implement elements of the MIND diet into your meals.Reference:Agarwal, P., Leurgans, S. E., Agrawal, S., Aggarwal, N., Cherian, laurel J., James, B. D., Dhana, K., Barnes, L. L., Bennett, D. A., & Schneider, J. A. (2023). Association of Mediterranean-Dash Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay and Mediterranean diets withAlzheimer disease pathology. Neurology. https://doi.org/10.1212/wnl.0000000000207176 

A new study has found a strong association between consumption of erythritol (a zero calorie sweetener used in many sugar-free products) and blood clotting, stroke, heart attack and death. Listen in this week as Dee talks about the details of this study and what it means for your health.Reference:Witkowski, M., Nemet, I., Alamri, H., Wilcox, J., Gupta, N., Nimer, N., Haghikia, A., Li, X. S., Wu, Y., Saha, P. P., Demuth, I., König, M., Steinhagen-Thiessen, E., Cajka, T., Fiehn, O., Landmesser, U., Tang, W. H., & Hazen, S. L. The artificial sweetener erythritol and cardiovascular event risk. Nature Medicine (2023). https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-023-02223-9

The authors of a new study make the case that Alzheimer's disease is driven by diet, and that an evolutionary survival response to forage for food triggered by the production of fructose in the brain back in cave man days has now gone haywire due to the abundance of fructose in the modern food supply. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the findings of the study, and what this means for prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.Reference:Johnson, R. J., Tolan, D. R., Bredesen, D., Nagel, M., Sánchez-Lozada, L. G., Fini, M., Burtis, S., Lanaspa, M. A., & Perlmutter, D. (2023). Could Alzheimer’s disease be a maladaptation of an evolutionary survival pathway mediated by intracerebral fructose and uric acid metabolism? The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 117(3), 455–466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.01.002

Intermittent fasting has gained popularity in recent years as a viable weight loss strategy. But is skipping the morning meal really necessary for dropping pounds? Listen in this week as Dee discusses the findings of a new study comparing intermittent fasting to portion control, and the meat timing strategy that works best for most people.Reference:Zhao, D., Guallar, E., Woolf, T. B., Martin, L., Lehmann, H., Coughlin, J., Holzhauer, K., Goheer, A. A., McTigue, K. M., Lent, M. R., Hawkins, M., Clark, J. M., & Bennett, W. L. (2023). Association of eating and sleeping intervals with weight change over time: The Daily24 cohort. Journal of the American Heart Association, 12(3), 12:e026484. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/epub/10.1161/JAHA.122.026484

In her book The Science of Skinny, Dee claimed the invention of trans fats as the worst nutritional disaster in history. Now a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) agrees. Listen in this week as Dee discusses the new report, why the WHO is calling for a global ban on trans fats, and what you can do to avoid trans fats in your foods.Reference:World Health Organization Department of Nutrition and Food Safety. (2023). Countdown to 2023: WHO report on global trans-fat elimination 2022. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240067233