The surprising truth about lectins

The surprising truth about lectins

Author: ZOE November 2, 2023 Duration: 26:47
What are lectins, and are they dangerous? These “antinutrients” have come under attack and were recently the subject of a dietary fad fueled by a popular book. As always, there’s more to the story. In today’s episode, Jonathan is joined by Dr. Will Bulsiewicz to dive deep into the world of lectins. They dissect questionable studies, debunk myths, and offer expert advice about how to approach foods containing these misunderstood compounds. Will is a board-certified gastroenterologist with 14 years of experience. He’s also the New York Times best-selling author of Fiber Fueled and ZOE’s U.S. medical director.  If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalized nutrition program. Download our FREE guide — Top 10 Tips to Live Healthier: https://zoe.com/freeguide Follow ZOE on Instagram. Mentioned in today’s episode: Lectins as bioactive plant proteins: A potential in cancer treatment from Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition Plant-derived lectins as potential cancer therapeutics and diagnostic tools from BioMed Research International A legume-based hypocaloric diet reduces proinflammatory status and improves metabolic features in overweight/obese subjects from the European Journal of Nutrition Dietary legume consumption reduces risk of colorectal cancer: Evidence from a meta-analysis of cohort studies from Scientific Reports Intake of legumes and cardiovascular disease: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis from Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases Legume consumption is inversely associated with type 2 diabetes incidence in adults: A prospective assessment from the PREDIMED study from Clinical Nutrition The effects of legume consumption on markers of glycaemic control in individuals with and without diabetes mellitus: A systematic literature review of randomised controlled trials from Nutrients Effects of dietary pulse consumption on body weight: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials from The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition  The "white kidney bean incident" in Japan from Methods in Molecular Biology Fructan, rather than gluten, induces symptoms in patients with self-reported non-celiac gluten sensitivity from Gastroenterology Is there a nutrition topic you’d like us to explore? Email us at podcast@joinzoe.com, and we’ll do our best to cover it.  Episode transcripts are available here.

Ever feel like the advice on eating well shifts with the wind? ZOE Science & Nutrition cuts through the noise by going straight to the source. Each conversation, hosted by Jonathan Wolf, sits down with leading researchers who are actually shaping our understanding of the human body, particularly the profound role of gut health. This isn't about quick fixes or fad diets; it's a deep and accessible exploration of the science itself. You'll hear these experts break down complex studies on nutrition and metabolism, then translate those findings into clear, actionable steps you can consider for your own life. The discussions span how food impacts everything from your energy levels and immune system to long-term weight management and disease prevention. Tuning into this podcast feels like having a direct line to the frontiers of nutritional science, all presented in a grounded, engaging way that makes even the most intricate topics relatable. It’s for anyone who’s curious about the real reasons behind why we eat what we eat and how those choices fundamentally shape our health.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 304

ZOE Science & Nutrition
Podcast Episodes
Trans fats: how worried should you be? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:13
Trans fats have a bad reputation. But we now know a lot more about these fats than we did when the first horror stories about them emerged. So, based on the latest science, just how worried should we be? Listen to today’…
'Miracle' weight loss drug Ozempic is approved. But does it work? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:53
A miracle weight loss drug that’s approved in the US and the UK and has few side effects? Ozempic is going viral on social media. Users are posting dramatic before and after pictures of their weight loss. An Ozempic tren…
Nightshade vegetables: hazard or health food? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:19
Nightshade vegetables — even the name is ominous. Some people believe they exacerbate arthritis and can cause inflammation. So, should we avoid them? In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Will…
Michael Mosley: 4 habits that changed his life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:14
If you had to do just one thing to improve your health, what would it be? Our busy lives mean it can be difficult to keep up healthy habits, and with so much conflicting advice out there it’s tricky to separate fact from…
Everything you've heard about lactose is wrong [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:11
Lactose is usually only discussed in the context of intolerance. This intolerance can make us feel bloated, gassy and uncomfortable. But from cow’s milk to yoghurt and even breast milk, lactose is everywhere! So, can it…
Best of gut health - anniversary edition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:10
Gut health is a topic we talk about a lot at ZOE. The gut doesn’t just fight disease, it boosts our mood, processes energy and so much more. Today’s bonus episode journeys through everything we’ve learnt about gut health…
The future is here: AI and personalized healthcare with Eric Topol [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:18
If you were to ask Siri, Alexa, or ChatGPT for medical advice right now, that would be a terrible idea. But with recent developments in technology, this looks set to change. AI has become more intelligent, wearable devic…
Eggs: are they good for me? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:29
Eggs are nutrient-dense and have a long shelf life. Compared with many other protein sources, they’re on the cheaper side. But they’re not as popular as they used to be. And a lot of this comes down to a debate about cho…
How to maximize health in your later years [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:55
Why do some people remain fit and healthy in their later years while others become increasingly frail? Researchers from Kings College London have been following thousands of twins for 30 years in an effort to understand…
The ultimate guide to constipation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:13
The formal definition for constipation is ‘Having fewer than three bowel movements per week’. But, did you know that you can have a bowel movement every day and still be constipated? Recent data has shown that a quarter…