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-information

Cornucopia Institute. (2023, August 9). Apeel and edible coatings: Your questions answered. https://www.cornucopia.org/2023/07/apeel-and-edible-coatings-your-questions-answered/

Get the free Apeel Wallet Guide: https://greensmoothiegirl.com/apeel/

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 benefits of dark chocolate.

References:

Hands, J. M., Anderson, M. L., Cooperman, T., Balsky, J. E., & Frame, L. A. (2024). A multi-year heavy metal analysis of 72 dark chocolate and cocoa products in the USA. Frontiers in Nutrition, 11. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1366231/full

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 diminishing COVID-19 risk: A systematic review. PLoS ONE, 19(8), e0301564. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0301564

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 and low-fat vegan diet: A randomized, cross-over trial. Frontiers in Nutrition, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1426642

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 glycation end products in foods and a practical guide to their reduction in the diet. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 110(6), 911–16.e12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3704564/

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 Clinic. (2024, August 8). Cleveland Clinic study adds to increasing evidence that sugar substitute erythritol raises cardiovascular risk. https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2024/08/08/cleveland-clinic-study-adds-to-increasing-evidence-that-sugar-substitute-erythritol-raises-cardiovascular-risk

Witkowski, M., Wilcox, J., Province, V., Wang, Z., Nemet, I., Tang, W. W., & Hazen, S. L. (2024). Ingestion of the non-nutritive sweetener erythritol, but not glucose, enhances platelet reactivity and thrombosis potential in healthy volunteers. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology. https://doi.org/10.1161/atvbaha.124.321019. Retrieved from https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/epdf/10.1161/ATVBAHA.124.321019

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 health.

Reference:

Krenek, A. M., Mathews, A., Guo, J., Courville, A. B., Pepine, C. J., Chung, S. T., & Aggarwal, M. (2024). Recipe for heart health: A randomized crossover trial on cardiometabolic effects of extra virgin olive oil within a whole‐food plant‐based vegan diet. Journal of the American Heart Association, 13(15), e035034. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.124.035034

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