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Nutrition Science Bites with Professor Clare Collins AO
Is Honey Good For You, Or Not? ... with Ilyse Jones
In this conversation, Prof Clare Collins and Ilyse Jones explore the multifaceted topic of honey, addressing listener questions about its health benefits, uses, and potential risks. They delve into the composition of honey, the differences between medical-grade and regular honey, and the science behind its antimicrobial properties. The discussion also covers the comparison of honey with sugar and maple syrup, the role of propolis, and the dangers of 'mad' honey. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize the importance of understanding the source and quality of honey, especially regarding its use in wound healing and its safety for infants.
Key Takeaways
- Honey has potential health benefits but varies by source
- Propolis, or bee 'glue', may help lower LDL-cholesterol
- Honey contains antimicrobial properties due to its composition
- Always consult your doctor before using medical-grade honey for wounds
- Raw honey is not suitable for infants due to potential for contamination with bacterial spores
- Mad honey can cause adverse effects and is illegal in some places
- Maple syrup has a lower glycemic index than honey
Review on Honey as a Topical Treatment for Wounds Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25742878/
Review on Propolis Consumption and Blood Pressure, Lipids and Glycemic Parameters in Adults. Br J Nutr. 2025 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39610126/
To access the Healthy Eating Quiz: Click on the top right hand 'green button' called 'How healthy is my diet' https://nomoneynotime.com.au/
Want a more Personalised Food, Nutrient Assessment Report? Use our Australian Eating Survey - For a 50% discount enter the 'DietCheck' code at the checkout! Purchase here https://australianeatingsurvey.com.au/
Here's the link to the No Money No Time closed Facebook group (be sure to take the Healthy Eating Quiz first) https://www.facebook.com/groups/386824626838448
Our No Money No Time email: nmnt@newcastle.edu.au and our Nutrition Science Bites email: nutritionsciencebites@newcastle.edu.au
Are you in a position to make donation to support our No Money No Time website? Donate here
Keywords
honey, nutrition, health benefits, wound healing, antimicrobial properties, sugar alternatives, propolis, honeydew, dental health, tooth decay, raw honey
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Happy Holidays - A guide to Christmas meal prep - Plus last minute gift ideas!
33:43|Merry Christmas from Nutrition Science Bites! Thank you for your support throughout the year - we hope you enjoy a relaxing holiday season! In this festive episode, Prof Clare Collins and Ilyse Jones share last-minute gift ideas, stress-busting tips, and budget-friendly meal planning to make your celebrations easier and healthier. Discover creative ways to use seasonal ingredients, make meals look amazing, and whip up simple non-alcoholic drinks. Plus, learn how to reduce food waste, keep leftovers safe, and create lasting memories through your favorite recipes.Try our NEW festive recipes on No Money No Time including a Strawberry and Walnut Christmas Salad and Spinach and Feta Christmas Bonbons! https://nomoneynotime.com.au/healthy-easy-recipesFind our 3 FREE No Money No Time eBooks here: https://nomoneynotime.com.au/ebooks-meal-plans-more/ebooks including;Preparing a budget friendly Christmas Feast,Perfect Picnics and How to Keep Kids Busy at Christmas Try our No Money No Time tips for reducing money spent on alcohol over the festive season here: https://nomoneynotime.com.au/hacks-myths-faqs/our-tips-for-managing-your-alcohol-intake-this-festive-season
Could you have Vitamin B6 overload? What are the signs and symptoms?
18:54|In line with a key update from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), this episode explores all things vitamin B6. Prof Clare Collins and Ilyse Jones discuss the serious issue of vitamin B6 toxicity, and emphasise the importance of reading labels carefully, as many supplements contain hidden ingredients that can lead to health complications. The conversation also explores the growing trend of supplement use, why professional guidance is essential, and why a diet rich in whole foods is the safest way to meet your nutritional needs. The TGA has announced stronger safety controls for products containing vitamin B6, where products containing 50mg or more will (from 1 June 2027) require advice from a pharmacist or a prescription from a doctor to be available for sale - to reduce the risk of nerve damage from long-term high-dose use. You can read the full update here: https://www.tga.gov.au/news/media-releases/stronger-safety-controls-be-introduced-products-containing-vitamin-b6Consumers should always check labels for vitamin B6 (also called pyridoxine, pyridoxamine, or pyridoxal) and seek medical advice if experiencing symptoms like tingling, burning, or numbness in hands or feet.Foods rich in magnesium: Nuts, wholegrains, legumes (like lentils), dark green vegetables, avocadoFoods rich in Vitamin B6: Meat, chicken, peanuts, tofu and soy products, oats and some fortified breakfast cereals, bananas, watermelon and milk. Are you in a position to make a small donation to support No Money No Time? Donate here
26. What is gluten sensitivity and is it different to coeliac disease? with Associate Professor Jessica Biesiekierski
35:50||Season 4, Ep. 26In this Nutrition Science Bites episode Prof Clare Collins discuss non-coeliac gluten sensitivity with A/Prof Jessica Biesiekierski. They talk about gluten, what it is and where it's found, differences between gluten sensitivity and coeliac disease, and how a sensitivity is diagnosed. The conversation explores the gut-brain connection, highlighting how stress can affect your gut and alter perceptions of normal digestive processes. They talk about a group of complex carbohydrates called FODMAPs, or fermentable oligo-, di-, mono-saccharide and polyols that can cause gut disruption and digestive health problems for some people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or even Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). They discuss nutritional implications of going gluten free, or not and what people can do to try and improve their nutrition related health and wellbeing. They encourage people experiencing health anxiety to discuss it with their doctor and mention the online programs addressing it from THis Way Up. Lastly, they mention the research A/Prof Jess is doing, including an online study open to eligible people living anywhere in Australia or the USA with IBD . Links are added in the show notes.Want to join an online research study comparing a low-FODMAP diet with exposure-based therapy to retrain the gut–brain connection? Check your eligibility here www.gutresearchstudy.comThis Way Up: Online programs to address Health Anxiety https://thiswayup.org.au/what-we-treat/health-anxietyTry A/Prof Jess's Veggie Wraps recipe: https://nomoneynotime.com.au/healthy-easy-recipes/jesss-fresh-fajita-wraps To access the Healthy Eating Quiz: Click on the top right hand 'green button' called 'How healthy is my diet' https://nomoneynotime.com.au/Want a more Personalised Food, Nutrient Assessment Report? Use our Australian Eating Survey - For a 50% discount enter the 'DietCheck' code at the checkout! Purchase here https://australianeatingsurvey.com.au/Here's the link to the No Money No Time closed Facebook group (be sure to take the Healthy Eating Quiz first) https://www.facebook.com/groups/386824626838448Our No Money No Time email: nmnt@newcastle.edu.au and our Nutrition Science Bites email: nutritionsciencebites@newcastle.edu.au Are you in a position to make donation to support our No Money No Time website? Donate hereKeywordsGluten, gut-brain connection, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, IBS, stress response, digestive health, neural perception, hyper awareness, non-coeliac disease, FODMAPs, gut-brain axis, gut health
25. What's your microbiome got to do with blood pressure? ...with Prof Francine Marques
36:25||Season 4, Ep. 25This conversation with Professor Francine Marques discusses her research on the microbiome and blood pressure. It covers the relationship between dietary fibre and by-products of fermentation in your gut, called short chain fatty acids, that influence blood pressure. We discuss the impact of lifestyle changes on blood pressure management and cover the importance of research trials for validating interventions that have potential to influence health. Check out the link to current studies being done in Prof Francine's lab, including her current clinical trial https://www.marqueslab.com/trialsKey TakeawaysIn as little as three weeks, you can reduce blood pressure.A reduction of six millimeters mercury is equivalent to taking one medication.The role of nutrition in health is powerful.Lifestyle changes can have a profound impact on health.Understanding blood pressure management is crucial for overall health.Prof Francine's Pearl Couscous Salad recipe: https://nomoneynotime.com.au/healthy-easy-recipes/francines-pearl-couscous-saladNo Money No Time: How do I increase my fibre intake? https://nomoneynotime.com.au/hacks-myths-faqs/how-do-i-increase-my-fibre-intakeTo access the Healthy Eating Quiz: Click on the top right hand 'green button' called 'How healthy is my diet' https://nomoneynotime.com.au/Want a more Personalised Food, Nutrient Assessment Report? Use our Australian Eating Survey - For a 50% discount enter the 'DietCheck' code at the checkout! Purchase here https://australianeatingsurvey.com.au/Here's the link to the No Money No Time closed Facebook group (be sure to take the Healthy Eating Quiz first) https://www.facebook.com/groups/386824626838448Our No Money No Time email: nmnt@newcastle.edu.au and our Nutrition Science Bites email: nutritionsciencebites@newcastle.edu.au Are you in a position to make donation to support our No Money No Time website? Donate hereKeywords: health innovations, lifestyle impact, blood pressure management, randomized controlled trials, health research
24. Should you eat 'acid foods' or not? ...with Ilyse Jones
20:30||Season 4, Ep. 24In this #NutritionScienceBites episode I talk with Ilyse Jones about whether 'acid' food is a thing - or not! We covers what a pH level is, what acidity and alkalinity are in relation to foods, plus how the body metabolises food and makes pH adjustments so that blood pH is regulated within a very narrow range. We discuss Potential Renal Acid Load (PRAL), a score that estimates the amount of acid a food produces within the body after digestion and in response to filtering processes in the kidneys. While food pH may not impact your health or blood pH, the body's regulatory mechanisms are crucial for maintaining optimal pH levels and kidney health and overall health and wellbeing.Key takeaways1. The pH of food is not crucial for health.2. Blood pH is tightly regulated between 7.3 to 7.45.3. The body has mechanisms to regulate and maintain pH levels.4. Extreme pH changes can be life-threatening.5. The impact of food choices on pH is often overstated.6. Understanding kidney pH can help in making informed dietary choices.7. Health is more about balance than specific pH levels.For more information about kidney health, check out the Kidney Health Australia website: https://kidney.org.au/To access the Healthy Eating Quiz: Click on the top right hand 'green button' called 'How healthy is my diet' https://nomoneynotime.com.au/Want a more Personalised Food, Nutrient Assessment Report? Use our Australian Eating Survey - For a 50% discount enter the 'DietCheck' code at the checkout! Purchase here https://australianeatingsurvey.com.au/Here's the link to the No Money No Time closed Facebook group (be sure to take the Healthy Eating Quiz first) https://www.facebook.com/groups/386824626838448Our No Money No Time email: nmnt@newcastle.edu.au and our Nutrition Science Bites email: nutritionsciencebites@newcastle.edu.au Are you in a position to make donation to support our No Money No Time website? Donate hereKeywords: pH, health, wellbeing, blood pH, nutrition, acid, acidity, alkalinity, kidney function, renal, PRAL
451. Food Additives: Dr Karl talks with Prof Clare Collins about Food Additives
28:26||Ep. 451Thanks to Dr Karl and his team at Shirtload of Science for another fabulous podcast with Laureate Professor Clare Collins. We are sharing this episode on our Nutrition Science Bites channel with approval from Dr Karl!In this episode, I’m joined by Professor Clare Collins, Australian dietitian and Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Newcastle. Clare is my go-to expert when it comes to all things nutrition, and today she’s here to unpack the often confusing world of processed and ultra-processed foods.We dive into what really separates the two, explore the role of additives, emulsifiers, and flavour enhancers, and discuss how some of these ingredients, designed to make foods more appealing, may be doing our health more harm than good. Plus, she shares practical, no-nonsense tips to help you make smarter choices next time you’re wandering the grocery aisles.Check out Clare’s free online resource, No Money No Time, for simple, budget-friendly recipes and nutrition advice - nomoneynotime.com.au/Follow Clare on X: @ProfCCollins and LinkedIn: Clare Collins.
23. Can what you eat (or choose not to eat) save the Planet? ... with Professor Karen Charlton
30:41||Season 4, Ep. 23In this conversation, Professors Clare Collins and Karen Charlton discuss planetary health and the relatively recent concept of the 'planetary diet'. They cover the impact of food choices on global health and environmental sustainability. The discussion covers the evolution of the planetary health diet, the importance of policy in shaping food systems, and the eight action areas necessary for creating sustainable food practices. Professor Karen highlights the need to address food waste, promote social justice, and align financial policies to ensure food and nutrition security for all. The conversation concludes with a call to action for individuals to make small changes in their daily eating habits and to advocate for food-related policies to support planetary health.Try Karen's Planetary Health BowlTakeawaysFood systems drive roughly about a third of global greenhouse emissions.The planetary health diet emphasizes plant-based foods and modest amounts of animal products.Policy changes are essential for sustainable food systems.Halving food waste is a critical goal for sustainability.Social justice and workers' rights are important in food systems.Food insecurity is a growing issue in Australia.Respecting traditional diets can enhance food systems.Innovation in food production is necessary for sustainability.A rights-based approach to food systems is crucial.Small changes in individual eating habits can contribute to planetary health.To access the Healthy Eating Quiz: Click on the top right hand 'green button' called 'How healthy is my diet' https://nomoneynotime.com.au/Want a more Personalised Food, Nutrient Assessment Report? Use our Australian Eating Survey - For a 50% discount enter the 'DietCheck' code at the checkout! Purchase here https://australianeatingsurvey.com.au/Here's the link to the No Money No Time closed Facebook group (be sure to take the Healthy Eating Quiz first) https://www.facebook.com/groups/386824626838448Our No Money No Time email: nmnt@newcastle.edu.au and our Nutrition Science Bites email: nutritionsciencebites@newcastle.edu.au Are you in a position to make donation to support our No Money No Time website? Donate hereKeywords: planetary health, planetary diet, sustainable food systems, food choices, climate change, nutrition, food waste, social justice, food security, governance
22. Should you eat breakfast? with Ilyse Jones
39:32||Season 4, Ep. 22In this conversation, Prof Clare Collins and Ilyse explore the multifaceted topic of breakfast, addressing common questions and recent research findings. They discuss the impact of breakfast on appetite hormones, microbiome diversity, cognitive function, and weight management. The conversation also delves into practical tips for budget-friendly breakfast options and the nutritional value of breakfast cereals, emphasizing the importance of incorporating breakfast foods into daily diets for overall health and well-being.Key Takeaways:Breakfast can influence appetite hormones and satiety.Skipping breakfast may lead to weight gain due to hormone dysregulation.A diverse microbiome is linked to regular breakfast consumption.Cognitive function can decline in those who skip breakfast.Breakfast foods contribute essential nutrients to the diet.Budget-friendly options like rolled oats are effective for breakfast.Ready-to-eat cereals can provide higher nutrient intakes.Chewing food boosts blood flow to the brain, enhancing function.Planning ahead for breakfast can improve dietary habits.Skipping breakfast is associated with higher risks of depression.No Money No Time: 5 Quick Easy and Healthy Breakfast Ideas https://nomoneynotime.com.au/hacks-myths-faqs/5-quick-easy-and-healthy-breakfast-ideasTo access the Healthy Eating Quiz: Click on the top right hand 'green button' called 'How healthy is my diet' https://nomoneynotime.com.au/Want a more Personalised Food, Nutrient Assessment Report? Use our Australian Eating Survey - For a 50% discount enter the 'DietCheck' code at the checkout! Purchase here https://australianeatingsurvey.com.au/Here's the link to the No Money No Time closed Facebook group (be sure to take the Healthy Eating Quiz first) https://www.facebook.com/groups/386824626838448Our No Money No Time email: nmnt@newcastle.edu.au and our Nutrition Science Bites email: nutritionsciencebites@newcastle.edu.au Are you in a position to make donation to support our No Money No Time website? Donate hereKeywordsbreakfast, nutrition, appetite hormones, microbiome, cognitive function, weight management, healthy eating, mental health, breakfast cereals, budget-friendly meals