The latest food science and digestion news

What can science really tell us about how food impacts our health?

This week, we dig into the latest studies behind meal sequencing, food as skincare, organic milk benefits, food additive bans + more. Then, we close with Covid-19 isolation protocol updates + how to choose the best health insurance for you.

So grab an apple (or slice of apple pie) and nosh into…

• The Checkup: home economics
• Peas of Mind: veggies + skincare + milk
• Healthcare: insurance + isolation + additives

The Checkup

• How to fuel your body during collective grief + stress 
• Is the key to kids’ healthy eating in home economics?
• Dental insurance isn’t a scam. But it’s not real insurance
• What to know about the relief/danger of cracking knuckles
• Here’s why stomach pain + indigestion worsens with age
• Our body temperature has cooled over time. This matters
• Ginger is a healthy, magical food. Here’s how to use it
• Wanna turn a walk into an intense workout? Try rucking
• This slow-cooker chocolate cake is good for digestion!

Eat your veggies (first)!

Wanna level your blood sugar + lose weight without changing what you eat? New studies show that meal sequencing can do just that.

Eating veggies, protein + fat before carbs slows the rate at which food leaves our stomach + enters our small intestine (gastric emptying). This prevents blood sugar spikes. Veggies also trigger our gut to secrete the hormone GLP-1, which signals fullness and satiation. So if we eat veggies first, we feel full sooner. (Drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic mimic GLP-1 secretion.)

Head to the Washington Post for more science + specific how-to's.

The science of food as skincare

Can what we eat produce healthy skin—or damaged skin?! The New York Times presents the science.

In one study, older women who’d eaten more fruits, veggies + fish over their lifetime had fewer signs of skin aging (like dry skin and wrinkles) than those who routinely ate meat + processed food products.

Several studies concluded the Mediterranean diet lowers psoriasis rates and prevents skin cancer risk. Two concluded that tomato paste (rich in lycopene) protects against sun exposure damage. Several associated dairy products + sugary/starchy foods with severe acne.

So healthy food = skin health? Not always.

If you have rosacea, melasma or another skin condition, Dr. B can help protect your skin with a convenient $15 online consultation for prescription dermatology treatment.

Explore our skincare services.

Is organic milk healthier?

Organic dairy cows are never given growth hormones or antibiotics. They eat organic feed + have year-round outdoor access. But is their milk healthier for us? Bon Appétit explains.

Organic milk has a better balance of omega-3 fatty acids (which reduce inflammation) and omega 6’s (which can cause it) than conventional milk. In one study, organic samples contained zero pesticides, growth hormones or antibiotics. Conventional samples contained all three. Some even exceeded federal food safety antibiotic limits in place so that we don’t microdose and build antibiotic resistance.

But when it comes to vitamins and minerals? Conventional and organic milk deliver the good stuff pretty much equally. Pasteurization and shelf life are about equal for both, too.

Moo’d for thought on which is better?

Healthcare 411

4 questions to ask yourself when picking a health plan (Vox).

The health insurance marketplace reopens on November 1st. This article details what to consider regarding your insurance needs, budget, providers + more. Whether or not you have insurance, Dr. B can help you treat 30+ everyday conditions with a convenient online consultation. Here’s how it works.

California becomes the first state to ban 4 food additives linked to disease (NPR).

California has prohibited brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben and red dye 3 (already banned in other countries). Other states may soon follow suit. Here's more on how ultra-processed foods are literally addictive.

Do you still have to isolate if you catch Covid-19? (Time).

The CDC still recommends isolating for 5 days + masking for 5 days. Epidemiologist advisors stress that two-thirds of us remain infectious on day 6. Isolating for 10 days significantly reduces transmission risk. Read the article for more details + scenarios. If you’re at high risk, starting medication within 5 days of your first symptoms is vital. So keep in mind that Dr. B offers same-day Covid care!