Latest news with #BetterBrain
Daily Mirror
07-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Nutritionist Tim Spector issues message to everyone eats snacks
Zoe's Tim Spector and Dr Sarah Berry said that timing is everything Bolstering your health could be as simple as ditching those late-night bites, according to nutrition expert, Tim Spector. Chatting with fellow expert Dr Sarah Berry on the Better Brain podcast, the duo highlighted the critical role that meal timing plays in our well-being, particularly warning against the detrimental habit of late-night snacking – a no-go for weight loss efforts and metabolic health. As an authority in nutrition and one of the most cited scientists worldwide, Tim Spector has an impressive Instagram following of over 702K and has delved into the science of dietary timing during his conversation with Dr Berry. They explored the adverse effects of eating post 9pm, cautioning how it can wreak havoc on cholesterol levels and overall metabolic health. Dr Berry revealed: "If you are eating later, typically after about eight or nine o'clock at night, you tend to wake up the next day more hungry, which is really counter-intuitive. And it's associated with poorer metabolic health, so higher cholesterol, higher waist circumference, and poorer insulin." The renowned Mr Spector was clear when he chimed in, reinforcing the harm caused by nocturnal nibbling: "Late night snacking is the worst thing you can do in terms of timing." The way our bodies process food changes with our circadian rhythm, which is a 24-hour cycle that regulates biological processes such as sleep, temperature and hormonal activity, reports the Daily Record. And timing is everything when it comes to digestion and metabolism. Our insulin sensitivity takes a dive and digestive processes slow to a crawl as the evening unfolds, meaning our bodies meet a greater challenge in breaking down nosh and keeping tabs on blood glucose and fat come nightfall. Dr Berry has highlighted the potential pitfalls of late-night snacking, warning that munching after 9pm could throw off our body's natural rhythm, potentially leading to poor metabolic health, increased cholesterol levels, and an expanding waistline. Intermittent fasting is a popular method for those looking to manage their eating schedule to boost metabolic health and shed some pounds. The diet, which gained traction thanks to the late Dr Michael Mosley, involves consuming food within a specific timeframe each day and fasting for the remainder. Some adherents restrict their eating to an eight-hour window, such as from 11am to 7pm, allowing for meals like breakfast, lunch, and dinner within this period. Yet, there are those who push the boundaries of intermittent fasting, limiting their intake to just six hours a day – a practice that neither Spector nor Berry would advocate. Berry said: "You don't need to go to these like, crazy regimes. You see people doing these regimes where they're eating within six hours. That might work for some people, but I want to go out in the evening." He pointed out that such restrictive diets can take a toll on our social lives, particularly when dining plans fall outside the designated 'eating window'. The scientist added: "You never have a social life, you can never have a meal with friends and family." Spector chimed in, suggesting that these extreme forms of intermittent fasting may not be maintainable in the long run. He emphasised: "There's the ultimate scientific time [of when you choose to eat], but what's really important is the time you can sustain this." It's essential we pay attention to our eating schedules and avoid post-9pm snacks, but the key is finding a routine that fits with your way of life, social commitments and circadian rhythm.
Daily Record
04-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Tim Spector says eating at specific time of day is 'worst thing you can do' for weight loss
The leading nutritionist has urged against snacking after a certain time, as it could wreak havoc on your metabolism and cholesterol. Leading nutritionist Tim Spector has warned against late night snacking, deeming it the 'worst thing you can do' for weight loss. Sitting down with fellow Zoe nutritionist Dr Sarah Berry on the Better Brain podcast, the scientists discussed the importance of timing when to eat, and how eating after a certain time in the evening can damage your health. Tim Spector is one of the world's top 100 most-cited scientists, boasting over 702K followers on Instagram. Speaking to Dr Berry, he emphasised the science behind the timing of when we eat, and how late night snacking, particularly eating after 9pm, can be damaging to cholesterol levels and metabolic health. Dr Berry explained: "If you are eating later, typically after about eight or nine o'clock at night, you tend to wake up the next day more hungry, which is really counter-intuitive. And it's associated with poorer metabolic health, so higher cholesterol, higher waist circumference, and poorer insulin." Spector added: "Late night snacking is the worst thing you can do in terms of timing." The way our bodies process food changes with our circadian rhythm, which is a 24-hour cycle that regulates biological processes such as sleep, temperature and hormonal activity. At night, our insulin sensitivity drops and our digestive system winds down, meaning that our bodies have a harder time breaking down food and managing glucose and fat. As Dr Berry explained, eating after 9pm can disrupt this rhythm, which can have negative effects on our metabolic health, cholesterol levels- and our waistlines. Intermittent fasting is one way many people choose to regulate their eating times to improve their metabolic health and lose weight. This diet involves eating during a certain window of time every day, and fasting for the rest. The late Dr Michael Mosley was a driving force in the popularity of this regime. Some people choose to eat only for an eight-hour window per day, and fast for 16 hours- for example, eating breakfast at 11am and dinner at 7pm, with lunch in between. However, some take this diet to the extreme, and set themselves an eating window as small as six hours, which Spector and Berry wouldn't necessarily recommend. Berry said: "You don't need to go to these like, crazy regimes. You see people doing these regimes where they're eating within six hours. That might work for some people, but I want to go out in the evening." These diets can impact our social lives, for example, if we have plans to go out for a meal after our 'eating window' has closed for the day. The scientist continued: "You never have a social life, you can never have a meal with friends and family." Spector added that these extreme intermittent fasting regimes are often not sustainable. He explained: "There's the ultimate scientific time [of when you choose to eat], but what's really important is the time you can sustain this." So, while we should be conscious of the times of day we choose to eat, and should avoid eating after 9pm, it's important to follow a sustainable regime that suits your lifestyle, social life and body clock. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Cambrian News
26-05-2025
- Health
- Cambrian News
Tea plants could become a more familiar sight on the hills of Wales
Among other ongoing studies is the Better Brain project, which is funded by Innovate UK and which is currently recruiting for a trial investigating the effects of a supplement containing green tea extract, ginseng and omega-3s on cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults.
Pembrokeshire Herald
21-05-2025
- Science
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Time for more home grown tea cultivation?
ROWS of tea plants could become a more familiar sight on the hills of Wales and other parts of the UK in the future. Scientists at Aberystwyth University have been using machine-learning to analyse the chemical make-up of tea grown in non-traditional areas, including Powys in mid Wales and Dartmoor in south west England. They hope their findings will help emerging tea growers in the UK to develop breeding strategies, cultivation practices and processing methods which suit climate conditions in this part of the world. The research team are currently working with Dartmoor Estate Tea in Devon which is known for its unique microclimate and soil diversity. The study is focusing on six varieties of tea which have been selected by the estate for their adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and their potential for chemical diversity. Speaking on International Tea Day 2025, Dr Amanda J Lloyd, a senior researcher in food, diet and health at Aberystwyth University's Department of Life Sciences, said: 'This study is contributing to the growing field of metabolomics by providing a comprehensive chemical profile of tea grown in a non-traditional region. Our findings offer new insights into the adaptability of tea plants and their potential for cultivation in emerging regions, contributing to global food security and agricultural diversification. Further research will now need to be carried out and should include multi-seasonal sampling, comparisons with traditional tea-growing regions, and analysis of processed tea to provide a more comprehensive understanding of tea chemistry.' The study's findings have been shared in an academic paper published in Metabolites, an international, peer-reviewed open access journal. Dr Lloyd and her team have also been working with Buckhall Farm near Knighton in Powys which is pioneering tea cultivation in high-altitude Welsh conditions. The project was part of the first phase of the SBRI Agri-Food Technology Challenge, funded by the Welsh Government. The work builds on an innovative portfolio of research at Aberystwyth University focused on tea's health benefits, sustainable cultivation and consumer behaviour. Among other ongoing studies is the Better Brain project, which is funded by Innovate UK and which is currently recruiting for a trial investigating the effects of a supplement containing green tea extract, ginseng and omega-3s on cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults. The study is led by the Well-being and Health Assessment Research Unit (WARU) at the University, working with colleagues from the Department of Psychology and using advanced electroencephalogram (EEG) technology to assess cognition and wellbeing. Professor Nigel Holt from the Department of Psychology and the University's Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor, International, said: 'Tea is not only comforting but increasingly reveals itself to be a cognitive ally. Our research is helping us understand the deep biochemical relationships between tea's compounds and mental function. Better Brain is particularly exciting because it bridges nutrition, psychology and neurophysiology.' For more information on our tea research or to participate in current studies, take a look at the WARU website.
