The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing across the globe. Here in Australia, it affects two in five adults. NAFLD is fast becoming a significant public health concern in western countries, including Australia, particularly as it’s also the main cause of chronic liver disease. So, what does the evidence say in terms of prevention and treatment of this disease? Join me as I speak with Senior Lecturer at Monash University, Dr Barbara Cardoso, to learn more. We discuss her latest research findings, including the role of the Mediterranean diet, and just how cr ..read more

About this episode In Australia, peanut allergy affects around 3% of the population. Because there is no cure, those with a peanut allergy must adhere to strict avoidance, which can affect quality of life. The good news is we now understand a lot more about trying to prevent food allergies developing, and much research is underway looking at possible treatments, including oral immunotherapy.  In this episode, we speak with lead researcher, Professor Mimi Tang, from Melbourne’s Murdoch Children’s Research Institute to discuss the findings their latest trial - comparing responses to peanut ..read more

About this episode For decades, we have been interested in the impact food has on human health, and the relationship between our food choices and the risk of disease. But what impact do our food choices have on the environment? We speak with Dr Gilly Hendrie, from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), as she explains some recent research - investigating how the typical Australian diet compares to the Australian Dietary Guidelines recommendations, and its impact on diet quality and the environment. The two research papers, published in Public Health Nutrition ..read more

About this episode Research supporting the role of nuts for heart health has gained significant momentum since the publication of the landmark Adventist Health Study in 1992. And the body of evidence is still growing today. But what do we know about seeds? Despite them having a relatively similar nutritional profile to nuts, does the evidence also support seeds for heart health? We speak with Lily Henderson from the New Zealand Heart Foundation. Lily explains the key findings from their recently-updated position statement on nuts, seeds and heart health, including the recommendations and impli ..read more

About this episode Nuts are rich in heart-healthy fat and are energy (kilojoule) dense. But does this mean that regularly eating nuts is linked to weight gain? No, and in fact we tend to see the opposite - eating nuts is associated with a lower body weight and a lower risk of obesity. We speak with Cassandra Nikodijevic, as she explains more findings from her PhD research – the effect of nut consumption on energy compensation and energy expenditure. Her latest findings show that eating a handful of nuts generally reduced kilojoules consumed throughout the day, compared with eating a 'control ..read more

About this episode Habitual nut intake is linked with a range of benefits, including chronic disease prevention. But population consumption data suggests that most Australians are missing out on these benefits, with nut intakes chronically low. Research tells us there are a range of barriers to nut consumption, which may help explain the reasons why so many Australians fall short of the recommended 30g serve of nuts every day. In this episode, we speak with Professor Rachel Brown from the Department of Human Nutrition at the University of Otago. She talks us through the barriers and facilitato ..read more

About this episode Many factors influence gut health, including age, gender, the environment, antibiotic use and our diets. So, what’s the best diet to ensure our gut remains healthy? And are nuts part of this? Should nuts be avoided in you have diverticular disease? And do we really need to activate nuts? In this episode of The Healthy Handful podcast, we speak with dietitian Nicole Dynan, for a deep dive into gut health. Nicole explains how foods and dietary patterns can influence the make up of the gut microbiota, including the evidence behind nuts. She also dispels some common gut myths al ..read more

About this episode In Europe, and in the US, regulators have approved the use of health claims for walnuts improving endothelial function, and for macadamias reducing the risk of heart disease, respectively. Yet to date, no such 'food-health relationship' claim has been approved for use in Australia by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).   A recent review looked into the strength of the evidence for nuts in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The body of evidence suggests that nuts have a significant beneficial impact on several indicators (or biomarkers) of CVD ..read more

About this episode This episode forms part of a series on nuts and sustainability. We speak with an expert from one of the largest nut industries in Australia – the Almond Board of Australia. Find out about the Australian Sustainable Almonds Program, which has been progressing work on a broad range of sustainability issues for more than two decades. From water use to waste management, learn more about what the almond industry is doing to ensure quality almonds are produced without compromising the health of our environment. About today’s guest Joseph Ebbage is the Market Development Manager fo ..read more

Perimenopause, menopause, post-menopause . . . terms synonymous with being female. And with this, comes a host of transitions and changes that are inevitable. What are the best foods, nutrients, and exercise routines, to help prepare women entering this life stage, and help get them to the other side? We asked perimenopause dietitian, Angelique Clark. We dive into how women can support their body with the right nutrients for mid-life, perimenopause, and post-menopause. We also unpack the lifestyle choices that offer the best outcomes. From choline and wholegrains, to alcohol and caffeine ..read more