Speaker Series

Dr Chris van Tulleken on Ultra Processed People

Speaker Series

Show Notes

Dr Chris van Tulleken is an award-winning broadcaster, practising NHS doctor and leading academic, and author of "Ultra-Processed People: Why Do We All Eat Stuff That Isn't Food ... and Why Can't We Stop?"

In this episode, Chris dives into the science behind ultra-processed foods and their profound impact on our health, bodies, and society. Drawing on insights from his book, Chris unpacks the hidden mechanisms that shape our modern diets and discusses what we can do to reclaim control over what we eat. Dr Suze Kundu chats with Chris about how thinks we can challenge ourselves to think differently about the food industry, our health, and the role of science in uncovering the truth.

⁠Read more here⁠ and ⁠watch the episode here⁠.

Series lead and interviewer: ⁠Dr Suze Kundu⁠, Director of Researcher and Community Engagement, ⁠Digital Science⁠. Filming and production support: Huw James, Science Story Lab. Recorded in September 2023.

More from Speaker Series

Jan 7, 2025

Deborah Blum is an acclaimed science journalist, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, and Director of the Knight Science Journalism program at MIT. With a career spanning decades, she has worked tirelessly to bridge the gap between science and the public through her compelling storytelling and her commitment to advancing science literacy. Her influential books, including The Poisoner’s Handbook and The Poison Squad, explore the intersection of science, history, and societal impact, earning her widespread recognition. At the Knight Science Journalism program, Deborah leads efforts to train and support journalists worldwide, fostering a global community dedicated to improving the quality of science communication and addressing pressing challenges like misinformation and declining public trust in science.

Dec 3, 2024

For our host Suze, the countdown to Christmas means three things - excitement, new gadgets, and an almost daily dose of Disney in one form or another. So, since it's December, let's tick off a hattrick of all three of those boxes with this special extra-long conversation with Dr Danny Hillis - inventor, innovator, and the founder of Applied Invention. Want to avoid that annual appraisal or procrastinate around your 2025 planning? Grab a drink and a chocolate orange, and spend 50 minutes hearing from the legend that developed the knowledge graph that provides the foundations for Google Search.

Nov 5, 2024

As the Aaron Sorkin global political drama that is 2024 reached its season finale in the USA in November, Suze sat down for a chat about the politicisation of research with Professor Jenny Reardon, Professor of Sociology at the University of California Santa Cruz, and the Founder of Science and Justice Research Center.

Oct 1, 2024

People who win awards tend to win more awards in the future. Even putting yourself forward for self-nominated awards falls along the lines of privilege and confidence. And even if you win awards, there is no guarantee that it will have a positive impact on your research career as measured by traditional metrics of success. How can we diversify the talents we celebrate and support, and ensure that no groundbreaking discoveries are overlooked, to truly tackle the global challenges we are facing as a society?

Sep 2, 2024

If I said the word “mathematics”, it is a fairly safe bet that reactions would be mixed. While many people love maths, the subject can provoke quite a different response in others. It is common for folks to be transported back in time to childhood memories of formulae written on classroom whiteboards in what feels like a different language.

See all episodes →