The Gut-Brain Connection with Neil deGrasse Tyson & Max Lugavere

How does food impact your brain health? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly break down the gut-brain connection with Genius Foods author and science journalist, Max Lugavere. What are the best foods for your brain? We discuss the science of what foods help keep your brain strong, healthy, and could delay the onset of dementia. Discover DHA fats, carotenoids, and Omega-3 fatty acids. Learn about the intersection of diet and lifestyle and how what you eat impacts your brain health. Are egg yolks really bad for you? If you have an Alzheimer’s risk gene are you guaranteed to get the disease? Find out how epigenetics affects genetic outcomes and how obesity impacts the brain. How does diet connect to mental health? We explore how nutritional changes can help with depression treatment outcomes. Can food be medicine? Could you put everything nutritious in one pill? Find out why you can’t distill food down to just its essential nutrients. Is there a best way to eat? We discuss polarization of different diets and how you should be eating. Why are ultra-processed foods so bad for you? How do you start eating for your brain health? Is bespoke nutrition the answer? Thanks to our Patrons Elle M., Shredstick72, Vern Keskinen, beverly mcclain, Tressa Eubank, and Mark howell for supporting us this week. NOTE: StarTalk Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free. Get the NEW Cosmic Queries book (5/5 ⭐s on Amazon!): Support us on Patreon: FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to StarTalk: Twitter: Facebook: Instagram: About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #neildegrassetyson 00:00 - Introduction: Nutrition and Brain Health 2:20 - Dementia & Diet 4:18 - Why Millennials Should Be Paying Attention to Dementia Prevention 8:04 - What Foods Are Good for the Brain? 14:45 - Does What You Eat Increase the Risk of Dementia? 20:28 - Diet & Mental Health 25:39 - Could You Put Everything Good in a Pill? 29:47 - Being an Omnivore, Obesity, & Circadian Rhythms 36:44 - Why Ultra Processed Foods Are Bad for the Brain 40:52 - Food Labeling & Nutrient Deficiencies 44:44 - Do We Need Ultra Processed Foods to Feed Everyone? 46:18 - Biomedical Liposuction 47:41 - Little Empty Boxes & What Nutrition is Right?