Eat your way to better gynecological health | Dr. Jennifer Ashton & Prof. Sarah Berry

A good gynecologist is like a detective. She gathers evidence to diagnose infections. She uncovers the truth behind stages like puberty, pregnancy and perimenopause. Yet many women still feel that their physiology is a mystery. What if a clue to that mystery hides in our diet? Similar to the gut, certain foods make the vaginal microbiome thrive. New research suggests that the right diet could alleviate symptoms of the most common gynecological diseases. Dr Jennifer Ashton is former Chief Medical Correspondent at ABC News and is a double-board certified OBGYN. She joins us today to discuss ‘nutritional gynecology’, a term she coined after realizing multiple women’s health issues have a direct relationship to nutrition. Alongside Jen is King’s College London professor and ZOE’s Chief Scientist Sarah Berry. Sarah shines light on the growing evidence of the role of nutrition in offsetting uncomfortable, and sometimes dangerous, symptoms of menopause. 🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST 🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30+ *Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system Follow ZOE on Instagram. Timecodes: 00:00 What you eat matters 02:00 Quickfire questions 04:05 What gets treated in gynecology? 07:19 What is the vaginal microbiome? 11:30 This affects the vaginal microbiome 13:46 The new field of nutritional gynecology 15:57 Does estrogen affect appetite? 17:19 The gut bacteria that breaks down estrogen 21:22 How food impacts puberty 23:21 Do glucose spikes affect pregnancy? 28:35 Symptoms of PCOS 33:00 Dr Jen explains endometriosis 37:20 Does diet affect these conditions? 42:00 How to test diet changes on yourself 📚Books by our ZOE Scientists The Food For Life Cookbook Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector Free resources from ZOE: Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition Gut Guide - For a Healthier Microbiome in Weeks Studies relevant to this episode Diet and Nutrition in Gynecological Disorders: A Focus on Clinical Studies (2021, published in Nutrients Effects of caloric intake timing on insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism in lean women with polycystic ovary syndrome (2013), published in Clinical Science Weight Regulation in Menopause (2022), published in Menopause Menopause, the gut microbiome, and weight gain: correlation or causation? (2020), published in Menopause Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here. Episode transcripts are available here.