Decoding Nutritional Dark Matter: Understanding How Agricultural Growing Practices Influence Nutrient Density with Dr. Stephan van Vliet

Explore the nexus of agriculture and human nutrition as we learn about cutting-edge research focused on understanding how agricultural growing practices and biodiversity shape the nutrient density of the food on our plates and our well-being. In this episode, nutrition researcher Dr. Stefan Van Vliet from Utah State University enlightens us about his collaborations with farmers, ecologists, and agricultural and nutritional scientists to study the critical linkages at this nexus.

Our dialogue traverses the influence of our diets on health metrics, highlighting the stark differences between whole foods and their ultra-processed counterparts. Learn about the transformative power of a diverse array of whole foods as we dissect research findings that reveal rapid health benefits.

Equipped with the insights of my guest, we probe deeper into the complexities of phytonutrients, protein metabolism, and the innovative research connecting what's on our plate to the earth beneath our feet. We unravel the mysteries of metabolomics, a cutting-edge tool that's unlocking the understanding of the nutritional potential of our food, and discuss the concept of 'nutritional dark matter' that may hold the key to further health advancements. Whether you're a seasoned health enthusiast or just starting to question where your meals come from, this episode promises to feed your curiosity and fuel your motivation for creating a healthier tomorrow.
Show Notes:
https://stephanvanvliet.com/
https://caas.usu.edu/directory/vanvliet-stephan
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=L5KcySQAAAAJ&hl=enStephan van Vliet (@vanvlietphd) / X