Newsletter Issue #9 - "Plant-Based." "Keto." "Guilt Free." Don't Fall For It.

Plus AI in the Kitchen, and Why Your Steps Actually Matter

Newsletter Issue #9

7.95MB ∙ PDF file

Download

This issue centres on the Health Halo Effect, how a single positive word on food packaging tricks us into assuming the whole product is healthy, with Dr. Vincent and Stephen unpacking real examples from folic-acid cereals to vegan burgers and energy drinks, and offering practical label-reading strategies. Subscriber Q&As cover the halo effect in tech (Apple's green branding), recyclable eyewear, and a fun detour into Filipino dessert halo halo. Stephen shares a behind-the-scenes look at using a self-hosted reasoning AI to generate a roasted passata recipe, exposing both the impressive capabilities and the real inconsistencies AI can produce without human oversight. The Daily Dose recap covers collagen, the 10,000 steps mortality study, olive oil and brain health, smartwatch data at doctor appointments, and the science of venting. The issue also features Renovatio's Activated Apple Cider Vinegar as the product of the week.

Download

This week Stephen and I got into something that genuinely frustrates me: the Health Halo Effect. It’s the reason so many people eat “healthy” for months and see no change in their weight, their cholesterol, or how they feel. It’s not their fault. Food companies are very good at putting one glowing word on the front of a packet and hoping you never flip it over. We went through real examples including vegan burgers, energy drinks, and “all natural” oat slices with 20% sugar, and I tried to give people the actual tools to see through it, because awareness alone isn’t enough. You have to read the label.

We also did something a little different this issue. Stephen put his self-hosted AI through its paces generating a passata recipe with verbose reasoning turned on, so you can see exactly how these models think and where they get it wrong. It’s a genuinely useful window into why AI is brilliant for ingredients and substitutions but still can’t replace a recipe that’s actually been tested in a real kitchen.

On the Daily Dose side, I covered a 72,000-person study on walking and mortality, why extra virgin olive oil and regular olive oil are not interchangeable for brain health, and my personal favourite of the week: the science of why complaining can actually be good for you.

With my best,

Dr Vincent

---

After Hours is where science gets personal. Hosted by Dr Vincent, your friendly neighbourhood scientist and Stephen!
This podcast is part of the Ask Dr Vincent on Substack.

🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode
📩 Weekly newsletter every Sunday at AskDrVincent.com
📺 Full video episodes every Thursday after 5pm

Let’s be mates!