January 4, 2024

Welcome to Ben Greenfield’s Weekly Roundup!

In this weekly post, I share with you my most interesting discoveries of the week, including the latest news on the fronts of fitness, nutrition, health, wellness, biohacking, and anti-aging research. I also recap my upcoming events and special announcements so you can keep up with opportunities to learn, giveaways, discounts, and more!

New Discoveries

Exciting News — My Latest Culinary Creation, Boundless Kitchen, Is Finally Here!

Dive into a unique blend of biohacking and molecular gastronomy with 48 innovative recipes designed for health, longevity, and pure deliciousness. I’m taking you on a wild ride through my kitchen lab, where we’ll explore everything from unconventional tools to fringe superfoods like organ meats and colostrum.

Get ready to expand your cooking skills with dishes ranging from Carrot Cake Blender Waffles to Sous Vide Blueberry Brisket. You’ll not only master techniques like sous vide and air frying but also discover the science of clean eating and the restorative power of food. Get ready to unleash a world of flavor and innovation in your cooking!

Want a copy for your kitchen, or would you like to gift Boundless Kitchen to your friends and family? Order it here.

Searching for a captivating and educational book to engage your kids’ minds? Dive into the adventurous story Cows a Playin’ Hide and Seek, written by my wife, Jessa, and her sister, Shawna. Picture cowboy Dave in an imaginative counting adventure, chasing down playful cows in an enthralling game of hide-and-seek. This book is more than just a delightful read — it’s a fantastic way to keep your little ones engaged and learning, providing a refreshing alternative to screen time.

Grab your copy now to ensure your kids are not just having a blast but also gaining valuable knowledge as they join in the excitement of rounding up the book’s lively cows.

Here’s How a Cup of Joe Can Shape Your Body’s Cortisol Response

Are you a dedicated coffee enthusiast, savoring the ritual of starting your day with a piping-hot mug of caffeinated deliciousness? Turns out you really don’t have to worry about coffee jumpstarting or shoving your morning “cortisol awakening response” into overdrive, particularly if you’ve been drinking coffee for more than five days — which defines most of us, right?

If you’re anything like me, the comforting embrace of that daily cup of joe (I recommend trying the organic medium or dark roast by Kion) sparks curiosity about the intricate relationship between caffeine and its effects on your body, especially concerning the stress hormone cortisol.

Caffeine, as you likely know, can kickstart cortisol secretion, whether you’re chilling out or under mental stress. The pressing question remains, “Can a person develop a tolerance to this cortisol spike with regular caffeine intake?”

To help you understand the connection, I’m delving into a captivating study that not only answers this question but also uncovers the surprising dance between your morning brew and your body’s stress response.

Researchers sought answers by conducting a comprehensive double-blind, crossover trial with both men and women. Over four weeks, participants alternated between abstaining from caffeine and consuming controlled doses to measure its impact on cortisol levels.

Here’s the discovery: After a five-day caffeine break, a single caffeine dose caused a significant jump in cortisol levels throughout the day. However, when participants consumed caffeine daily (300mg or 600mg per day), their morning cortisol response to caffeine practically vanished.

This pattern suggests that while the body can adapt to the cortisol-boosting effects of caffeine to some extent, this adaptation is not complete. Regular caffeine consumers might not experience the same morning cortisol spike as occasional drinkers, but they’re not entirely immune to caffeine’s impact on cortisol levels later in the day.

So, what does this mean for you and your coffee habit?

If you’re a regular coffee drinker, your body likely adjusts to the cortisol response, particularly in the morning. But if you decide to take a break from caffeine, be prepared for that familiar cortisol surge to return after about five days — a reminder that even your daily cup of joe can have more complex effects than you might realize.

Curious about my coffee habits and the pros and cons of being a coffee drinker? Check out these resources:

Interested in hearing more about this type of research as soon as I discover it? Follow me on Twitter.

My Favorite Clean Energy Drink (With ZERO Of That Pesky Folic Acid)

In a world saturated with energy drinks promising an instant pick-me-up, the pursuit of vitality often comes at a cost — compromising your health.

This is because most energy drinks are full of synthetic folic acid, which can disrupt your body’s intricate methylation process. The consequence? An insidious rise in homocysteine levels, a notorious troublemaker that doesn’t just cloud your mind with brain fog but also throws your energy levels off balance. Imagine your mental clarity slipping away, your focus faltering, and the very essence of restorative sleep becoming a distant memory. You can read up more on that paradoxical issue of folic acid in energy drinks (along with many fortified grains and cereals) here. 

Choosing energy drinks loaded with synthetic folic acid isn’t merely a gamble; it’s akin to playing Russian roulette with your vitality — a risky bet that could compromise the core elements of your well-being.

If you’ve found yourself caught in the paradox of needing an energy boost but questioning the toxic ingredients in typical concoctions, you’re not alone. The dichotomy between seeking heightened alertness and maintaining a health-conscious lifestyle is real, which is why I’m a huge fan of Update. This isn’t just another energy drink; it’s a strategic shield against the dangers lurking in typical energy boosters. It’s also zero-calorie, zero-sugar, and loaded with clean ingredients like paraxanthine, L-theanine, and essential vitamins C and B12. Additionally, Update doesn’t include any questionable additives or toxic ingredients like aspartame, sucralose, or coloring agents, either.

What do you drink when you need more energy? Have you looked at the label recently? For more detailed background and info on Update, check out this podcast episode with the company’s founder, Shawn Wells. Ready to try this game-changing energy drink now? Save some of your hard-earned bucks by using code BEN for 10% off at checkout.

Side note: if you’re curious about how your body handles methylation and folic acid, getting a genetic test like the ones from SelfDecode (use code BEN for 10% off) can be enlightening.

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