Food as Information, Not Just Fuel

Dear Friends,

I’m delighted to share our latest episode of Live Longer Better, where Leslie Kenny and I explore a subject that affects every one of us every day: food, not simply as fuel or calories, but as information that shapes how our bodies age and function.

For many years, nutrition was discussed largely in terms of calories, fats, and weight. We are now beginning to understand that food also sends signals throughout the body, influencing metabolism, inflammation, and the health of our cells and organs. Equally important is the environment around us, what scientists now call the exposome, the world in which we live, work, shop, and eat.

In our conversation, we discuss how modern food environments often make unhealthy choices far too easy. Ultra-processed foods are now everywhere, particularly in poorer communities and around schools, while healthier foods are often less accessible or more expensive. This is not simply about individual responsibility; it is also about the world we have created around ourselves.

We also explore why the Mediterranean diet remains such a valuable guide: more vegetables, fruit, fish, olive oil, and fewer ultra-processed foods and red meats. Equally important, however, is avoiding constant snacking and maintaining balance between food intake and physical activity.

One of the key messages from this episode is that exercise and diet cannot be separated. Human beings evolved in a world of constant movement, yet modern life encourages inactivity and overconsumption. Understanding this mismatch helps explain many of today’s health challenges.

The encouraging news is that small changes — eating more natural foods, moving more, and becoming more aware of our food environment — can have profound effects on long-term health and wellbeing.

Warm regards,
Sir Muir Gray