The Diary Of A CEO · 2026-02-26 · Steven Bartlett (host), Jessie Inchauspé

They're Lying About 'Healthy' Foods & Sugar! Shocking New Research That's Harming You

55 research-tied claims examined: 3 contradicted 4 overstated 4 context 39 supported 5 unverified

3 Contradicted by research
0:03:39Jessie Inchauspécontradictedhigh

Unsteady blood glucose levels impact the brain neurotransmitter tyrosine, which manages mood.

"And scientists then found that when you have very unsteady glucose levels, it impacts this neurotransmitter in your brain called tyrosine that manages your mood." (said at 0:03:39)

The speaker's statement contains fundamental biochemical errors. Tyrosine is a dietary amino acid and a precursor for catecholamine neurotransmitters (such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine), not a neurotransmitter itself. Furthermore, there is no established scientific evidence showing that 'unsteady glucose levels' directly act on a 'neurotransmitter called tyrosine' to manage mood. While acute changes in glucose and insulin can affect plasma amino acid competition across the blood-brain barrier, the specific mechanism described by the speaker misstates basic neurobiology.

0:32:21Jessie Inchauspécontradictedmoderate

Adults have approximately 100 billion neurons in their brain and they are the exact same neurons present at birth because neurons are never replaced.

"And today, Steven, you have about 100 billion neurons in your brain, and they are the exact same neurons that you had the day you were born. Neurons never get replaced." (said at 0:32:21)

The speaker's assertion that the neurons in an adult brain 'are the exact same neurons that you had the day you were born' and that 'neurons never get replaced' is contradicted by evidence of adult neurogenesis in humans. While most neocortical neurons are generated around the perinatal period and do not turn over in adulthood (PMID: 16901981), neurogenesis continues throughout adulthood in discrete regions of the human brain. Notably, retrospective 14C birth dating demonstrated that approximately 700 new neurons are added daily to each hippocampus, with about one-third of hippocampal neurons undergoing turnover throughout adult life (PMID: 23746839).

0:47:06Jessie Inchauspécontradictedmoderate

Approximately 90% of people do not consume enough choline, 75% do not get enough omega-3 fatty acids, and 70% do not get enough protein.

"Your baby will probably be okay even if, like 90% of us, you don't have enough choline, even if, like 75% of us, you don't have enough omega-3s, even if, like 70% of us, you don't have enough protein" (said at 0:47:06)

The speaker's claim bundles three statistics with very different degrees of accuracy: 1) Choline: Supported. Nationally representative survey data (NHANES 2009–2012) show that only ~10.8% of Americans aged ≥2 years meet the Adequate Intake (AI) for choline, meaning roughly 90% consume less than recommended. 2) Omega-3s: Approximately accurate in broad terms, as large proportions of the population fall below recommended dietary intakes for long-chain omega-3s (EPA/DHA). 3) Protein: Contradicted. In the United States and other developed nations, the vast majority of the population meets or exceeds the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) and Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein; typical rates of inadequate protein intake are under 5–10% (primarily seen in frail older adults), nowhere near 70%. Because the claim states that 70% of people do not consume enough protein, the statement as a whole is contradicted.

Unverified means no publication matching the claim was located; it does not prove the claim false. Spotted an error? See the corrections policy - disputes from the people quoted are prioritized.