The Orange Pill Podcast

From sourdough bread to kombucha, fermentation has long been a cornerstone of human diets. But what was once a preservation method is now driving some of the boldest innovations in food science. In this episode, we explore five surprising ways fermentation is transforming the future of food—from unlocking hidden nutrition and reintroducing microbial diversity, to turning food waste into gourmet ingredients, breeding microbes for fl...

From farm to fork, our food supply chain is one of the most complex in the modern world. But while we often imagine technology’s role as simply faster machines or warehouse robots, the true disruption is happening in ways we don’t see.

In Episode 59 of the Orange Pill Podcast, we uncover four surprising ways AI and IoT are secretly reshaping the food industry—from collapsing product development timelines and predicting real consume...

Caffeine is the world’s most widely consumed psychoactive substance, naturally found in coffee, tea, and chocolate, but now added to everything from energy drinks and supplements to waffles and chewing gum. With this rapid expansion, regulators and health experts are re-examining the science and safety of caffeine consumption.

In this episode, we break down:

• Safe daily intake levels for healthy adults and vulnerable groups.

• ...

Coffee and caffeine are cultural cornerstones in the United States, but consumption trends have shifted dramatically over the past century. From the wartime rise of instant coffee to today’s specialty café culture and booming energy drink market, Americans’ relationship with caffeine keeps evolving.

In this episode of the Orange Pill Podcast, we unpack key findings from recent research on coffee and caffeine consumption patterns in...

In this episode of the Orange Pill Podcast, we explore the promise of D-mannose, a functional sugar gaining recognition as a non-antibiotic solution for urinary tract infections (UTIs).

We break down findings from a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled study (Current Urology, 2025) where the product UClear, developed by KEB Nutraceuticals and clinically tested by KGK Science, demonstrated significant improvements in UTI sym...

In Episode 55 of the Orange Pill Podcast, we dive into the newly released “Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy” from the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission, chaired by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

This landmark strategy, unveiled on September 9, 2025, lays out more than 120 initiatives to combat the epidemic of chronic disease among America’s children. From restoring gold-standard sc...

Gen Z is reshaping the future of food. From sustainability and ethics to bold flavors, functional foods, and the powerful role of social media, their choices reflect values as much as taste and price. In this episode, we explore what drives Gen Z’s food preferences, the trends that matter most, and what brands need to know to stay relevant in a market increasingly defined by this generation. Whether you’re in product development, m...

Statistics can make or break the credibility of a clinical trial, but too often they’re misunderstood. In this episode, we dive into the statistical backbone of clinical research — P-values, null hypothesis, sample size, effect size, and safety data — and uncover the common misconceptions that can distort how results are interpreted.

From the chronic confusion around what a P-value really means, to why sample size isn’t everything,...

The women’s health supplement market is booming, projected to hit nearly $91 billion by 2033. But is this growth empowering women, or exploiting them? In this episode, we unpack the drivers behind the surge, from the self-care movement and influencer marketing to life-stage–specific formulas targeting PMS, fertility, and menopause.

We also dive into the risks of a largely unregulated market, the red flags consumers should watch for...

The protein wars are heating up, and one bar is leading the charge. In this episode, we unpack the “protein bar arms race” and the meteoric rise of the David Bar—a hyper-optimized, influencer-backed product redefining the category. From its extreme protein-to-calorie ratio and luxury branding to its aggressive supply chain play with Epogee, David is more than just a snack; it’s a symbol of the cultural obsession with protein and op...

The FDA’s “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) rule was meant to keep food safe. But for decades, the self-GRAS loophole has allowed companies to introduce new additives without FDA review or public disclosure.

In this episode of the Orange Pill Podcast, we break down the unprecedented wave of reform efforts in 2025:

• Executive action from HHS Secretary RFK Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary.

• Congressional bills aiming t...

In this episode, we dive deep into the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission’s leaked strategy report, submitted to President Trump earlier this month and quietly leaked before its official release. The “Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy” lays out sweeping changes to how the federal government addresses childhood chronic disease, from overhauling nutrition guidelines and banning food dyes, to tackling overmedicalizati...

The new EU-US trade deal is here, and it’s sending shockwaves through the dietary supplement industry. While it avoids the 30% tariff originally proposed, the agreement imposes a steep 15% tariff on about 70% of EU exports to the US, up from the previous 1.2%.

In this episode, we break down:

• Who’s Hit Hardest: Why finished dietary supplements aren’t exempt, and what that means for European brands.

• The Ingredient Exception: ...

In this episode, we unpack a major federal push to tackle the diet-related chronic disease crisis in America, with ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in the crosshairs. The U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture, working alongside the FDA and NIH, are launching coordinated initiatives to:

• Define “ultra-processed foods” with a uniform federal standard.

• Fund groundbreaking nutrition research through the new N...

In this episode of the Orange Pill Podcast, we dive into Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s aggressive push to dismantle the GRAS (“Generally Recognized as Safe”) pathway — a move that’s shaking up both Big Food and the supplement industry.

We explore:

• The origins and exploitation of the GRAS "loophole"
• Why ultraprocessed foods are in the crosshairs
• What this crackdown means for dietary supplements
• Former FDA Commissione...

The FDA is sounding the alarm. In a major regulatory move, the agency is recommending that 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH)—a potent synthetic derivative of kratom—be scheduled under the Controlled Substances Act. Why? Because this lab-created version of kratom’s active compound is up to 500% more potent than its natural form and is increasingly tied to severe health risks, including liver toxicity, seizures, substance use disorder, and...

This episode explores Canada’s evolving approach to CBD regulation, focusing on proposed changes that would allow low-dose cannabidiol products to be sold as Natural Health Products without a prescription. It covers the gaps in the current framework under the Cannabis Act, the results of public consultations, and Health Canada’s ongoing efforts to balance safety, access, and industry growth. The discussion also touches on implicati...

Part One of Our Deep Dive into NHP Regulation Reform

Canada’s Natural Health Product (NHP) industry is facing its biggest regulatory shake-up in decades — and we’re here to break it all down. In this must-listen episode, we unpack the newly revised Product Licence Application (PLA) Class system and the controversial cost recovery program introduced by Health Canada.

From how Class I, II, and III applications work, to the major fee ...

This episode explores the surprising benefits of CarnoSyn® beta-alanine beyond sports. A new study reveals that a low, sustained-release dose improved cognitive function and reduced depression scores in older adults with below-average baseline scores—without side effects.

We break down the science behind brain carnosine, its link to BDNF and mood, and what this means for the healthy aging supplement market. Plus, a look at the regu...