Ep. 489 | Sugar, Alcohol, and Your Brain: The Surprising Science with Dr. Tommy Wood

Jul 31

Is your diet and lifestyle protecting your brain, or putting you at risk for cognitive decline? Dr. Tommy Wood, a neuroscientist and performance consultant to world-class athletes, breaks down the latest research on brain health.

In this enlightening episode, Dr. Wood explores the complex relationships between sugar consumption, alcohol intake, and cognitive function. He challenges common assumptions and offers a nuanced perspective on how our daily choices impact long-term brain health.

Learn:

How sugar affects brain activity and cognitive decline
The surprising truth about alcohol and brain shrinkage
Why challenging your brain is crucial for cognitive health
The most effective activities for maintaining brain function
Balancing risks and benefits in lifestyle choices for brain health

ABOUT dr. tommy wood

Dr. Tommy Wood is a neuroscientist, elite-level professional nerd, and performance consultant to world class athletes in a dozen sports. Dr. Wood received an undergraduate degree in biochemistry from the University of Cambridge, a medical degree from the University of Oxford, and a PhD in physiology and neuroscience from the University of Oslo. He is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Neuroscience at the University of Washington, where his laboratory focuses on brain health across the lifespan including in babies born preterm, adults who experience brain trauma, and the confluence of factors that can affect long-term cognitive function and risk of dementia.

Dr. Wood has published dozens of scientific papers and lectured all over the world about brain health, metabolism, physical activity, and human performance. Alongside his career in medicine and research, he has also been a performance consultant to professional athletes in multiple sports including several Olympians and world champions and helped to found the British Society for Lifestyle Medicine, the fastest growing lifestyle medicine society in the world. His experiences include caring for dementia patients, running a team of scientists as part of a neuroscience research program, being a health coach to individuals struggling with a range of health conditions, working with digital health companies to develop ways to support individuals in building new habits and improve their health with small actions, and helping Formula 1 drivers maintain focus and performance while driving at 200 miles per hour. These experiences give him a broad perspective and an ability to see the big picture and help people support their brain health in a personal and practical manner.

Dr. Wood lives in Seattle with his wife Elizabeth and two boxers Bowen and Morgan.

ABOUT THE BLUEPRINT PODCAST

The Blueprint Podcast is for busy professionals and Household CEOs who care deeply about their families, career, and health. Host Dr. Erik Korem distills cutting edge-science, leadership, and life skills into simple tactics optimized for your busy lifestyle and goals. Dr. Korem interviews scientists, coaches, elite athletes, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and exceptional people to discuss science and practical skills you can implement to become the most healthy, resilient, and impactful version of yourself.

On a mission to equip people to pursue audacious goals, thrive in uncertainty, and live a healthy and fulfilled life, Dr. Erik Korem is a High-Performance pioneer. He introduced sports science and athlete-tracking technologies to collegiate and professional (NFL) football over a decade ago. He has worked with the National Football League, Power-5 NCAA programs, gold-medal Olympians, Nike, and the United States Department of Defense.

Erik is an expert in sleep and stress resilience. He is the Founder and CEO of AIM7, a health and fitness app that unlocks the power of wearables by providing you with daily personalized recommendations to enhance your mind, body, and recovery.