School of Health Sciences
Swinburne University of Technology
Media
The Conversation
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EASTER EGG CHOCOLATE AND REGULAR CHOCOLATE?
15 April 2025
With Easter around the corner, you’ll have seen chocolate Easter eggs on supermarket shelves. Maybe you’ve bought some already.
But is there a difference between Easter chocolate and the everyday kind? Does Easter chocolate really taste better, as some people say?
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WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHOLEMEAL AND WHOLEGRAIN BREAD? NOT A WHOLE LOT
5 March 2025
If you head to the shops to buy bread, you’ll face a variety of different options.
But it can be hard to work out the difference between all the types on sale.
For instance, you might have a vague idea that wholemeal or wholegrain bread is healthy. But what’s the difference?
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GOING FOR A BUSHWALK? 3 HANDY FOODS TO HAVE IN YOUR BACKPACK (INCLUDING MUESLI BARS)
10 January 2025
This time of year, many of us love to get out and spend time in nature. This may include hiking through Australia’s many beautiful national parks.
Walking in nature is a wonderful activity, supporting both physical and mental health. But there can be risks and it’s important to be prepared.
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IS TIK TOK RIGHT? ARE THERE HEALTH BENEFITS TO EATING SEA MOSS?
25 November 2024
Sea moss is the latest “superfood” wellness influencers are swearing by. They claim sea moss products – usually in gel form – have multiple health benefits. These include supporting brain and immune function, or protecting against viruses and other microbes.
But do these health claims stack up? Let’s take a look.
Media release
RESEARCHERS CONFIRM THE LINK BETWEEN DIET, MICROBIOTA AND MENTAL HEALTH
10 March 2023
Fermentation of protein in the gut could release toxins into the body’s circulation and affect the brain’s access to neurotransmitter compounds, according to an international study by Monash University researchers.
The research, published in Frontiers in Nutrition, adds to the growing volume of work which seeks to understand the relationship between diet, the gut microbiota and mental health.
Blog articles

NUTRITION & DIETETICS JOURNAL’S SPECIAL ISSUE ON FOOD SYSTEMS AND SUSTAINABILITY - OUR REFLECTIONS
Dietitians Australia must be applauded for their commitment and investment in promoting planetary health over the past five years in particular. They’ve endorsed a Role Statement for Dietitians working in the area of food systems and environmental sustainability, prioritised planetary health as a critical issue of our time at recent national conferences, updated National Competency Standards to reflect this broader duty of care ...

PHYTONUTRIENTS AND THEIR HEALTH BENEFITS
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You may have heard people talk about eating blueberries, turmeric, cacao, or another proclaimed ‘superfood’ because it’s good for their health. But what is in these foods that makes them so healthy? And what are the health benefits?
Nutrients are substances that we get from our food that keep us alive and help to support the health and functioning of our bodies.
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RESISTANT PROTEINS: WHAT ARE THEY AND WHAT ARE THEY DOING TO GUT BACTERIA?
Mmmmm, doesn’t that golden-brown fried chicken get your mouth watering… but it turns out that the bacteria in your gut may not enjoy it as much as you do.
Foods like baked goods, fast food, fried foods and processed meats are common in what we call a Western-style dietary pattern [1].

IN THE NICK OF TIME: CAN TIMING PHYTONUTRIENT INTAKE HELP REDUCE OXIDATIVE STRESS AFTER A MEAL?
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Previous studies have shown oxidative stress increases following a high carbohydrate and high fat meal. Our latest review investigates how timing the intake of phytonutrients may help reduce this effect.
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Over the last 100 years, our eating habits have evolved from a diet high in whole foods, wholegrains and less refined food, to a modern diet containing high amounts of refined, processed carbohydrates and high saturated fat foods...
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INVESTIGATING SEAWEED BIOACTIVES FOR PROTECTION AGAINST CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES​
Do you know someone who has had a heart attack or stroke?
These conditions fall under the umbrella of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), diseases of the heart and blood vessels, and are the leading cause of death worldwide. In fact, over 30% of all deaths can be attributed to CVDs, which is of great concern because many of these deaths are premature and could have been prevented[1]...
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Videos
Chatting Easter chocolate on Channel Nine's Weekend Today Show with Clint and Alison.
Three Minute Thesis presentation for the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health final.
Media appearances
Channel Nine, Weekend Today Show
ABC Regional Drive radio, South Australia
2CC Radio Canberra, Capital Radio
JOY Drive Radio Melbourne
2SM Super Radio Network
ABC Asia-Pacific Newsroom
ABC Radio WA Statewide
ABC Radio Southeast NSW
ABC Radio VIC Statewide
ABC Radio Northern Tasmania
ABC Radio National
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