#403: What’s REALLY In Your Food? | Dark Secrets of Ultra-Pasteurized Milk, Natural Flavors & Microplastics EXPOSED With Ben Katz
Today, I’m joined by Ben Katz—better known online as Mr. Mass Spec —an academic analytical chemist from UC Irvine whose mission is to uncover what’s really in our everyday foods, drinks, and products. Ben reverse engineers everything from Taco Bell meat to Doritos, and sometimes even entire industries, using cutting-edge mass spectrometry. His curiosity and expertise have made him a go-to source for those wanting to know what’s hiding behind vague ingredient labels and “natural flavors.”
In our conversation, Ben reveals the unexpected truth about synthetic vs. plant-derived ingredients, why “natural flavors” and food additives can legally hide a surprising array of compounds, and how ultra-pasteurized milk is chemically tweaked to taste “normal” again. We dive into the realities of transparency in the food industry, the loopholes manufacturers use, and how everyday choices—like the plastic bags at your local store—can have hidden effects on your health.
If you’re ready to discover what’s really in your food, drinks, supplements, and even your household products, this episode is packed with eye-opening science, practical tips, and the tools to become your own health detective.
Learn more from Ashley Koff below:
Podcast: Mass Spec Everything Pod • A podcast on Spotify for Creators
Instagram: @massspeceverything
What We Discuss:
Gut health as the cornerstone of longevity ... 00:00:00
Why disease and wellness begin in the gut ... 00:03:46
Symptoms and signs of gut imbalance ... 00:08:53
Normalizing digestive discomfort ... 00:09:33
Key stressors for gut health: stress, poor food choices ... 00:12:03
How chronic stress disrupts digestion ... 00:12:59
Processed foods, toxins, and nutrient deficiencies ... 00:13:14
The importance of whole foods, healthy fats, and cooked veggies ... 00:14:27
Testing and understanding your own food tolerances ... 00:16:31
Risks of dehydration, overtraining, and PPIs ... 00:19:24
Structure of a healthy gut: digestion, gut barrier, organ support ... 00:23:19
Pre-meal rituals for better digestion ... 00:25:33
Choosing and introducing probiotics and fiber ... 00:37:44
Tracking your food and gut motility ... 00:42:12
Lifestyle habits: exercise, sleep, stress, meal timing ... 00:45:00
Avoiding snacking and late meals ... 00:49:05
Remove offenders, restore with enzymes, replenish with probiotics ... 00:50:12
Bone broth, anti-inflammatory foods, and gut repair ... 00:54:19
Peptides and bioregulators for organ optimization ... 00:57:03
Our Amazing Sponsors:
Tranq Dart by Wizard Sciences - a multi-pathway sleep support from Wizard Sciences. It’s not a knockout pill; it’s a gentle nudge toward that wind-down zone. I take it about 30 minutes before bed, and it helps my body and brain sync up for sleep. Visit wizardsciences.com and use code NAT15 for 15% off. Sleep smarter, not harder.
Complete Liver Complex by LVLUP Health - supports your liver’s natural detox pathways so your body can reset after the holidays without suffering. Go to lvluphealth.com and use code NAT for 20% off.
Vitali - combines pharmaceutical-grade copper peptides with zero-age exosomes to support clearer cellular signaling and long-term skin resilience, working with your biology instead of forcing change. Visit VitaliSkincare.com and use code NAT20 for 20% off.
More from Nat: