KMUD - The Choice is Yours

Beans Against the AI Apocalypse is an episode about one surprisingly powerful little food: the bean. From green beans appearing on the Dirty Dozen list to the use of desiccants in dry-bean production, beans come with environmental and health questions that are more complicated than their humble image suggests. But beans also have a remarkable story to tell: they fix nitrogen, enrich soils, deliver impressive nutrition, and can produce a lot of food with relatively few resources. We dig into the science, farming practices, health impacts, and environmental footprint behind beans—from the field to the plate.  Because in an uncertain future—AI existential threats included—it might be worth knowing which crops can feed us, nourish us, and help the soil along the way. Sources: Dangers of AI: https://www.forbes.com/sites/andreamorris/2026/09/13/what-made-ai-researchers-freak-out-the-incident-in-plain-english/ Beans, the sustainable food: https://beaninstitute.com/beans-beans-the-sustainable-food/ Integrating beans with grain agriculture: https://cultivatingflora.com/ideas-for-integrating-legumes-with-grains-in-north-dakota-farming/ Production facts : https://usdrybeans.com/industry/production-facts/ Adaptation to drought : https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378377424006164 Comparison between plant based proteins and animal proteins: https://www.sciencedirect.com › science › article › pii › S0308521X24002932 https://humaneherald.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/calories-and-protein-produced-per-acre-1.pdf GMO soybean:https://www.nongmoproject.org/blog/the-gmo-high-risk-list-soybeans/ Dirty Dozen / Clean Fifteen :https://organicfoodguides.com/dirty-dozen-and-clean-fifteen/ Desiccants like diquat and glyphosate: https://www.realagriculture.com/edible-bean-school/edible-bean-school-timing-desiccation-for-maximum-yield-quality/ https://usrtk.org/healthwire/diquat-herbicide-poisons-the-gut-may-severely-damage-other-organs/ https://usrtk.org/pesticides/glyphosate-health-concerns/ History of the World in Twelve Beans by JOËL BROEKAERT https://www.letterenfonds.nl/en/books/a-history-of-the-world-in-twelve-beans History https://www.kelleybean.com/consumers/bean-history/

Protein is everywhere. From protein bars and shakes to high-protein yogurts, cereals, snacks and even everyday foods, the message seems unavoidable: we need more protein. But where did this obsession come from — and who benefits from it? In this episode, we look beyond the "protein maxxing" trends  to examine the science behind our protein needs, the potential health consequences of excessive or unbalanced consumption, and the environmental costs of producing more animal protein. Like, did you know whey wasa waste product of cheese manufacturing? We also explore the politics and culture surrounding the protein boom. How has the idea of “more protein, more strength, more masculinity” become intertwined with online fitness culture and parts of the contemporary right-wing movement? And how are influencers, food companies and political narratives helping shape what we believe our bodies should look like — and what we should eat? Are we really facing a protein deficiency — or have we been sold a powerful story about what it means to be healthy, strong and successful? Sources : Intro: https://annescollege.fsu.edu/blog/protein-craze-fsu-expert-explains-why-behind-high-protein-diet Proteins bros : you might have been be getting scammed https://www.npr.org/2025/01/30/nx-s1-5270923/protein-seems-to-suddenly-be-everywhere-heres-why A few products selected by Men’health that look just like ultra processed stuff https://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/g64308976/best-high-protein-products/ Protein sources https://grokipedia.com/page/High-Protein_Trend_in_Packaged_Foods Whey into the environment https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266615432400317X Consumption of whey more than cheese https://www.theguardian.com/business/ng-interactive/2026/jul/02/whey-protein-boom-proteinmaxxing-demand https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/lifestyle/whey-protein-shortage-sparks-shortage-fears-after-brands-rushed-to-hop-on-trend-b2995465.html Clean Label Study https://cleanlabelproject.org/protein-study/ https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2026/03/how-much-protein.html

In this episode, we look at hydration and replenishing electrolytes: The misleading claims of hydration drinks, Real hydration home made with natural products and How icy drinks may not be as refreshing as it seems. The Choice is Yours is a serie of monthly episodes about consumer's choices and its impacts on the environement and our health. Inicially, this is a live show on KMUD Radio in Northern California.  List of references for this episode : Back to last month subject: Forest Stewardship Certification’s weaknesses www.lemonde.fr/en/les-decodeurs/article/2023/03/01/investigation-reveals-flaws-in-responsible-wood-certification-system_6017835_8.html https://news.mongabay.com/2025/09/critics-say-fsc-update-risks-weakening-accountability-for-forest-harm/ https://www.dw.com/en/deforestation-inc-how-green-firms-prevent-climate-action/a-64851705 https://www.icij.org/investigations/deforestation-inc/auditors-green-labels-sustainability-environmental-harm/ Does silicon shed microplastic?  https://theecoshift.com/does-silicone-have-microplastics/ Ice consumption  America vs Europe:  https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/why-dont-other-countries-use-ice-cubes-50361097/ Impact on health of cold or hot drinks https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/cold-and-hot-consumption-and-health-outcomes-among-us-asian-and-white-populations/8C45B97637E237244531C653E42D024E https://health.clevelandclinic.org/cold-water-vs-warm-water https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/did-you-know/drink-hot-drinks-hot-weather-cool-down-faster Electrolytes  https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/Do-Electrolytes-Really-Boost-Hydration https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8471852/ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/best-electrolyte-sources https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthy-aging-and-longevity/using-food-to-stay-hydrated

In this episode, we take a closer look at the hidden impacts of one of our most everyday products: toilet paper. We'll explore how our demand for toilet paper affects Canada's boreal forest, Brazil's eucalyptus plantations, and the forests of the southern United States. But the story doesn't end with trees. Many toilet paper products also contain potentially harmful contaminants, including PFAS ("forever chemicals") and chlorine-based compounds, raising important questions about their impact on both human health and the environment. The good news? There are better options. We'll break down what you need to know about recycled and bamboo toilet paper, bidets, mullein leaves, and a few other surprising alternatives that could make your bathroom routine a little more sustainable.

Can bamboo help solve climate change? In this episode we explore why bamboo is becoming one of the fastest-growing sustainable industries in the world. From carbon capture and renewable building materials to biodegradable packaging, bamboo textiles, and surprising health benefits, discover why scientists, entrepreneurs, and environmentalists are calling bamboo one of the most valuable plants for a greener future.