Can You Have Your Cake and Drink Wine, Too?

The episode tackles two viral health myths head-on: whether a glass of red wine is worse for you than eating sugar, and if heating honey in hot water makes it toxic. Contrary to popular belief, the sugar in a standard glass of dry red wine—just one gram—is minimal compared to a soda’s 37 grams or a banana’s 15 grams. But the real issue isn’t the sugar—it’s how alcohol hijacks the liver, slowing fat and carbohydrate metabolism and potentially leading to weight gain. Meanwhile, the claim that heating honey creates toxic levels of HMF (hydroxymethylfurfural) is debunked: while HMF does form when honey is heated or stored long-term, the levels in tea are negligible and far below what you get from coffee, bread, or cereal. The real risks with honey are infant botulism and calorie content—21 calories per teaspoon. The episode concludes with a powerful personal story from Amanda Peet about grief, loss, and resilience, underscoring the emotional weight behind health decisions.