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INTERVIEW ON THE PRICE OF BUSINESS SHOW, MEDIA PARTNER OF THIS SITE.

Recently Kevin Price, Host of the nationally syndicated Price of Business Show, welcomed Dr. Ann Hester to provide another commentary in a series.

The Dr. Ann Hester Commentaries

Most of us think about food one item at a time: Is this healthy? Is it low in sugar? Does it have enough protein? But here’s a powerful—and often overlooked—truth: foods don’t act alone in the body. What you eat together can dramatically change how well your body absorbs nutrients, manages blood sugar, reduces inflammation, and even protects your brain.

This concept is called food pairing or food synergy, and it’s one of the simplest ways to upgrade your health without eating more, spending more, or following complicated rules.

Think of nutrients as team players. Some work best when they’re paired with the right partner.

Take fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K. These nutrients require fat to be absorbed. That means a bowl of plain carrots is fine—but carrots with olive oil, hummus, or avocado? That’s where the magic happens. Suddenly, your body can actually use the beta-carotene you’re eating.

Another classic example: iron and vitamin C. Plant foods like spinach, lentils, and beans contain iron, but it’s not absorbed efficiently on its own. Add vitamin C—from lemon juice, bell peppers, or strawberries—and iron absorption can increase significantly. Same food, same portion, completely different impact.

Food pairing also plays a major role in blood sugar balance, something especially important for energy, hormones, and long-term metabolic health. Eating carbohydrates alone—like fruit, bread, or pasta—can spike blood sugar quickly. But when carbs are paired with protein, fiber, or healthy fats, digestion slows, glucose enters the bloodstream more gradually, and insulin demands are reduced. Translation: fewer crashes, fewer cravings, and better focus.

Then there’s the inflammation connection. Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory spice, but its key compound, curcumin, is poorly absorbed on its own. Pair it with black pepper, which contains piperine, and absorption increases dramatically. This isn’t trendy wellness—it’s biochemistry.

Food pairing even affects the gut microbiome. Fiber-rich foods feed beneficial bacteria, but pairing them with a diverse mix of plants, healthy fats, and fermented foods creates an environment where those microbes can truly thrive. A healthier gut means better immunity, mood regulation, and nutrient production.

The takeaway? Healthy eating isn’t just about what’s on your plate—it’s about how foods work together on that plate.

Instead of obsessing over single “superfoods,” focus on smart combinations:

Vegetables + healthy fats

Carbohydrates + protein or fiber

Iron-rich plants + vitamin C

Anti-inflammatory spices + absorption boosters

These small, intentional pairings can quietly amplify the benefits of every meal you eat.

And that’s the beauty of food synergy: you don’t need perfection—just partnership.

Ann M. Hester, M.D. is a board-certified internist with over 25 years of experience. She obtained her medical degree from the University of Tennessee in Memphis. Dr. Hester believes when patients are taught exceptional “patient skills,” they become empowered to play a previously unimagined role in optimizing their medical care and minimizing medical costs. Her mission is to share these critical skills by various means, thereby improving patient outcomes and strengthening the U.S. healthcare system. This mission started in medical school when she witnessed the tremendous gap between how patients and doctors think. Over the years, she has written various patient empowerment pieces online and through books. Her latest book is Patient Empowerment 101: More than a book, it’s an adventure! This unique work takes an unprecedented step in helping people think more like doctors and position themselves at the center of their healthcare team.

Learn more at https://www.patientempowerment101.com.

Connect with her through social media:

Twitter: @patientworldnet
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patientempowerment101 https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhester/