901 Digestive Diversions

Tune in to our radio show on your local public radio station, or sign up for the podcast and listen at your leisure. Here’s what it’s about:
Our digestive systems are a great source of curiosity. How do we detect flavor? What does hearing have to do with our taste preferences? Find out why a bottle of wine priced way above $50 might not taste much better than one that costs less than $10.
We may think of ourselves as adventurous eaters, but the average American relies on about 30 favorite foods on a regular basis. Why are we so fond of foods that really aren’t all that good for us?
Back in the early 19th century, an American doctor did some surprising experiments to learn how the stomach works. He didn’t find out why it doesn’t digest itself, but you will, as Mary Roach guides us through the wonders of the digestive tract.
Guest: Mary Roach is an acclaimed science writer. Her books include Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void; Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex; Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife; and Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers. Her latest work is Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal. Her website is http://www.maryroach.net The photo is by Chris Hardy.
The podcast of this program will be available the Monday after the broadcast date. The show can be streamed online from this site and podcasts can be downloaded for free for four weeks after the date of broadcast. After that time has passed, digital downloads are available for $2.99. CDs may be purchased at any time after broadcast for $9.99.