Zoe: the personalised nutrition app giving doctors food for thought

Medical professionals say popular dietary monitors may lead to unnecessary health concerns

Diagrams of the stomach, duodenum and liver
The programme seeks to analyse the precise make-up of your gut microbiome
(Image credit: Florilegius/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Experts are questioning whether Zoe, the personalised nutrition programme that has enjoyed a period of explosive growth, can back up its beneficial health claims. 

Some British doctors have even suggested that Zoe – which promises to help users "reach a healthy weight", "feel less bloated" and "avoid chronic health issues" – could in fact lead to unnecessary health worries or even disordered eating.

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Arion McNicoll is a freelance writer at The Week Digital and was previously the UK website’s editor. He has also held senior editorial roles at CNN, The Times and The Sunday Times. Along with his writing work, he co-hosts “Today in History with The Retrospectors”, Rethink Audio’s flagship daily podcast, and is a regular panellist (and occasional stand-in host) on “The Week Unwrapped”. He is also a judge for The Publisher Podcast Awards.