In a recent episode of The Ben Greenfield Life podcast, he interviewed Ben Katz. Ben Katz is a scientist who exposes what's really in your supplements, foods, drinks, and other products using advanced analytical techniques shared on his popular MassSpecEverything social media channels. Throughout this fascinating discussion, you'll discover how Ben pulls back the curtain on consumer products using mass spectrometry and chromatography to identify and quantify chemical compounds. Additionally, you'll uncover the surprising truth about the levels of caffeine in chocolate and other candies marketed toward kids.

Ben also reveals what he found after analyzing samples of two products that I frequently get asked about: “Feel Free," a bottled blend of kratom and kava and Lucy nicotine gum. Ben Katz exposes what's really in your supplements, foods, drinks, and other products using advanced analytical techniques shared on his popular MassSpecEverything social media channels. Throughout this fascinating discussion, you'll discover how Ben pulls back the curtain on consumer products using mass spectrometry and chromatography to identify and quantify chemical compounds. Additionally, you'll uncover the surprising truth about the levels of caffeine in chocolate and other candies marketed toward kids. Ben also reveals what he found after analyzing samples of two products that I frequently get asked about: “Feel Free," a bottled blend of kratom and kava and Lucy nicotine gum.

Here are some major insights and advice I learned from the interview:

1. Chocolate and Caffeine Ratios:

   - Chocolate comes from the cocoa plant, which should naturally produce a ratio of 90% theobromine to 10% caffeine. However, Ben Katz discovered that this ratio is often reversed in products like M&Ms, indicating a manufacturing process that increases caffeine content. This suggests a need for further investigation and possibly consumer awareness regarding caffeine in chocolate products.

2. Nicotine Products Analysis:

   - Katz frequently analyzes nicotine pouches to determine their nicotine sources. He found that products claiming synthetic nicotine were indeed using pure synthetic versions, while naturally extracted nicotine from tobacco can bring along a variety of unwanted chemicals. Synthetically produced nicotine tends to be cleaner and maintains purity without the accompanying alkaloid impurities.

3. On Synthetic vs. Natural Flavors:

   - Katz expressed concerns about the use of natural flavors, like spearmint oil, in nicotine products, as this could carry along potentially toxic compounds. He advocates for synthetic flavors that can be controlled more precisely and produced without harmful impurities. This approach can ensure the safety of flavors used in consumer products.

4. Children's Candy Analysis:

   - Ben Katz is worried about the caffeine content in children's candies, particularly those that should not contain caffeine or which have a suspiciously high caffeine concentration, like M&Ms. He stresses the importance of further research on the caffeine content per serving to inform parents and regulate the market.

5. Kratom and Kava Regulation:

   - The podcast host, Ben Greenfield, sent Katz a popular kratom and kava drink called Feel Free for analysis. Katz confirmed the presence of mitragynine (kratom extract) and kavalactones (kava extract), indicating that the product is as advertised. However, he pointed out the varying effects on individuals based on their genetic makeup, which can influence how they metabolize these compounds.1. **Chocolate and Caffeine Ratios:**

 6. Fruit and Vegetable Post-Harvest Regulators:

   - Katz touched on the topic of diphenylamine (DPA), a post-harvest growth regulator used to prevent browning and spots in cold-stored fruits and vegetables. He raised a red flag about the prevalence of DPA on organic produce, since organic certification often doesn't account for post-harvest treatments. Katz called for consumer awareness and market shifts that do not rely on such regulators.

7. Consumer-Oriented Changes:

   - Katz believes that consumer demand can drive significant changes in market offerings. He suggests that informed consumers can push for the availability of products without potentially harmful additives, such as nicotine-free pouches or produce not treated with DPA.

Katz concludes with emphasizing the importance of staying informed about the chemicals and compounds in the products we consume and encourages consumers to be the driving force behind a healthier and more transparent market. He welcomes engagement on his Instagram to explore and answer questions related to product chemistry and composition.6. **Fruit and Vegetable Post-Harvest Regulators:**