Unlocking the Food Matrix

Unlocking the Food Matrix

From Mayo Clinic on Nutrition by Mayo Clinic Press

February 25, 2026 · 34 min

About this episode

This episode discusses the concept of the food matrix and its implications for nutrition, featuring insights from registered dietitian Sally Cummins.

Food is more than the sum of its parts. Nutrients in supplements act differently than the same nutrients in whole foods. The way those nutrients are packaged, bonded and processed all factor into what’s known as a food matrix. On this episode of On Nutrition, we talk with Sally Cummins, a registered dietitian and senior vice president of nutrition affairs at the National Dairy Council. She shares the science behind the dairy food matrix and explains how you can see the food matrix at work in everyday foods. Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails. Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books. Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

People in this episode

Guest: Sally Cummins

Topics covered

  • food matrix
  • nutrition
  • dairy
  • whole foods
  • supplements

Keywords

  • food matrix
  • nutrition science
  • dairy nutrition
  • whole foods vs supplements
  • registered dietitian

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: National Dairy Council

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