About this season
Pointer is the platform for research journalism of Kro-NCRV on TV, radio and online. We keep your sharp and address the issues of now. We do this with the latest methods and the most experienced journalists, and we are always transparent about our approach.
Episodes (10)
1. Episode 1
Aired 8 January 2026 • 13 min
What are the health benefits of intermittent fasting? We delve into the science behind fasting. Many people lose weight by eating only between 12 and 8 p.m. Water fasting is also promoted on social media. This involves eating nothing for days and drinking only water and coffee or tea. Like student and content creator Jordy. He sometimes goes 48 to 100 hours without eating anything, subsisting on only water and electrolytes. Professor Hanno Pijl of Leiden UMC also practices intermittent fasting. He explains how it can improve metabolism and how damaged cells are cleared through the biological process of autophagy.
2. Episode 2
Aired 22 January 2026 • 12 min
Baking, roasting, or frying—we all use them: vegetable oils. From sunflower oil to canola oil: they're in practically every kitchen. But according to some influencers, they're bad for you. These oils are said to be hyper-processed, contain too much omega-6, and oxidize quickly, leading to chronic inflammation, cancer, and heart disease. How is it possible that the influencers spreading these ideas and the scientists criticizing them both base their claims on science? We investigate the facts with nutrition scientist Coen Dros, who actively combats nutritional misinformation on social media.
3. Episode 3
Aired 5 February 2026 • 12 min
Every drugstore and supermarket has them on their shelves these days: expensive collagen powders, pills, or creams. They're for people looking for wrinkle-free skin or supple joints. But do these products live up to their promises? We'll try collagen powder for a month and analyze the results with a dermatologist. They'll also warn about the risks: the collagen powders are almost always derived from animal sources, such as cartilage, skin, and bones from cows, or fish scales, and may therefore contain heavy metals. We'll also review scientific studies and explore alternatives to collagen products.
4. Episode 4
Aired 19 February 2026 • 15 min
5. Episode 5
Aired 5 March 2026 • 12 min
6. Episode 6
Aired 19 March 2026 • 13 min
7. Episode 7
Aired 2 April 2026 • 15 min
8. Episode 8
Aired 16 April 2026 • 11 min
9. Episode 9
Aired 7 May 2026 • 10 min
10. Episode 10
Aired 21 May 2026 • 14 min