Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar made me nostalgic—and furious. Let me explain

When I saw this new “wellness” drama pop up on Netflix, I hit play immediately. I mean, how could I not? An Australian series with stunning scenery, Aussie accents, and a topic I’ve spent years of my life researching—nutrition. Hooked from the first scene.

It took me straight back to my undergrad days in Queensland. Blue skies, sunny mornings, and flat whites so good they practically rewired my brain. (Australia, your coffee is untouchable. Japan, where I live now? Let’s just say Italians are right to call it dirty water. I do enjoy this diry water by the way.)

But nostalgia only got me so far. As the plot unraveled, so did my patience. For those who haven’t seen it, the show dives into alternative medicine and juicing as a supposed cure for cancer. And the “wellness guru” at the heart of it all? She made my blood boil.

Fake testimonials, pseudoscience, and slick marketing aimed at the vulnerable. It’s exploitation dressed up in a wellness glow. As someone who’s spent years in nutrition research, I’ve seen it all before—and it’s infuriating every single time.

Here’s the truth about miracles: No superfood, juice, or supplement can cure diseases.

None.

My work in complementary medicine and nutrition focuses on how they can support health alongside conventional treatments. And yes, they can help prevent illness, improve quality of life, or reduce certain side effects.

But curing cancer with juice? That’s not just fantasy—it’s dangerous.

Here’s what most people don’t see. In research, we test nutritional components in highly concentrated doses on animals, in meticulously controlled conditions. These results rarely translate directly to humans. We’re way more complex. One person might have high cholesterol, another arthritis, and someone else might be perfectly healthy. There is no one-size-fits-all solution.

So yes, nutrition can bring balance, peace, and even comfort. But it’s NOT a magic wand, and selling it as one? That’s how people get hurt.

This frustration—the limits of science and the damage done by misinformation—is something I’ve felt deeply.

When I started out in nutrition research, I was so optimistic. I wanted my work to matter.

But over time, I started to feel like I was shouting into a void: My findings sat in academic journals that most people would never read. My talks at niche conferences rarely reached beyond the room.

I wanted to see real change, but I felt like a fraud. Standing up to present data that might never impact anyone’s life? It wore me down.

Imposter syndrome? Maybe.

Or maybe it was the realization that science, while powerful, doesn’t always bridge the gap for people.

That’s when I started dreaming of something different. I didn’t want to just study health—I wanted to create it. Not in a lab, but in the real world.

And that’s how TokudAw was born

Now, here’s the twist: travel taught me more about wellness than research ever could.

With TokudAw, I design experiences that genuinely change lives. Sometimes, it’s helping a family reconnect on a multi-generational trip. Other times, it’s introducing guests to Japan’s food culture: miso-making, mochi-pounding, strawberry-picking.

Sure, these might seem like fun vacation activities. But they’re so much more than that. They’re moments of connection—to nature, to history, to each other.

Connection = healing

So for me, TokudAw bridges the gap between science and real life.

I still draw on my research background, especially for corporate clients in nutrition, pharma, and wellness. But what I love most about this work is the JOY it brings: the quiet awe of stepping into a steaming hot onsen whilst looking at the starry night or falling snow or the simple pleasure of sharing a home-cooked meal at a countryside inn.

These are the memories that never leave us. And to me, they’re just as important as any scientific breakthrough.

Watching Apple Cider Vinegar reminded me how life comes full circle.

Sixteen years ago, I was a student in Queensland, soaking up the sunshine and trying to figure out my place in the world. Today, I’m hosting Australian guests through TokudAw, helping them discover Japan’s hidden gems.

Starting TokudAw wasn’t the end of my journey in nutrition—it was an evolution. And I’m grateful for everything that led me here. From my undergrad days to my Ph.D., to even the imposter syndrome that forced me to think bigger

While I may have shouted at my screen watching Apple Cider Vinegar, I also walked away with a renewed sense of purpose. Life doesn’t always follow a straight path. It twists and turns. But every step teaches you something.

To my Australian friends, the coffee’s still better where you are. But if you ever want to trade flat whites for matcha latte and explore Japan’s quieter side, you know where to find me