Sliced Bread

Can a test tell you what's living inside your gut - and what to do about it? That's what listener Pete Mace asked us, kicking off a brand new series of Sliced Bread! He's seen 'gut microbiome tests' advertised by ZOE, Randox Health and others. They promise to tell you about the bacteria - and other bugs - currently making your intestines their home. Many also claim they'll use this information to...

Orange was once one of the most recognisable brands in Britain — a mobile network with its iconic slogan “The future’s bright, the future’s Orange”, it helped turn mobile phones from elite business tools into everyday essentials. But while the Orange name still exists globally, its mobile service disappeared from the UK. So what happened? BBC Business journalist Sean Farrington investigates how Or...

Izal medicated toilet paper was once a staple of British bathrooms - a curious cultural icon, remembered as much for its distinctive feel as for its antiseptic promise. Produced for decades by the Sheffield‑based company Newton, Chambers & Co., Izal became woven into the fabric of schools, hospitals and public buildings across the UK. So how did a product that was everywhere for so long, end u...

Why did the popular stationery chain, Paperchase, end up closing all of its shops? The BBC Business journalist, Sean Farrington, investigates in the company of resident entrepreneur, Sam White. Paperchase was founded by two former art students in the late 1960s and went on to become the design darling of the high street, known for its charming greeting cards, wrapping paper, stationery, gifts and...

The EasyJet founder, Sir Stelios Haji-Iannou, tried to shake up the cinema industry by introducing low-cost movie theatres. Tickets were priced as low as 20p for customers who booked in advance. So, why didn't EasyCinema take off? Stelios speaks to the BBC Business journalist, Sean Farrington, reflecting on his attempts in the early 2000s to bring to UK cinemas the same dynamic pricing that had re...

Wilkinson - or Wilko as it became known - was a privately-owned family business that had been successful for decades, offering low-priced household products from its chain of high street stores. So why did it falter during a cost-of-living crisis when people were looking for value? The BBC Business journalist, Sean Farrington, investigates how its stores ended up toast, in the company of resident...

Is it ok to store food in plastic containers? That's the question put by listener Joe Tattersall in this, the last episode in the current series of 'Sliced Bread'. Joe's noticed scuffs and abrasions on his reusable plastic containers and is concerned about whether that increases the risk of 'chemical leaching' into his food, or ingesting microplastics. He's keen to know if alternatives like glass,...

What kind of cat litter is best for cats, owners and the environment? After we looked at dog poo bags for an episode, it's only right that we answer some questions for the cat lovers, around cat litter.  Listener Ella got in touch to ask about it, after adopting her Sphynx indoor cat, Mr. Big (short for Mr. Bigglesworth). She wanted to know: what is the most absorbent cat litter that doesn't smell...

Do ergonomic devices like split keyboards and vertical mice help with comfort and health? If you're a heavy computer user there are an increasing variety of weird and wonderful options to help improve your comfort and reduce the risk of aches and pains associated with 'Repetitive Strain Injury' (RSI). Listener Tim is curious whether ergonomic tools—such as split keyboards, alternative layouts, or...

Can Vibration Plates help with fitness, bone density, and even lymphatic drainage? They've been around for a while but vibration plates seem to be having another 'moment'. Originally touted as a piece of fitness kit for the gym or home, the latest ads on social media seem to be promoting claims around benefits to bone density and lymphatic drainage. Listeners Natasha and Steve got in touch wanting...

Can Intense Pulsed Light devices really "zap" away your unwanted hair?  You may have seen IPL devices advertised on social media - that promise painless hair removal using light to "zap" away body hair. Listener Karen got in touch to ask if these "Zappers" could possibly free her from having to shave her legs in the summer? How are they supposed to work, are they safe to use, and is it worth the i...

Are infrared saunas as effective as traditional ones? If you've ever sat sweating on a wooden bench in a traditional ('Finnish') sauna wondering if there was an easier way, could infrared be the answer? Infrared saunas work at lower temperatures, ostensibly making it easier to stay in there for longer. Listener Paul got in touch after trying one and wants to know if infrared saunas give you the sa...

Almost everyone is guilty of fiddling with their ears, especially if they can feel a build-up of earwax in there. But what actually works to get rid of it, and should we be messing with them in the first place? Listener Martin got in touch after finding out his earwax build-up was returning - and wanted to know if drops alone would solve his problem, or if he needed to seek professional help to re...

What's the latest on collagen? The new series of Sliced Bread kicks off with an update on one of the wonder products most-requested by listeners. Presenter Greg Foot first looked at collagen in 2022 and returns to the subject to find out what has changed in the scientific landscape since then. Could there be new evidence that it really can do what the manufacturers claim: rejuvenate skin, nails an...

What will the food of the future look like? Greg Foot finds out. Greg Foot, host of BBC Radio 4’s Sliced Bread, returns with Dough — the series exploring the rise of future wonder products that could transform the way we live. Each episode examines the emerging technologies and innovations poised to shape tomorrow’s world. Greg speaks with experts and entrepreneurs to uncover the trends influencin...

Could smart glasses with built-in video cameras become widely accepted? Greg Foot, host of BBC Radio 4's 'Sliced Bread' brings you 'Dough', examining the rise of future wonder products. Greg is joined by experts, entrepreneurs and industry innovators to discuss the trends we're seeing today and where they may lead us tomorrow, before a leading futurist offers their predictions on what life might b...

What will the office be like in future? Greg Foot, host of BBC Radio 4's 'Sliced Bread' brings you 'Dough', examining the rise of future wonder products. Greg is joined by experts, entrepreneurs and industry innovators to discuss the trends we're seeing today and where they may lead us tomorrow, before a leading futurist offers their predictions on what life might be like within five, ten and fift...

Could ticketless travel and satellite connectivity be coming to our rail network? Greg Foot examines the rise of future wonder products. He's joined by experts, entrepreneurs and industry innovators to discuss the trends we're seeing today and where they may lead us tomorrow, before a leading futurist offers their predictions on what life might be like within five, ten and fifty years. In this epi...

What will mobile phones be like in future? Greg Foot investigates Greg Foot, host of the BBC Radio 4 show 'Sliced Bread', brings you 'Dough'. Each episode explores future wonder products that might rise to success and redefine our lives. Experts and entrepreneurs discuss the trends shaping what today's everyday technology may look like tomorrow, before a leading futurist offers their predictions o...

Sleep deprived parents everywhere are tempted to reach for anything that might help them get a little more sleep overnight – but can products promising to encourage babies to snooze for longer – really do that? And is there any science to back it up? That is exactly what tired Dad-of-three Dave wanted to know – and whether there were any future implications from using these gadgets, docks, blinds...

Which knife is best for the kitchen and how do you keep it sharp? After buying various knives over the years that ended up blunt, listener Susan is looking for one that will last. She's seen an array of different types and materials: Damascus steel, Japanese Gyuto knives, as well as alloys and additions that promise a sharper edge. They vary hugely in price - anything from £50 to £1,000. And if yo...

Do you really need a VPN? Listener Andrew has seen and heard lots of adverts for Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and wants to know if they'll beef up the security on his computer. Will they provide extra protection from malware or hackers? To get the answers, presenter Greg Foot is joined in the studio by Professor Victoria Baines, fellow of the Chartered Institute for IT. All our investigations s...

Listener Amanda was Kefir curious, and got in touch with Sliced Bread to ask if the Kefir she was consuming for breakfast every day – was really having an impact on her health, cognitive function, and her gut? She wasn’t the only person to get in touch about kefir either, with others saying they keep seeing the benefits of fermented foods crowed about on social media. Greg Foot talks to head of th...

Can taking testosterone help with low libido and energy? It's all over social media and is often touted by celebs - both male and female - but is testosterone replacement therapy the answer to listener Clive's low energy levels? Clive got in touch after sending off for a blood test with an online health firm which showed he might have low testosterone and could be a candidate for therapy. But to b...

Listener Jenny, who enjoys a 90% cocoa bar from time to time, got in touch to ask if some of the reports that dark chocolate can have a positive effect on things like circulation and mood - have any truth behind them?  But Jenny also told Sliced Bread that since she read reports that heavy metals such as lead and cadmium could be in dark chocolate - she's been unable to enjoy her regular bar, unti...