Sliced Bread

Which weather app is the most accurate? Listener Owen keeps running into a problem: he's not sure which weather forecasting app to trust. He and his partner each use different weather apps on their phone, and find they often predict different things. One app says it'll be hotter, another says rainier... it's making them unsure how to plan their days out. Owen wants to know once and for all - which...

Are hydrogen water bottles worth the hype? Like listener Liz, you might have seen them on your socials or at your local gym. They promise to help with inflammation, energy, athletic recovery and support mitochondrial health. But is a bottle of fizzing H20 costing more than £100 doing anything more than the regular stuff from your tap? To find out, presenter Greg Foot is joined by Henry Forman, Pro...

Which eye drops are best for dry eyes? Listener Carole wakes up each morning with dry, gummed-up eyes. As a result she's built up a small hoard of different eye drops, variously promising to hydrate, soothe, or relieve; and that's only a fraction of the many drops, vials, and ointments out there on the pharmacy shelves. Carole's seen some brands come with premium prices, and others promise to be "...

Can mushroom gummies really sharpen your mind, reduce stress, and boost your energy? Listener Daisy has been seeing adverts for mushroom gummies all over her Instagram. These aren't the psychedelic kind of mushrooms - instead they're gummy sweets containing so-called 'functional mushrooms' such as lion's mane and reishi. The companies promise that taking just two a day will provide all sorts of be...

What really helps to treat acne? Listener Louise got in touch about a subject that affects thousands of people both physically and emotionally. She experienced acne from her teens into adulthood; and now with a daughter herself, is all too aware of the pressures facing young people through social media. She's keen to find out which of the vast array of over-the-counter treatments work and which in...

Are self-checkouts here to stay or will we soon be paying without scanning or stopping? Greg Foot examines the future of supermarkets and considers wonder products and trends that might rise to success. Greg is joined by experts and entrepreneurs to discuss what is shaping today's everyday technology and what it may look like tomorrow, before the futurist Tom Cheesewright offers his predictions on...

Could advances in AI help us have conversations with our pets? Will a raccoon or a robot become the pet of the future? Or will or pets be sharing a seat beside us on the plane as we jet off for our next holiday? In this episode of Dough Greg Foot looks at pets and examines the rise of future wonder products. He's joined by experts, entrepreneurs and industry innovators to discuss the trends we'e s...

Is streaming really killing off the big screen? Greg Foot examines the future of cinemas and considers wonder products and trends that might rise to success. Greg is joined by experts and entrepreneurs to discuss what is shaping today's everyday technology and what it may look like tomorrow, before the futurist Tom Cheesewright offers his predictions on what cinemas might be like within five, ten...

Could weight-loss jabs make gyms less relevant? Greg Foot examines the future of the fitness sector and considers wonder products and trends that might rise to success. Greg is joined by experts and entrepreneurs to discuss what is shaping today's everyday technology and what it may look like tomorrow, before the futurist Tracey Follows offers her predictions on what gyms might be like within five...

Could cash be losing its crown as digital money gains ground? Greg Foot looks at money and examines the rise of the wonder products and technologies emerging across the financial sector. 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...

Is it OK to take experimental peptides like the Wolverine Stack? These are what bodybuilders, longevity gurus, and online influencers are all talking about: experimental peptides. They're chemicals that you can buy online, in packages with names like the Wolverine Stack or the Glow Stack. The websites say "for research purposes only" but talk about their supposed benefits for wound healing and de-...

Pods, liquids and powders: which laundry detergent really cleans up? A trip down the laundry aisle can leave you faced with a welter of confusing marketing claims. From stain-busting formulas and lower-temperature washes to eco-friendly promises, every detergent seems to offer cleaner clothes, lower energy use and a lighter environmental footprint. Listener Rosanna came to Sliced Bread for help ma...

What makes the perfect pillow? Nothing saying ‘waking up on the wrong side of the bed’ like a crick in your neck. With up to 70% of us experiencing neck pain at some point in our lives, sleeping in a dodgy position can lead to days of discomfort. And pillows might be part of the problem... Listener Angela has a frozen shoulder, and hoped a new pillow might provide a more comfortable night’s sleep....

What's the best way to keep your home cool? As heatwave after heatwave pushes temperatures higher across the UK and Europe, air conditioning has become a serious topic. Listener Rachel is one of many people who have turned to a portable air conditioner for relief. About the size of a dehumidifier, these units cool a room by drawing in warm air, chilling it, and venting the excess heat outside thro...

Can you really learn a new language from apps like Duolingo? Sliced Bread listener Nathan Phelps has been teaching himself Japanese. He’s tried textbooks, tutors, and crucially, language apps on his phone - and he came to us because he’s seen these apps claiming to be “backed by science” to help you “learn a new language, fast”. More recently he’s even seen apps boast about “AI powered features” t...

Which is the most hygienic for cleaning your kitchen? Most of us will be familiar with the cheap packs of coloured kitchen sponges with the abrasive tops, used for washing dishes and wiping surfaces. But could they be harbouring a host of bacterial baddies? Listener Caroline wants to know as she uses them regularly and even goes as far as running them through the washing machine to keep them clean...

Can robotic lawnmowers save you time without hassling hedgehogs? Listener Pat has seen adverts for robotic lawnmowers and has lots of questions: Do they cut effectively? How do they manage with edges and flower borders? And what about avoiding wildlife and other objects in the garden? To find out, presenter Greg Foot is joined by BBC Gardeners' World magazine's tech reviewer Harry Duncton, alongsi...

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...