The Wellness Scoop

This week we’re tackling one of the most persistent wellness myths: that cutting carbs is essential for weight loss. We dive into what carbs actually are, why they became the enemy, what the science really says about low-carb diets, and the health benefits of keeping wholegrains in your life. We also explore powerful new findings from a 30-year Finnish study showing that unhealthy habits like smok...

This week we’re diving into inflammation, what it really is, why it’s not always a bad thing, and how to calm it through everyday habits rather than quick-fix supplements. We explore the evidence behind so-called anti-inflammatory diets, the role of gut health and healthy fats, and why a Mediterranean-style approach remains the gold standard for long-term wellbeing. We answer your questions on how...

This week we’re breaking down the science behind staying well as cold and flu season hits, from what actually helps you recover faster to why balance, not “boosting,” is the secret to a strong immune system. We dig into new research on the planetary health diet, the flexible, plant-rich way of eating that could save 40,000 lives a day, and ask whether it could be the key to both personal and plane...

This week we’re diving into one of the biggest health conversations of the year as we explore GLP 1 weight loss drugs. From Ozempic to Wegovy these medications have changed how we think about food, weight and willpower but they’ve also raised big questions about what healthy really means. Dr Jack Mosley joins us to unpack the science behind these drugs, the truth about food noise, muscle loss and...

This week we’re exploring the connection between what you eat and how you feel, from mood-boosting fibre to the foods that help sharpen focus and protect brain health. We unpack new research showing how high-intensity exercise fuels cognitive function and why short, consistent bursts of movement could be one of the best ways to support your mind. We break down the latest ban on "buy one, get one f...

This week on The Wellness Scoop we’re answering your questions, starting with one of the most common debates: is it better to add sugar or a sweetener to your tea? We’ll look at what the latest science and WHO guidance actually says, and the best way to approach it long term. We then dive into fibre, the difference between soluble and insoluble, how they work together in the gut, and whether you r...

This week we’re looking at the rising pressure to lose weight and why so many people are turning to risky quick fixes. We unpack the growing backlash against Ozempic, now facing over 1,800 lawsuits in the US for severe side effects like stomach paralysis and vision loss. We revisit the 5am Club and ask if the 8am Club is a smarter, more sustainable routine for real life. We share new research show...

This week on The Wellness Scoop we’re answering your questions, from the small daily habits that make the biggest difference to how we eat, to whether it’s really worth swapping white pasta and rice for wholegrain versions, especially for little ones. We’re also digging into the sudden rise of chicory root fibre in high-fibre products, what it actually does in the body, and why it can be a gut-hea...

This week on The Wellness Scoop we’re diving into two of the most jaw-dropping wellness headlines we’ve seen all year. First, the new research revealing we’re inhaling up to 68,000 microplastic particles every single day, and how these invisible invaders are showing up everywhere from our lungs to our brains, even doubling the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Then we explore the $3 billion Jeff...

This week we’re answering your questions, starting with fasting and whether time-restricted eating really supports metabolic health and gut health. We dig into what the research actually shows about early versus late eating windows, the impact on circadian rhythms, and whether fasting has any proven benefits for the gut microbiome. We’re also breaking down bioresonance testing and why mainstream s...

This week, we’re uncovering the groundbreaking science showing how just 60 seconds of vigorous movement a day could transform your health and even add years to your life. We’re also looking at the hidden dangers of gel manicures, and why boosting potassium-rich foods could cut heart failure risk by nearly a quarter. Plus, the Guardian’s biggest wellness trends of the year, from dopamine menus to c...

This week we’re tackling your questions on some big wellness topics. We look at whether chia seeds alone can cover your omega 3 needs, what acidity regulators and stabilisers really are, and the myths and benefits around nightshade vegetables. We also clear up confusion around perimenopause and menopause, chat through the reality of nursery food and new government guidance, and answer how much nut...

This week, we’re unpacking the big stories shaping food, health and how we live. We start with a major BMJ study showing that eating chips three times a week raises type 2 diabetes risk by 20% but baked or boiled potatoes don’t carry the same danger. We’ll share why the way you cook them matters, plus the genuine health benefits of potatoes when they’re not fried. Next, a Guardian feature on “otro...

This week on The Wellness Scoop we’re diving into some of your most requested topics. First up, is there really a best time of day to exercise, and does it matter if you train before breakfast. Then we explore lab grown meat, what it is, how it’s made, and whether it could help cut emissions and reduce animal agriculture. Finally, we unpack the latest on microplastics and whether fibre might be on...

This week, we’re talking about how to be a “super-ager,” people in their eighties whose memory performs like someone 30 years younger, and why friendships, not fitness, turned out to be their secret weapon. We’re also digging into a huge new study on potatoes and type 2 diabetes, showing that eating chips three times a week raises risk by 20%, while swapping them for whole grains cuts risk signifi...

This week, we’re tackling some of the biggest listener questions. Do organic foods really make a difference to your health, or is it just clever marketing? Can what you eat actually trigger or clear up acne? And is the buzz around blood sugar spikes and glucose monitoring helping us eat better, or just fuelling food anxiety? We also share our personal recommendations before diving into your brilli...

This week, we’re talking about why vegetarian and vegan diets can cut cancer risk by up to a quarter, the “worst foods for cellulite” and what the science actually says, and the first UK trial to prove that home cooking and minimally processed foods lead to twice as much weight loss as ready-made UPFs. We also get into the rise of blueberries, how they went from totally unknown in the UK just a fe...

In this summer bonus episode of The Wellness Scoop, we’re asking if perfectionism could be quietly holding back your health goals and revealing the truth about supplements: which are worth your money, which aren’t, and how to know the difference. We’ll also look at why healthy eating is still a privilege for so many, pets vs partners when it comes to happiness, and the latest wellness trends, from...

Welcome to a special summer bonus episode of The Wellness Scoop. We’re asking two big questions — are seed oils really as bad as the headlines claim, and does your gut health matter more than your genetics? We’ll dig into the science behind the seed oil debate, from where the fear started to what research actually says about their impact on inflammation, heart health and longevity. Then we’ll expl...

Welcome to another special live episode of The Wellness Scoop. We’re starting with a calming five-minute meditation led by Cordelia Simpson to help you pause, breathe and refill your cup before diving in. Then we’re tackling one of the most confusing topics in nutrition: ultra processed foods (UPFs). From the additives hiding in our everyday favourites to the impact on gut health, inflammation and...

Welcome to a very special episode of The Wellness Scoop, recorded live with our amazing community. In today’s show, we’re asking whether coffee could help you age better, if cutting calories might actually harm your mental health, and why new research says exercise could be more effective than drugs in stopping cancer from returning. We’re also diving into the latest concerns around microplastics...

This week, we’re diving into the wellness headlines that got us talking, from new research linking sweeteners to early puberty, to what the science really says about the keto diet. We’re also looking at the rise of broccoli shots in elite sport and why grip strength might be one of the most important health markers we rarely talk about. There’s a lot to cover, including Donald Trump and Coca-Cola’...

This week, we’re looking at why the first ten minutes after you wake up might matter more than anything else for how the rest of your day unfolds. From quick morning rituals to simple shifts that keep you steady, we break down what actually helps. We also get into England’s huge new 10-year NHS plan. With life expectancy flatlining and more people getting sick earlier, the government is promising...

This week, we’re asking if all this self-monitoring, self-optimising and endless tracking is actually helping us — or just making us more stressed and less happy. With over half of UK adults now owning some kind of wearable, we dig into whether chasing perfect sleep scores and stress metrics is doing more harm than good. Because decades of research still shows that happiness often comes when we lo...

This week, we’re diving into the stories shaping what we eat, how we shop and the way we live. We’re talking about the government’s new push to tackle obesity by cutting just 50 calories a day, whether weight-loss jabs like Wegovy and Mounjaro are already changing our shopping habits, and the latest on possible bans or tighter rules for alcohol advertising in the UK. We also get into which oils yo...