Do you really know?

We're well aware of its negative impact on our waistlines and heart health, but sugar also takes a toll on our brains. And it's not just found in the obvious sources like refined sugar from sugarcane or sugar beet – it's lurking in fruits as fructose and in dairy as lactose.  Back in 2015, the World Health Organisation released guidelines recommending adults and children “reduce their daily intake...

In France, adulthood starts at 18. In some countries, it’s 21. It all depends on the legal age of majority. But that line is mostly legal and science tells a more complex story. At 18, the brain is still developing. In particular, the prefrontal cortex at the front of the brain and the cerebellum. A 2009 study in the Journal of Adolescent Health shows these areas are crucial for emotion regulation...

You know how ginger and oysters are said to rev up your sex drive? We’ve talked about aphrodisiacs in the past on Do You Really Know but today we’re going to talk about foods and drinks that can do the exact opposite. They're called anaphrodisiacs, and they're known for putting a damper on your libido. Well, topping the list is alcohol. Despite its reputation as a social lubricant, it's actually t...

We all know that exercise does wonders for our bodies. But what might come as a surprise is that it can even bring us to climax, at least for women. Now, that might sound a bit far-fetched, but it's actually true: achieving the ultimate pleasure during a workout is possible. According to Medicalnewstoday.com, renowned sexologist Dr. Alfred Kinsey was the first to document instances of coregasms, n...

At some point, we've all probably come up with some flimsy excuses to avoid a night out, a fancy restaurant dinner, or hanging out with friends. Sometimes it's just a lack of enthusiasm, while other times, it's because our wallets are feeling a little bit light.  We all know that leisure activities can put a serious dent in our finances, and when money gets tight, we can end up in a real financial...

According to Mental Health UK, nearly one in five people in the country don’t get enough sleep. We’ve talked about various types of sleep disorder in the past on Do You Really Know and the link between good sleep and good health is well established. Many people turn to sleeping pills, but there’s a totally natural alternative which may actually yield better results. What's that? Why is sex so bene...

Imagine a virtual country where women come together to push back against misogyny and celebrate female empowerment. Born on French TikTok, Tanaland has captured the imagination of over 18 million women who envision a world free from patriarchy and judgment.  Tanaland is a fictional, women-centered country that has emerged as a satirical safe haven, inspired partly by the 2023 Barbie film starring...

According to the NHS, around 1 in 3 people in the UK are affected by insomnia, and it’s particularly common in older adults. Many people turn to medication like benzodiazepines in an attempt to address their insomnia. Now these generally help, at least to begin with, but they tend to bring less restorative sleep. And if no other changes are made to daily habits, there’s a good chance the insomnia...

We spend a good deal of our time at work, 35 hours a week or more. It's an integral part of our lives, so if you can it's always best to surround yourself with good colleagues. They make work not only more enjoyable but stimulating.  Their support and collaboration also helps to create a positive environment where teamwork leads to tackling problems and finding solutions. However, when we don't ge...

In July 2023, the White House recognised that the United States was facing a “grave threat” in the form of a highly addictive drug called xylazine, introducing a six-point plan in response.  Dealers mix xylazine into supplies of fentanyl, itself a dangerous drug which kills thousands of Americans each year. The street name for xylazine is “tranq” or “tranq dope”, but it has also been called the “z...

Caring for yourself involves more than just tending to your nails; it's about making sure they're well-groomed, especially those on your toes. Trimming them properly is also key to avoiding painful ingrown nails, but on the other hand going overboard with your clippers can cause problems too. So let’s discuss how to find the right middle ground. According to the East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, t...

Inflation peaked in 2022, but now it’s on a slow and steady decline, reaching 2.5% in June 2024, down from 5.5% in June 2023. Plus, some commercial practices that drove prices up are now better controlled. For example, since July 1, 2024, supermarkets have to label products affected by shrinkflation—where they reduce the quantity but keep the price the same. But even with these changes, you’ve pro...

If you’ve seen more and more people out wearing roll-neck jumpers, vintage blazers or cross-body bags, you could be forgiven for wondering if you’d travelled back to the 19th century without realising. But actually the poetcore aesthetic has been on the rise for some time now, to the extent that at the end of last year Pinterest identified it as one of its “Pinterest Predicts” trends for 2026. Wha...

Have you ever looked at a piece of toast, a cloud or a nearby house and had the impression there’s a face in it, looking right back at you? If you’re like most people, it happens to you on a regular basis, and once you’ve seen the face, you just can’t un-see it! It’s down to a human tendency known as pareidolia. The psychological phenomenon comes from the Greek words para, meaning “beside” or “bey...

Electric toothbrushes come with a head that makes small circular movements automatically. Studies have shown that, for the same amount of brushing time, they can remove up to twice as much plaque as manual toothbrushes. They also help reduce the risk of gingivitis, gum inflammation, and bleeding. However, some electric toothbrushes can be too abrasive on sensitive or weakened teeth, as not all use...

During this year's International Women’s Day celebrations, you’re likely to see demonstrators in many cities around the world bearing purple flags and wearing purple ribbons or wristbands. Now International Women's Day actually has three official colours: Purple, white and green. but it’s fair to say that purple stands above the others as the undisputed colour of feminism in this day and age. For...

To all our female listeners: have you ever been a victim of misogyny in the workplace? Sadly, the chances are you have, given that a 2022 survey by recruitment agency Randstad found that 72% of women have “encountered inappropriate behaviour from male colleagues”, while 67% had experienced some form of gender discrimination. But there are some simple everyday actions that can help us to counter se...

Female listeners; if you're the oldest of multiple siblings, you probably know the drill. Being the big sister often means being thrust into a parental role from a young age and sometimes having to sacrifice your own personal growth as a result. And discussions of this phenomenon have been increasing in the last year or so. The term "eldest daughter syndrome" has emerged and started trending on Ti...

heart attack can be deadly but thankfully there are life saving treatments out there. However, research from the British Heart foundation has found that women are not receiving the same standard of care as men. Although heart disease and heart attacks are more common in men it is more likely to be fatal for women. In fact heart attacks kill twice as many women in the UK than breast cancer does. Wh...

The musical film The Little Mermaid was released in cinemas on 24 May 2023. This movie highlights the importance of representations in the media. This effect has a name: the Scully Effect. The combination made for an unprecedented representation of women on TV at the time, with audiences far more accustomed to seeing scientists played by white men. The fields of Science, Technology, Engineering an...

According to a World Bank report from March 2023, the global pace of reforms toward equal treatment of women under the law has slumped to a 20-year low. This decline constitutes a potential impediment to economic growth at a critical time for the global economy. Since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 2021, women’s rights have been systematically curtailed. From March 2022, it became the...

In many families, some children grow up with the uncomfortable feeling of being less loved than others, or worse, sensing that their parents have a “favorite.” Most parents insist they love their children equally. Yet multiple studies suggest that the majority do, in fact, favor one child. What determines which child becomes the favorite? Is favoritism only about the child’s personality? Can this...

According to a study published in Current Psychiatry Reports in 2000, 10% - 15% of women are affected by anorgasmia, the inability to reach orgasm. Often, these difficulties stem from a person or their partner lacking a true understanding of their body. Difficulty in letting go during sexual activity can also be a factor. Today we’re going to talk about a personal development technique which aims...

According to data from the BBC men still earn more than women for the same work. The difference in wages (for the medium worker) is 9.4%, the same as it was in 2017 when companies were first obliged to publish their figures. The gap remains larger in the public sector at 15.1% compared to 8% in the private sector but neither have changed significantly from previous years.  “The gender pay gap is c...

Society tends to make sex all about penetration, but it really doesn’t have to be that way. Giving your partner oral sex can be an invigorating experience on its own.  Women often like to joke that men don’t know what they’re doing when they go down, so with that in mind let’s discuss some tips for giving your partner the pleasure they deserve. You have to know that every vulva is unique, and ther...