What's That Rash?

It might not seem like it, but we humans are electrical beings. We rely on electrical impulses to stay alive. So can we rely on electrical impulses … to get swole? Norman and Tegan investigate the various claims surrounding electrical muscle stimulation. References  Functional Electrical Stimulation and Spinal Cord Injury Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation After Anterior Cruciate Liga...

The Mediterranean diet is the most well studied dietary pattern out there. So – what is it? It’s more than just vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats and sparing consumption of meat. Norman and Tegan take us through ALL the elements that make up this way of eating, which has been attributed to a myriad of health benefits. References Scientific evidence supporting the newly developed one-health la...

In some parts of the world sauna bathing is a daily activity. In Finland, it would even be rude to deny an invitation to get hot and sweaty with a business associate. As well as being culturally significant, the sauna has many touted health benefits – from protecting against cardiovascular disease, to fending off cognitive decline. Norman and Tegan sort through the evidence. References The multifa...

Many people go through phases of nail biting in childhood, and fewer people continue biting their nails into adulthood. It's a habit that can be difficult to break – especially when anxiety can be a trigger, along with boredom. Norman and Tegan take us through the current treatments available for people who want to stop munching on their cuticles. References Onychophagia and onychotillomania can b...

If you're glued to your couch watching the Paris Games, you know that elite athletes are beyond impressive. But does that mean they're healthy? Not necessarily. Norman and Tegan unpack the positive and negative impacts of elite-level sport on the body and the mind. References Female and male US Olympic athletes live 5 years longer than their general population counterparts: a study of 8124 former...

Offices are catching up to the idea that sitting for eight hours a day might not be great for your health. Standing desks, adjustable monitors and hand rests are common tools in the arsenal of ergonomics. But are we getting it all wrong? Norman and Tegan dispel some myths about the impact of office jobs on the body. References Having 'good' posture doesn’t prevent back pain, and 'bad' posture does...

Bodies are weird … but are they THAT weird? Sexually-induced sneezing has been written about in medical texts for hundreds of years. In this live episode from the World Science Festival Brisbane, Norman and Tegan explain what it is, and why it might happen. References Sneezing induced by sexual ideation or orgasm: an under-reported phenomenon

You've either seen it, or you've tried it. Ice baths are all the rage right now, in part because they claim to be an effective health and wellbeing booster. Is this just a fad, or is there solid evidence that dipping into freezing cold water can improve your immune system, calm down inflammation and better your mood? Norman went for the plunge – and lived to tell Tegan the tale. Got a health quest...

Once you get past the initial ick-factor of toothbrush sharing, it's worth considering whether there are any actual harms. Whether we like it or not, our mouths are home to a unique microbiome. As Norman and Tegan explain, it's influenced by what we eat, who we kiss – and yes, who we might share a toothbrush with. References Armed to the Teeth—The Oral Mucosa Immunity System and Microbiota Assessm...

There's no doubt people with coeliac disease should stay away from gluten, but what about the rest of us? There is nothing inherently harmful about gluten when it doesn’t cause you gut trouble. Norman and Tegan talk us through why a gluten-free diet is not necessarily a healthy one. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd lo...

Feeling yuck? Have you ever wondered about the purpose of all that gunk you're coughing up? At least one of our listeners has … and she wants to know whether there’s any benefit to spitting or swallowing… In this live episode from the World Science Festival Brisbane, Norman and Tegan take us through the answer.

It might feel like this wrinkle-busting procedure has been around forever, but it's a relatively recent cosmetic concoction. At first, it was a procedure for already aged skin. Now 20-somethings are using it to try prevent wrinkles from ever forming. Norman and Tegan unpack how we got to this point, and the do's and dont's of the procedure. References: The whole truth about botulinum toxin – a rev...

For the meat eaters still out there, you may be wondering how much is too much when it comes to your health. You will have to weigh up the benefits and the harms. Norman and Tegan take us through the recommendations, and the science to back them up. References: Health effects associated with consumption of unprocessed red meat: a Burden of Proof study Red Meat and Processed Meat Consumption and Al...

Apple cider vinegar is revered in wellness spaces for its health-giving benefits, but is there anything to it? There are claims it can aid with weight loss, boost your gut microbiome and manage blood sugar levels.  Norman and Tegan explain how this salad dressing became so famous, and what the science tells us. References: Apple cider vinegar for weight management in Lebanese adolescents and young...

Sometimes 24 hours doesn’t feel like nearly enough time to get everything done — those to-do lists aren't going to check themselves. Especially when you're spending around eight hours of that time in bed. Norman and Tegan assess whether it's possible to train yourself to sleep less without any of the negatives. References: Which Is More Important for Health: Sleep Quantity or Sleep Quality? Sleep...

It's an age-old adage that youth is wasted on the young – you don't know what you’ve got until it's gone. The aches and pains that start to linger longer as you approach your 30s can feel like a rite of passage. Norman and Tegan explore why this happens, and whether it's inevitable. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd lo...

Dementia is common – more than 400,000 Australians are living with it – but it’s not an inevitable part of ageing. There are ways to lower your risk, and the sooner you start, the better off you’ll be. Norman and Tegan give us the top tips needed to lower your risk of developing the illness as you get older. References: Physical and Mental Activity, Disease Susceptibility, and Risk of Dementia: A...

Much has been said about the single glass of red wine. It's good for you, it’s bad for you, it's good for you again. It can be confusing to follow. Norman and Tegan take on this age-old health question — does a single glass of red wine have health boosting benefits? References:  The French paradox: Lessons for other countries Moderate Wine Consumption and Health: A Narrative Review Health Effects...

Do you have your water bottle beside you right now? How close are you to reaching your daily water goal? It can feel like a slog sometimes to meet the recommended two lites of water a day. Norman and Tegan pour over the evidence to find out whether it's REALLY necessary to drink that much. References: Food and macronutrient intake of elite Ethiopian distance runners Statement of the 3rd Internatio...

As the weather cools down, you may be noticing more people around you are dropping from cold or flu. And with COVID-19 also in the mix, it’s understandable that many are wondering how they can boost their immunity to avoid getting sick so often. Norman and Tegan take us through some of the approaches that have the evidence to back them up (and the ones that don’t). References: Nutrition and Athlet...

It can sometimes be tough to summon the motivation and energy to go to exercise.  Well, there’s a product for that and it’s gaining popularity. Pre-workout mixtures come in powders, pills, drinks, gummies — you name it, they’ve got it. Norman and Tegan run through what they actually contain, and what the evidence says about their effectiveness… Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on...

When you get a headache, what do you reach for? Ibuprofen, aspirin or paracetamol? Over-the-counter painkillers can be difficult to differentiate, but they do vary, not only in their effectiveness but also in their side effects. Norman and Tegan talk us through how these drugs work, and which one might be best depending on your situation. References:  Paracetamol versus ibuprofen – which works bes...

Restless Legs Syndrome is a common condition with somewhat mysterious underpinnings… While it can be a side effect on an underlying condition, many people suffer for no known reason. Norman and Tegan take us through what we know, what we suspect and some of the treatments for those jittery legs… References: Iron and restless legs syndrome: Treatment, genetics and pathophysiology Iron-deficiency an...

Kate Middleton announced via a video message that she is undergoing treatment for cancer.  The Princess of Wales has been out of the public eye since Christmas. This is the first official announcement about her condition since she revealed she would be undergoing planned abdominal surgery in January.  So what What do we know about Kate's cancer diagnosis? What is the likely treatment? And, given s...

Did you know that we're evolutionarily predisposed to seek out sweet treats? Simple carbs were harder to come by in caveman times than they are today. Now, the consensus is we all need to cut down our sugar intake. One way people are doing that is by replacing their sucrose with non-sugar sweeteners. Norman and Tegan explore whether this is actually a healthy alternative. References: Sweetness and...