The Wellness Scoop

This week on The Wellness Scoop, we unpack four headlines shaping how we eat and think about health.

A major Cochrane review finds intermittent fasting is no more effective for weight loss than standard calorie-controlled diets, despite its surge in popularity. We explore what the evidence actually shows and why public perception may not match the data.

We then dive into resistant starch, the underrated fibre found in foods like lentils and cooled pasta, and explain how simple preparation tweaks can support gut health, cholesterol and blood sugar balance.

New research also suggests that lifelong reading, writing and learning could lower dementia risk by nearly 40% and delay onset by up to five years. We unpack what this means for cognitive reserve and long-term brain resilience.

And finally, we look at the rise of matcha. From high street launches to social media hype, we break down whether it really deserves its health halo and how it compares to coffee.

Order your copy of Ella's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quick Wins: Healthy Cooking for Busy Lives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Pre-order your copy of Rhi's upcoming book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fibre Formula⁠⁠⁠

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In this week’s episode, we’re answering your questions on making everyday food choices simpler and more nourishing.

We start with micronutrients on plant-heavy diets, including how to think about calcium, magnesium, zinc and iodine across the week without tracking apps, and when blood tests can be helpful during breastfeeding.

We then look at easy food swaps that save time, including packaged grains and lentils, where they sit in the NOVA system, and why they can be a genuinely useful shortcut.

Next, we share nut-free snack ideas for work, focusing on whole-food-leaning options that support steady energy.

We also unpack bloating and inflammation, how hormones and stress affect gut health, and what to know about anti-inflammatory supplements like butyrate.

Finally, we break down chickpea pasta versus white pasta, looking at fibre, protein and how it fits into a balanced way of eating.

Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to [email protected].

Order your copy of Ella's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quick Wins: Healthy Cooking for Busy Lives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Pre-order your copy of Rhi's upcoming book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fibre Formula⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this week’s episode, we’re diving into the headlines shaping how we think about brain health, everyday habits and modern wellness.

First up, we look at a major long-term study exploring tea and coffee consumption and dementia risk, and what it adds to the conversation around coffee and brain health.

Then, we unpack the growing evidence linking gut health, inflammation and cognitive decline, and why what’s happening in the gut may matter more for the brain than we once thought.

And finally, we turn to what’s trending in wellness, from the viral AI monk offering algorithmic calm to the resurfacing of AG1 supplement data, and what both stories reveal about trust, influence and the commodification of wellbeing online.

Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to [email protected].
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This week on The Wellness Scoop, we’re answering your questions on breakfast smoothies, savoury breakfasts, blood sugar balance and the wellness habits everyone seems to be talking about right now.

We unpack whether blending foods like oats and bananas actually changes their nutritional value, take a closer look at glucose-focused eating, ACV shots and food-order hacks, and explain what the evidence really says about managing blood sugar in midlife without extremes.

We also discuss celebrity-backed supplements like NMN, what we know (and don’t know) about longevity claims, and finish with a calm, evidence-based look at deodorant versus antiperspirant, aluminium fears and how to think about everyday chemical exposure without panic.

Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to [email protected].

Order your copy of Ella's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quick Wins: Healthy Cooking for Busy Lives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Pre-order your copy of Rhi's upcoming book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fibre Formula⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on The Wellness Scoop, we’re talking about why so many of us feel constantly distracted, what new research is revealing about cancer-linked ingredients in everyday foods, and why fermented foods are one of the most evidence-backed habits worth building into real life.

We break down why attention feels so hard to hold onto right now, how scrolling, sleep and alcohol quietly shape focus and memory, and what the science actually shows helps us reclaim concentration without cutting technology out altogether.

We also unpack major new studies linking long-term exposure to certain food preservatives with increased cancer and type 2 diabetes risk, what this says about how our food system has changed, and the realistic food swaps that matter most.

We close by looking at fermented foods, why aiming to include them weekly, or ideally daily, is strongly linked to better gut health, lower inflammation and overall wellbeing, and how to do it simply.

Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to [email protected].

Find out more about today's contributor, Sophie Medlin at City Dietitions - and check out her work with Which? where she gives the lowdown on supplements

Order your copy of Ella's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quick Wins: Healthy Cooking for Busy Lives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Pre-order your copy of Rhi's upcoming book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fibre Formula⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices