Guardian

You might have noticed that everyone has recently become a bit obsessed with blood sugar, or glucose. Wellness firms such as Zoe in the UK – as well as Nutrisense, Levels and Signos – claim to offer insights into how our bodies process food based on monitoring our blood glucose, among other things. But many researchers have begun to question the science behind this. In this episode from July, Ian Sample talks to the philosopher Julian Baggini, Zoe’s chief scientist, the University of Oxford academic dietician Dr Nicola Guess, and the King’s College London nutrition expert Prof Sarah Berry to find out what we know about blood glucose levels and our health, and whether the science is nailed down on personalised nutrition. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

The Guardian’s John Harris gives his top book, music and TV recommendations from 2024.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Nooruddean Choudry and John Brewin as Manchester United slumped to another defeat. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypod

For the regular drinker, the studies that say a daily tipple is better for a longer life than avoiding alcohol completely are a source of great comfort. But a new analysis challenges that thinking and says it was based on flawed research that compares drinkers with people who are sick and sober. In this episode from August, Madeleine Finlay hears from the study’s lead author, Tim Stockwell, a scientist at the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research at the University of Victoria, to find out why scientists (including him) were so convinced, and what the actual risks of alcohol are. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Lucy Ward and Troy Townsend as Liverpool beat West Ham 5-0 away from home to go five points clear at the top of the Premier League.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypod

Max Rushden is joined by Will Unwin, Jonathan Fadugba and Lars Sivertsen after a batch of intriguing results on Boxing Day including losses for Chelsea and Manchester United. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypod

Politics Weekly UK is taking a break over Christmas. John Harris will be back on Thursday 2 January with his cultural highlights, and in the meantime you can listen back to our previous episodes here.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

In this episode from July, Ian Sample talks to Josh Davis, a science writer at the Natural History Museum in London and author of the book A Little Gay Natural History. A study published in June 2024 suggested that, although animal scientists widely observe same-sex sexual behaviour in primates and other mammals, they seldom publish about it. Josh considers why this might be and describes some of his favourite examples of sexual diversity from the animal kingdom.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Jonathan Wilson and John Brewin for a special festive Q&A. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypod

In this episode from September, Madeleine Finlay speaks to Dr Saul Newman, an interdisciplinary researcher at University College London and the University of Oxford, who has recently won an Ig Nobel prize – given to scientific research that ‘first makes people laugh, and then makes them think’ – for his work showing that many claims of people living extraordinarily long lives come from places with short lifespans, no birth certificates, and where clerical errors and pension fraud abound. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod