Can mushroom gummies really sharpen your mind, reduce stress, and boost your energy?Listener Daisy has been seeing adverts for mushroom gummies all over her Instagram. These aren't the psychedelic kind of mushrooms - instead they're gummy sweets containing so-called 'functional mushrooms' such as lion's mane and reishi. The companies promise that taking just two a day will provide all sorts of beneficial effects, and some online posts even hint that they can address symptoms of perimenopause and menopause.But do they actually work?To find out, Greg Foot is joined by Dr. Nicholas Money, mycologist and science writer at Miami University in Ohio; and Dr. Helen Wall, GP and menopause specialist.All of our episodes start with YOUR suggestions. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at <a href="mailto:sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk">sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk</a> OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.
 
RESEARCHER: JULIA RAVEY
PRODUCERS: PHIL SANSOM AND GREG FOOT

Can mushroom gummies really sharpen your mind, reduce stress, and boost your energy? Listener Daisy has been seeing adverts for mushroom gummies all over her Instagram. These aren't the psychedelic kind of mushrooms - instead they're gummy sweets containing so-called 'functional mushrooms' such as lion's mane and reishi. The companies promise that taking just two a day will provide all sorts of beneficial effects, and some online posts even hint that they can address symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. But do they actually work? To find out, Greg Foot is joined by Dr. Nicholas Money, mycologist and science writer at Miami University in Ohio; and Dr. Helen Wall, GP and menopause specialist. All of our episodes start with YOUR suggestions. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807. RESEARCHER: JULIA RAVEY PRODUCERS: PHIL SANSOM AND GREG FOOT

Can mushroom gummies really sharpen your mind, reduce stress, and boost your energy?Listener Daisy has been seeing adverts for mushroom gummies all over her Instagram. These aren't the psychedelic kind of mushrooms - instead they're gummy sweets containing so-called 'functional mushrooms' such as lion's mane and reishi. The companies promise that taking just two a day will provide all sorts of beneficial effects, and some online posts even hint that they can address symptoms of perimenopause and menopause.But do they actually work?To find out, Greg Foot is joined by Dr. Nicholas Money, mycologist and science writer at Miami University in Ohio; and Dr. Helen Wall, GP and menopause specialist.All of our episodes start with YOUR suggestions. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at <a href="mailto:sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer">sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk</a> OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.
 
RESEARCHER: JULIA RAVEY
PRODUCERS: PHIL SANSOM AND GREG FOOT

Mushroom Gummies

Which eye drops are best for dry eyes?Listener Carole wakes up each morning with dry, gummed-up eyes. As a result she's built up a small hoard of different eye drops, variously promising to hydrate, soothe, or relieve; and that's only a fraction of the many drops, vials, and ointments out there on the pharmacy shelves. Carole's seen some brands come with premium prices, and others promise to be "preservative-free". She wants to know: are any of them the best thing since sliced bread?To find out, Greg Foot is joined by consultant corneal and cataract surgeon Bita Manzouri and research optometrist at Aston University Dr Sònia Travé Huarte.All of our episodes start with YOUR suggestions. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at <a href="mailto:sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk">sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk</a> OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.RESEARCHER: JULIA RAVEY
PRODUCERS: PHIL SANSOM AND GREG FOOT

Which eye drops are best for dry eyes? Listener Carole wakes up each morning with dry, gummed-up eyes. As a result she's built up a small hoard of different eye drops, variously promising to hydrate, soothe, or relieve; and that's only a fraction of the many drops, vials, and ointments out there on the pharmacy shelves. Carole's seen some brands come with premium prices, and others promise to be "preservative-free". She wants to know: are any of them the best thing since sliced bread? To find out, Greg Foot is joined by consultant corneal and cataract surgeon Bita Manzouri and research optometrist at Aston University Dr Sònia Travé Huarte. All of our episodes start with YOUR suggestions. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807. RESEARCHER: JULIA RAVEY PRODUCERS: PHIL SANSOM AND GREG FOOT

Which eye drops are best for dry eyes?Listener Carole wakes up each morning with dry, gummed-up eyes. As a result she's built up a small hoard of different eye drops, variously promising to hydrate, soothe, or relieve; and that's only a fraction of the many drops, vials, and ointments out there on the pharmacy shelves. Carole's seen some brands come with premium prices, and others promise to be "preservative-free". She wants to know: are any of them the best thing since sliced bread?To find out, Greg Foot is joined by consultant corneal and cataract surgeon Bita Manzouri and research optometrist at Aston University Dr Sònia Travé Huarte.All of our episodes start with YOUR suggestions. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at <a href="mailto:sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer">sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk</a> OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.RESEARCHER: JULIA RAVEY
PRODUCERS: PHIL SANSOM AND GREG FOOT

Eye Drops

What really helps to treat acne?Listener Louise got in touch about a subject that affects thousands of people both physically and emotionally. She experienced acne from her teens into adulthood; and now with a daughter herself, is all too aware of the pressures facing young people through social media.She's keen to find out which of the vast array of over-the-counter treatments work and which ingredients in particular are effective in treating acne.To get the answers, presenter Greg Foot is joined by consultant dermatologist Dr Emma Wedgeworth and founder of the 'Clear' skincare app, Ahana Banarjee.We're back with a new series of Sliced Bread and are hungry for your suggestions of wonder products to put through the evidence mill. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at <a href="mailto:sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk">sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk</a> OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.PRESENTER: GREG FOOT
PRODUCERS: SIMON HOBAN AND GREG FOOT

What really helps to treat acne? Listener Louise got in touch about a subject that affects thousands of people both physically and emotionally. She experienced acne from her teens into adulthood; and now with a daughter herself, is all too aware of the pressures facing young people through social media. She's keen to find out which of the vast array of over-the-counter treatments work and which ingredients in particular are effective in treating acne. To get the answers, presenter Greg Foot is joined by consultant dermatologist Dr Emma Wedgeworth and founder of the 'Clear' skincare app, Ahana Banarjee. We're back with a new series of Sliced Bread and are hungry for your suggestions of wonder products to put through the evidence mill. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807. PRESENTER: GREG FOOT PRODUCERS: SIMON HOBAN AND GREG FOOT

What really helps to treat acne?Listener Louise got in touch about a subject that affects thousands of people both physically and emotionally. She experienced acne from her teens into adulthood; and now with a daughter herself, is all too aware of the pressures facing young people through social media.She's keen to find out which of the vast array of over-the-counter treatments work and which ingredients in particular are effective in treating acne.To get the answers, presenter Greg Foot is joined by consultant dermatologist Dr Emma Wedgeworth and founder of the 'Clear' skincare app, Ahana Banarjee.We're back with a new series of Sliced Bread and are hungry for your suggestions of wonder products to put through the evidence mill. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at <a href="mailto:sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer">sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk</a> OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.PRESENTER: GREG FOOT
PRODUCERS: SIMON HOBAN AND GREG FOOT

Acne Treatments

Are self-checkouts here to stay or will we soon be paying without scanning or stopping? Greg Foot examines the future of supermarkets and considers wonder products and trends that might rise to success.Greg is joined by experts and entrepreneurs to discuss what is shaping today's everyday technology and what it may look like tomorrow, before the futurist Tom Cheesewright offers his predictions on what supermarkets might be like within five, ten and fifty years.In this episode:-David McIntosh - chief connected stores officer at Instacart which supplies smart trolleys to supermarkets that scan and weigh goods as they are dropped in and display a running basket total.-Nick Carroll - principal strategist for retail at the research insights company Mintel where he helps the UK's biggest retailers understand what's coming next-Anders Eriksson - chief executive of Swegreen which supplies the kit and support for supermarkets to grow their own fruit and vegetables inside their storesAmong the topics up for consideration:
What more can be done to stop people from stealing at self-checkouts?
Why are printed pricetags disappearing from supermarket shelves?
Could smart shopping trolleys steer us to discounts? 
And might the supermarket of the future not just sell but also grow your produce?Produced by Jon Douglas. Dough is an Audio North production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Are self-checkouts here to stay or will we soon be paying without scanning or stopping? Greg Foot examines the future of supermarkets and considers wonder products and trends that might rise to success. Greg is joined by experts and entrepreneurs to discuss what is shaping today's everyday technology and what it may look like tomorrow, before the futurist Tom Cheesewright offers his predictions on what supermarkets might be like within five, ten and fifty years. In this episode: -David McIntosh - chief connected stores officer at Instacart which supplies smart trolleys to supermarkets that scan and weigh goods as they are dropped in and display a running basket total. -Nick Carroll - principal strategist for retail at the research insights company Mintel where he helps the UK's biggest retailers understand what's coming next -Anders Eriksson - chief executive of Swegreen which supplies the kit and support for supermarkets to grow their own fruit and vegetables inside their stores Among the topics up for consideration: What more can be done to stop people from stealing at self-checkouts? Why are printed pricetags disappearing from supermarket shelves? Could smart shopping trolleys steer us to discounts? And might the supermarket of the future not just sell but also grow your produce? Produced by Jon Douglas. Dough is an Audio North production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Dough - Series 5: The Future of Supermarkets

Pods, liquids and powders: which laundry detergent really cleans up?A trip down the laundry aisle can leave you faced with a welter of confusing marketing claims. From stain-busting formulas and lower-temperature washes to eco-friendly promises, every detergent seems to offer cleaner clothes, lower energy use and a lighter environmental footprint.Listener Rosanna came to Sliced Bread for help making sense of it all. She wants to know what really separates bio from non-bio detergents, whether pods, liquids and powders perform differently and if eco brands live up to their sustainability claims.To get the answers, Greg is joined by Professor Steven Abbott, Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and an expert in cleaning agents.All of our episodes start with YOUR suggestions. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at <a href="mailto:sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk">sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk</a> OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.RESEARCHER: JULIA RAVEY
PRODUCERS: SIMON HOBAN AND GREG FOOT

Pods, liquids and powders: which laundry detergent really cleans up? A trip down the laundry aisle can leave you faced with a welter of confusing marketing claims. From stain-busting formulas and lower-temperature washes to eco-friendly promises, every detergent seems to offer cleaner clothes, lower energy use and a lighter environmental footprint. Listener Rosanna came to Sliced Bread for help making sense of it all. She wants to know what really separates bio from non-bio detergents, whether pods, liquids and powders perform differently and if eco brands live up to their sustainability claims. To get the answers, Greg is joined by Professor Steven Abbott, Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and an expert in cleaning agents. All of our episodes start with YOUR suggestions. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807. RESEARCHER: JULIA RAVEY PRODUCERS: SIMON HOBAN AND GREG FOOT

Pods, liquids and powders: which laundry detergent really cleans up?A trip down the laundry aisle can leave you faced with a welter of confusing marketing claims. From stain-busting formulas and lower-temperature washes to eco-friendly promises, every detergent seems to offer cleaner clothes, lower energy use and a lighter environmental footprint.Listener Rosanna came to Sliced Bread for help making sense of it all. She wants to know what really separates bio from non-bio detergents, whether pods, liquids and powders perform differently and if eco brands live up to their sustainability claims.To get the answers, Greg is joined by Professor Steven Abbott, Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and an expert in cleaning agents.All of our episodes start with YOUR suggestions. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at <a href="mailto:sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer">sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk</a> OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.RESEARCHER: JULIA RAVEY
PRODUCERS: SIMON HOBAN AND GREG FOOT

Laundry Detergents

From kombucha to collagen, activated charcoal to sports tape, Greg Foot is on a mission to bust the marketing BS, looking for the facts behind the fads and to challenge a product’s bold claims with scientific evidence.Joined by leading experts and friends from the world of podcasting and social media, Greg investigates the latest crazes to hit the high street to work out if these wonder products really are the best thing since sliced bread. 
(all subject to updates)

From kombucha to collagen, activated charcoal to sports tape, Greg Foot is on a mission to bust the marketing BS, looking for the facts behind the fads and to challenge a product’s bold claims with scientific evidence. Joined by leading experts and friends from the world of podcasting and social media, Greg investigates the latest crazes to hit the high street to work out if these wonder products really are the best thing since sliced bread. (all subject to updates)

Trailer

Sliced Bread is the series that investigates the latest ad-hyped products and trending fads promising to make us healthier, happier and greener. Are they really 'the best thing since sliced bread'? Science presenter Greg Foot finds out.Greg speaks to experts on a bunk-busting mission to test the latest consumer trends chosen by listeners. Do they live up to the hype? Or are they just marketing BS?Greg chats to the experts, dives into the data, performs tests and crunches the numbers before putting his findings back to the listener so they can decide if it’s worth spending their hard earned money on.New episodes of Sliced Bread are released weekly on Thursdays wherever you get your BBC podcasts. But you can listen to the latest episode on BBC Sounds first, a week earlier than anywhere else. If you have a suggestion for a product to investigate, you can email the team on <a href="mailto:sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk">sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk</a> or send a WhatsApp voice note via the number 07543 306807.Sliced Bread is produced by BBC Audio North for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Health & Fitness

Sliced Bread is the series that investigates the latest ad-hyped products and trending fads promising to make us healthier, happier and greener. Are they really 'the best thing since sliced bread'? Science presenter Greg Foot finds out. Greg speaks to experts on a bunk-busting mission to test the latest consumer trends chosen by listeners. Do they live up to the hype? Or are they just marketing BS? Greg chats to the experts, dives into the data, performs tests and crunches the numbers before putting his findings back to the listener so they can decide if it’s worth spending their hard earned money on. New episodes of Sliced Bread are released weekly on Thursdays wherever you get your BBC podcasts. But you can listen to the latest episode on BBC Sounds first, a week earlier than anywhere else. If you have a suggestion for a product to investigate, you can email the team on sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk or send a WhatsApp voice note via the number 07543 306807. Sliced Bread is produced by BBC Audio North for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Sliced Bread is the series that investigates the latest ad-hyped products and trending fads promising to make us healthier, happier and greener. Are they really 'the best thing since sliced bread'? Science presenter Greg Foot finds out.Greg speaks to experts on a bunk-busting mission to test the latest consumer trends chosen by listeners. Do they live up to the hype? Or are they just marketing BS?Greg chats to the experts, dives into the data, performs tests and crunches the numbers before putting his findings back to the listener so they can decide if it’s worth spending their hard earned money on.New episodes of Sliced Bread are released weekly on Thursdays wherever you get your BBC podcasts. But you can listen to the latest episode on BBC Sounds first, a week earlier than anywhere else. If you have a suggestion for a product to investigate, you can email the team on <a href="mailto:sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer">sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk</a> or send a WhatsApp voice note via the number 07543 306807.Sliced Bread is produced by BBC Audio North for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Share Sliced Bread

Sign up to save your podcasts

Sliced Bread

Sliced Bread episodes

About Sliced Bread

Best of Sliced Bread

More shows like Sliced Bread

Global News Podcast

More or Less

Newshour

Money Box

In Our Time

The Documentary Podcast

6 Minute English

Learning English Conversations

Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4

The Infinite Monkey Cage

Desert Island Discs

The Food Programme

BBC Inside Science

Inside Health

Curious Cases

The Life Scientific

All in the Mind

CrowdScience

You're Dead to Me

The Missing Cryptoqueen

Americast

The Bomb

Just One Thing - with Michael Mosley

What's Up Docs?

Complex with Kimberley Wilson