This week on The Wellness Scoop, we’re talking about whether optimism can influence immune health, what the science really says about exercising on an empty stomach, and why cabbage is being tipped as 2026’s “it” vegetable.

We break down new research linking mindset and immune response, look at the evidence on fasted exercise, fat loss, metabolic health and hormones, and explore the rise of fibre, gut health and fermented foods through the return of cabbage to centre stage. We also dig into the darker side of modern wellness, including the rise of extreme detox trends like blood “cleaning”, and why supporting the body’s natural detox systems remains far more grounded in science.

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

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

This week on The Wellness Scoop, we’re unpacking some of the health debates that have been quietly everywhere. We start with the question that sparked a lot of reaction in December: should restaurants offer smaller portion sizes for women? We look at where the idea came from, what the data actually says, and why it struck such a nerve.

We then turn to meditation and breathwork. We talk about why they’re suddenly part of so many conversations around stress, hormones and the nervous system, what they’re actually doing in the body, and how to get started without turning calm into another thing to get “right”.

We also dig into your questions about food and health claims, from concerns around heavy metals in dark chocolate to whether “wellness” versions of everyday foods really offer anything extra. It’s a grounded look at what matters, what’s overhyped, and how to think about health choices without adding more pressure.

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

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

This week on The Wellness Scoop, we’re unpacking some of the health stories shaping how we think about wellbeing right now. We start with new research showing that regular, moderate exercise can be as effective as therapy for depression for some people, and what the evidence actually says about what works best.

We then look at two stories that reveal how much our food environment matters. New data shows just how much hidden salt we’re consuming in the UK, alongside research revealing how quickly weight can return after stopping weight-loss injections. Together, they highlight why long-term health can’t rely on medication alone.

We finish by exploring modern wellness culture, from the rise of the £12.50 super-salad as Gen Z’s new “treat” to the growing pressure to optimise every part of our lives, and when the pursuit of health can start to feel more stressful than supportive.

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

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

This week on The Wellness Scoop, we’re answering your questions on fasting trends, supplements, junk food advertising, and the beauty and wellness advice filling our feeds. Plus Ella deep dives into our time off social media and how she stopped doom scrolling to find more calm. 

We also talk about low iron and how to support iron intakes without relying on red meat, genetically high cholesterol and why diet alone doesn’t always change the numbers, and whether viral trends like sardine fasts or sea moss actually offer benefits or unnecessary risk. We also unpack magnesium for sleep, red light face masks, and how to approach supplements and beauty tech without getting pulled in by marketing.

We zoom out to the wider food environment too, including junk food advertising bans, celebrity endorsements of ultra-processed food, and whether these policies are likely to shape children’s health in a meaningful way. Along the way, we cover warm, nourishing meals that are easier to digest, budget-friendly shopping, and how to eat well without slipping into restriction.

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

Recommendations: 

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

This week on The Wellness Scoop, we’re digging into some of the biggest health stories shaping how we eat and live right now. We start with new data showing how weight-loss injections are quietly changing eating habits, with more people grazing on snacks instead of sitting down to meals, and what that could mean for nutrition, routine and long-term health.

We then explore the idea of the “perfect” morning routine. Inspired by a Guardian piece we loved, we talk about why there’s no one-size-fits-all formula, but how a handful of simple, repeatable habits can genuinely improve how the day begins without turning mornings into another thing to optimise.

We also take on detox culture. Drawing on a grounded BBC article, we explain why your body already detoxes itself extremely effectively, what actually supports those systems, and why fibre is emerging as one of the most important nutrition conversations of the year. And we unpick the new US food guidelines for you.

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

This week we’re answering your biggest nutrition questions with Professor Sarah Berry, one of the UK’s leading nutritional scientists. Together we break down how to really understand UPFs, what the science says about seed oils and how to spot the healthier options, and the simple everyday principles that genuinely support how you feel.

We dive into gut health and why diet diversity matters, the myths surrounding glucose, whether intermittent fasting is useful, and the truth about everything from plant points to low-fat foods. It’s a clear, practical, myth-busting conversation designed to cut through the confusion and help you feel confident in your everyday choices.

Recommendations: 

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

This week we’re unpacking three of the health stories that have been everywhere as January gets underway. We start with why friendship and social connection are now being talked about as a serious health issue, from loneliness in our 30s to the growing evidence that connection supports mental health, reduces inflammation and even influences longevity.

We then look at the headlines linking dark chocolate to ageing, breaking down the new research on cocoa compounds and biological age, why it was picked up so widely, and what it does and doesn’t mean in real life. As ever, context matters more than hype.

Finally, we dive into the nervous system and the vagus nerve, one of the biggest wellness trends heading into 2026. We explain what’s actually going on beneath the buzz, why so many people feel overstimulated and wired, and what genuinely helps your nervous system feel calmer and more regulated, without falling for quick fixes.

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

In this episode, we’re answering your questions on gut health and everyday nutrition, focusing on what genuinely supports your body without tipping into overwhelm or rigid food rules. From fibre and fats to supplements and sweeteners, we unpack what actually matters and how to build habits that feel sustainable in real life.

We talk about how quickly dietary changes can influence gut health, why small additions like seeds, fibre-rich foods and regular meals can make a noticeable difference, and what that tells us about how responsive the gut microbiome really is. We also break down the differences between omega 3, 6 and 9, how to think about seed oils without fear, and when supplements like zinc may be genuinely helpful, particularly after pregnancy.

We also spend time on the emotional side of eating well. We discuss how to nourish your body without slipping into obsessive behaviours, how to navigate body image pressure and online trends, and why true health should support flexibility, enjoyment and resilience rather than control.

Recommendations:

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

As we head into a new year, we’re focusing on what it really means to build a healthy 2026, without extremes or quick fixes. In this episode, we look at the health stories shaping the year ahead and what they tell us about making calmer, more informed decisions for long-term wellbeing.

We explore hopeful developments in cancer prevention, following a Channel 4 documentary and UK reporting on vaccine trials starting this year for people at higher risk, and what this shift towards prevention could mean for the future of healthcare. We also unpack a major move from the World Health Organization to properly study traditional and natural medicine, from meditation and tai chi to simple food-based interventions, and how these practices fit alongside modern medicine.

Finally, we look at a sobering wellness story gaining attention at the start of the year. Reports of botulism linked to anti-wrinkle injections raise important questions about safety, regulation and informed consent, and what people need to know to make safer choices.

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

This week we’re closing out the year with the moments that shaped 2025; the trends that genuinely made a difference, the habits that stuck and the simple rituals our whole community kept coming back to. From red light masks and fibre-maxxing to the wellness shifts that actually felt doable, we’re sharing what mattered most and why it resonated.

We’re also diving into your end-of-year questions, from navigating UPFs and building easy plant-forward meals to creating cosy evening rituals and figuring out which habits are really worth prioritising. It’s a practical, honest look at what helped us feel grounded this year and the small anchors we’re taking with us into 2026.

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