Loneliness is now considered as harmful to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, with studies linking social isolation to a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, and even early death. We explore why strong relationships are one of the most powerful predictors of long-term health—and how small, meaningful connections can make a difference.

We also dive into the risks of ultra-processed foods, from their impact on toddlers’ development to their surprising link to eyesight issues. With 61% of a UK toddler’s diet now coming from UPFs, experts are raising the alarm about potential speech delays and oral development concerns. Plus, new research suggests ultra-processed foods may damage retinal blood vessels, increasing the risk of vision problems like age-related macular degeneration.

In this week’s wellness trend, we unpack the viral tongue scraping craze—does it actually improve bad breath and oral health, or is it just another wellness fad?

And in our listener question, we break down why sugar cravings happen and how to manage them without feeling deprived.

Tickets for The Wellness Scoop Live: https://cadoganhall.com/whats-on/the-wellness-scoop-with-ella-mills-and-rhiannon-lambert/

Recommendations:

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