The Wellness Scoop

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

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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

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This week on The Wellness Scoop, we’re talking about everything from navigating long-term IBS and nutrient gaps on a plant-forward diet, to making sense of fats, oils and everyday cooking choices.

We answer questions on flax and chia, including whether heat affects their omega-3 content and how to use them practically in meals. We look at iodine intake on a mostly plant-based diet, which foods contribute meaningfully, when supplementation can be helpful, and how to approach it without unnecessary anxiety or restriction.

We also explore IBS, why symptoms can persist for years, why one-size-fits-all diets often fall short, and what sustainable, personalised support can look like. Alongside this, we reflect on messages about phone use and digital habits, and how small shifts away from constant scrolling can support overall wellbeing.

Finally, we dig into fats and oils. We break down saturated fat and coconut oil, what the evidence says about cholesterol, how often it’s realistic to use, and how to think about vegan cheeses. We also compare olive oil and cold-pressed rapeseed oil, when each works best, and why variety tends to matter more than perfection.

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

Recommendations: 

The Night Manager

The Wedding People


Tell Me Lies on Disney+

Bridgerton


The Housemaid (film)

The 30 Plan by Catherine Rabess

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 variety in movement matters for long-term health, what new data is telling us about the rise in bowel cancer among younger adults, and why so many of us are starting to question how screens shape our time, attention and wellbeing.

We break down large new studies showing that mixing up how you move, even in small amounts, is linked to a lower risk of early death, and why the benefits level off long before extremes. We then explore new data on bowel cancer in under-50s, looking at alcohol intake, ultra-processed foods, red and processed meat, fibre and physical activity, and what the evidence consistently shows helps reduce risk without fear or all-or-nothing thinking.

We also dig into research showing that scrolling is the most common but least enjoyable way we spend our free time, and what people actually find more rewarding instead. Finally, we explore the growing return to analogue living, from craft hobbies and physical books to analogue bags and low-tech swaps, and why this shift may be less about nostalgia and more about reclaiming attention in an increasingly digital world.

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

Check out Ella's new Substack HERE

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