Did you know, the average human adult contains approximately 2-4 grams of iron, the majority of which is in our red blood cells (1, 2)? And that anaemia affects around 33% of the world's population, and that half of those cases are a result of iron deficiency (3)?…

There is lots of talk surrounding how our diet may affect our risk of getting ill, and it is important to point out at the start that there is no way to “boost” our immune system, and that there are no miracle supplements or foods which prevent illness. However, having an adequate diet…

Did you know, the average human adult contains approximately 2-4 grams of iron, the majority of which is in our red blood cells (1, 2)? And that anaemia affects around 33% of the world’s population, and that half of those cases are a result of iron deficiency (3)? The role of iron and its interplay…

Recently, the UK government announced that from next year, larger “out-of-home” food businesses will have to display calories on their menus and food packaging. This means that any restaurant, café or takeaway business with over 250 employees will need to show the…

Vitamin D acts as a catalyst for many of our bodily systems, from bone development to strong immune systems, and even our circadian rhythm. Researchers have also expressed the potential links between adequate Vitamin D protecting us against coronavirus. (1) So, when the sunshine…

Our risk of getting diseases such as certain cancers can be divided into non-modifiable and modifiable risk factors. Non-modifiable factors, that we cannot control, include things like age or having a strong family history of a particular disease. Modifiable risk factors include lifestyle…

The World Health Organization recommends that consumption of free sugars should be reduced throughout the life course. It is recommended that the free sugars in an individual’s daily diet should not comprise more than 5% of their total energy intake (1)…

Professor Charles Spence from the University of Oxford uses science to show that the gastronomic experience is much more than we think, see, taste, smell or hear (Gastrophysics, Charles Spence). It is a combination of the lighting in the room, the smell around the table, the texture…

As you may have seen in the news, folic acid will be added to UK flour to help prevent birth defects(1). So what is folic acid? Why is fortification necessary? and most importantly, how might this affect the UK population? Folic acid, a synthetic form of folate, is an important micronutrient…

Emerging research suggests that dietary intake in the months leading up to conception can impact not only your ability to fall pregnant, but also the outcome of your pregnancy and future health of your baby1. With approximately 50% of pregnancies being unplanned, it is a great idea…

Let me ask you this: how much of your time, money, and, quite frankly, well-being have you wasted on bad advice, fad diets, supplements, and diet pills over the years? I wouldn’t be surprised if you have invested hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds in your lifetime. According to Yoni…

Some people swear by sweeteners as a ‘healthier’ low-calorie alternative to sugar to help with weight loss and management, whilst others believe them to be the cause of certain metabolic diseases such as diabetes, as well as obesity, and some cancers. Despite some limited evidence…

Appetite is our natural desire to eat food to satisfy our bodily needs. It may result from internal cues such as hunger or external hedonic cues such as foods we find appealing (1, 2). Working from home the past year, I can personally say my screen time has increased. This is consistent with…

Around the world, a few select geographical regions have been designated Blue Zones due to a significantly higher life expectancy in these areas compared to anywhere else on the planet. The Blue Zones include the Italian island of Sardinia; the Greek island Ikaria; Okinawa, Japan…

Gestational diabetes mellitus, or GDM, is a form of diabetes that affects pregnant people. According to the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (1), GDM is defined as any degree of glucose intolerance that is not clearly pre-existing diabetes. Having GDM can increase the…

A survey last year found that adults will try 126 different diets during their lifetime, with an average of 2-3 a year.[1] The top five diets were the 5:2 diet (intermittent fasting), Atkins and keto diets (very low carbohydrate), a cabbage soup diet and juice cleanses. You will likely have tried…

In recent years, evidence has demonstrated the important role of the gut in maintaining good general health. It is thought that this is largely due to the influence of the gut microbiota, the community of trillions of microorganisms that reside along the digestive tract. In fact, our…