Good Food
type: channel
link: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com
date: 2026-01-27T11:54:27.000Z
update period: hourly
update frequency: 1
update base: 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00
items: Exactly how harmful are your bad habits?
items: Sweaty secrets: all you ever wanted to know about perspiration (and a lot that you didn’t!)
items: Ageing isn’t inevitable – 19 ways to keep your brain sharp
items: How to spot health misinformation online
items: We tried 10 hangover cures – these are the ones we’d recommend
items: “I only poo twice a week. Is this normal?” And 10 more questions you always wanted to ask a gut health specialist
items: 10 wellness influencers on the gifts they’ll be giving this Christmas
items: Five signs you're already experiencing burnout (and how to fix it)
items: Are wellness shots worth the hype?
items: Do you have bad gut health? This tell-tale symptom will show you

Exactly how harmful are your bad habits?
type: item
date: 2026-01-23T10:50:34.000Z
creator: Pete Wise
subject: Health
subject: Wellness
subject: goodhealth
subject: healthy habits
description: From drinking too much alcohol to having too many late nights, the experts assess how much damage you’re doing – and provide tips to mitigate the harm or even quit altogether.
encoded: Almost everyone has a harmful habit. In the most recent Health Survey for England report (the survey has been paused since the pandemic), nearly nine in 10 adults said they regularly engage in a damaging behaviour, such as smoking or drinking alcohol excessively. These habits are often addictions, misguided coping mechanisms or adversity driven, and many are easy to fall into. There are all sorts of reasons why people develop harmful habits, and the difficulty of quitting is scientifically understood. The good news is that there are tried and tested methods to help you quit just about any harmful habit. You’ll find harm reduction and habit-breaking tips below, along with the sobering facts on how bad habits can harm your health. How harmful habits affect your health Smoking You might be among the dwindling number of smokers who still love a cigarette with their morning coffee on a summer’s day, in the winter chill and, well, in most situations – but it’s well established that tobacco does not love you back. Smoking damages almost every organ in the body, according to Hazel Cheeseman, CEO of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH). “It harms the heart and blood vessels by increasing blood pressure and causing fatty build-up in arteries, raising the risk of heart attack and stroke,” she says. “In the lungs, smoking causes chronic cough, breathlessness and COPD, and is the leading cause of lung cancer. It also increases the risks of at least 16 other cancers.” Cheeseman adds that smoking weakens the immune system, slows healing, damages teeth and gums, accelerates skin ageing, reduces fertility and, during pregnancy, increases the risks of miscarriage, premature birth and low birthweight. If this is too much information to take in, simply consider smoking’s impact on your life expectancy: “on average, people who smoke die around 10 years earlier than non-smokers,” says Cheeseman. “It also shortens healthy life expectancy, with smokers requiring care and help with everyday t…

Bad-habitshero-48a68e5.jpg
width: 3000
height: 2727

Sweaty secrets: all you ever wanted to know about perspiration (and a lot that you didn’t!)
type: item
date: 2026-01-12T11:25:25.000Z
creator: Lucy Gornall
subject: Guide
subject: Health
subject: Wellness
subject: How to
subject: goodhealth
subject: sweat
description: Personal trainers and medical experts unpick the science behind your sweat
encoded: If there’s one thing that we all have in common, but hardly ever talk about, it’s that we sweat. From the glisten on your forehead after a spin class, to clammy hands and damp patches under your armpits before a big meeting, sweating is completely normal. In fact, the average human sweats around 278 gallons (1,263 litres) every year. Over a lifetime, that’s well over 100,000 litres of perspiration. “Sweating isn’t a sin and shouldn’t be seen as one. It’s perfectly normal and it’s your body’s way of regulating its core temperature,” says personal trainer Paul Tomkins . Adding to this, Dr Vijay Nayar at Healthium Clinics says: “Our core temperature may rise due to infection, heat, stress, exercise and sometimes even when we eat spicy food. When this happens, your nervous system then signals the sweat glands to release fluid onto the skin which evaporates and cools us down.” But despite being a natural process, for a lot of us, sweating is embarrassing. We may even associate it with poor hygiene. Yet the reality is, sweat is far from dirty. “Sweat is composed of mainly water with some electrolytes such as salt added in,” says Dr Nayar. “Over the course of a day an average person loses around half to one litre at rest but this will increase in hot climates and with exercise.” So what’s actually going on under your skin when you sweat? Why do some people sweat buckets while others barely break a glow? It’s time for a few sweaty truths… Discover our full range of health benefit guides and find out what to eat for a workout, what to eat for healthy joints and the best fitness trackers for exercise lovers. Plus, browse our energy-boosting breakfast recipes. What causes excessive sweating? Although it’s a normal bodily response, for some people sweating can cross the line from simply inconvenient to excessive. “Genetics play a significant role, meaning some individuals naturally have more active sweat glands than others,” says Dr Ross Perry, medical director of Cosmedics ski…

hero-91d9b17.jpg
width: 3000
height: 2728

Ageing isn’t inevitable – 19 ways to keep your brain sharp
type: item
date: 2025-12-23T14:00:46.000Z
creator: Kerry Torrens – Nutritionist
subject: Guide
subject: Health
subject: Wellness
subject: How to
subject: ageing
subject: ageing well
subject: brain health
subject: diet and ageing
subject: goodhealth
subject: staying healthy and ageing
description: Research shows that there are simple measures you can take to help fight cognitive decline.
encoded: With the latest evidence suggesting we have a powerful influence over how we age and, more importantly, how our brains age, what are the practical ways we can try and take control over this key aspect of our health? There’s no surefire way to avoid cognitive decline because some factors that determine risk, like age, ethnicity and genetics, can’t be changed. But there are many factors we can control. New evidence suggests that reducing the risks of dementia by modifying key factors increases the number of healthy years we can expect to enjoy. It’s thought that up to 45% of dementia cases are linked to factors we can control. As we pass through midlife and beyond, there are positive steps we can all take that will help our brains age well and stay sharp. Things like the food we eat, how we challenge our thinking, getting together more often or having a positive outlook on life can make a powerful difference. Discover our full range of health benefit guides and check out our guide on diet and dementia as well as our brain-boosting recipe selection. Cognitive decline can start decades before you or your loved ones notice any symptoms, so whatever your age (but especially if you’re in your 40s or 50s), it's best to take action now. Only a third of people in the UK realise there are ways to reduce dementia risk, while experts suggest a huge difference could be made by addressing 14 risk factors. We’ve translated these risk factors into 19 steps you can put into practice straight away. Try focusing on the two or three steps that are most relevant for you initially; when they’re established as part of your routine, move on to the next ones. 19 ways to keep your brain sharp 1. Check your blood pressure Persistent high blood pressure (that’s a top reading of 130 or more) in midlife is linked to both a smaller brain volume and damage to the small blood vessels inside the brain, both of which put you at increased risk of dementia. A normal blood pressure reading is considered …

healthy-ageing-hero-1cc7569.jpg
width: 5937
height: 5397

How to spot health misinformation online
type: item
date: 2025-12-23T14:00:35.000Z
creator: Rebecca Seal
subject: Guide
subject: Health
subject: Wellness
subject: How to
subject: goodhealth
subject: health news
subject: social media
description: Can you trust the videos you’re watching, and how much harm do they do?
encoded: In 2023, a couple of 'momfluencers' (mums with a big social media following) racked up <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/false-claims-pregnancy-childbirth-are-going-viral-tiktok-cons-list-2023-4#:~:text=These%20hormonal%20changes%20might%20also,t%20fall%20off%20from%20breastfeeding.https://www.businessinsider.com/false-claims-pregnancy-childbirth-are-going-viral-tiktok-cons-list-2023-4%23:~:text=These%20hormonal%20changes%20might%20also,t%20fall%20off%20from%20breastfeeding." target="_blank" rel="noopener">millions of views on TikTok claiming that pregnancy turns your sweat blue and makes your teeth fall out. Studies have found that over half of mental health advice on TikTok and almost 45 per cent of nutrition posts on Instagram contain inaccurate or dangerous information (such as a post that claimed eating an orange in the shower can treat anxiety). Discover our full range of health guides, whether it's intuitive eating, diet and lifestyle tips to help manage stress or diet tips and foods that help you sleep. What is the harm? The harm caused by health misinformation varies. Sometimes, it’s just about wasted time or money, but a 2023 study found that nearly 75 per cent of Youtube videos and 50 per cent of TikTok videos about birth control discouraged using it. Recent data from Wales shows a drop in the number of women using hormonal contraception and a rise in the number of abortions; researchers linked this to contraception misinformation. TikTok and Instagram are littered with posts about turmeric to fight inflammation, but the Australian Government and the US Drug Liver Injury Network have both warned about a rise in liver injuries from taking turmeric supplements. Dermatologists are reporting higher numbers of people with sun damage after scare stories were circulated about sunscreen causing skin cancer rather than preventing it. “More than half of us, across all generations, now go on social media as a first port of call for health information, before …

Laptop-b25c754.jpg
width: 4250
height: 3864

We tried 10 hangover cures – these are the ones we’d recommend
type: item
date: 2025-12-19T13:22:11.000Z
creator: Emma Hartfield
subject: Health
subject: Wellness
subject: best hangover cure
subject: curing a hangover
subject: Hangover cure
subject: Hangover food
subject: Hangover recipes
description: The Good Food team pooled their tried-and-tested hangover cures and got an expert nutritionist to rank the most effective
encoded: The classic symptoms of hangover – a pounding head, dehydration, low blood sugar and an upset stomach – typically start when almost all the alcohol has been cleared from your system, probably 8-10 hours after your night out. It’s not unusual to feel pretty rough for at least 24 hours, although it can take longer to get back to feeling your old self again. Sadly, there’s no definitive cure for a hangover. But many of us have go-to ways of propping ourselves up next morning; how effective these are will depend on whether they address the key symptoms of excess alcohol or simply make us feel a little less sorry for ourselves. This festive season, the Good Food team have shared their favoured hangover solutions, and we’ve asked nutritionist Kerry Torrens to rate them. Find out if yours is on the list, or what you should do to improve your morning after… Our top 10 go-to hangover cures: 1. Healthy pepper tomato & ham omelette Chosen by: Kerry, nutritionist Given that it's our nutritionist’s recommendation, you’d probably expect this breakfast of champions to take the top spot in our list. Nutritionist says: Eggs are a festive storecupboard essential. Quick to prepare, nourishing and filling, eggs sustain and restore you the morning after. They contain almost all essential nutrients, except vitamin C – which is provided here by the peppers and tomatoes. This omelette uses a combination of egg whites and whole eggs; egg whites are a natural source of cysteine, an amino acid that breaks down the toxic byproducts of alcohol that are responsible for your banging head and upset stomach. Egg yolks meanwhile are a source of choline, a water-soluble vitamin that supports the liver’s detoxication process. And the ham and cheese will help curb those post-alcohol cravings. Verdict: Requiring minimal fuss, this nourishing option will restore energy levels and replenish lost nutrients. Swap the ham for smoked salmon if you prefer, then simply add a hydrating drink such as a glass of w…

hero-1ed55e5.jpg
width: 1417
height: 1289

“I only poo twice a week. Is this normal?” And 10 more questions you always wanted to ask a gut health specialist
type: item
date: 2025-12-11T12:33:56.000Z
creator: Catherine Rabess
subject: Health
subject: Wellness
subject: goodhealth
subject: gut health
subject: how to improve gut health
description: Gut health has been a huge area of interest and discovery, but sometimes it feels that the more we find out, the less we understand. Here are some of the questions we’d ask a specialist dietitian
encoded: As a gut health specialist dietitian, I regularly reassure people that discussing topics like your poo, farts and everything in between is normal, and never TMI. Gut health affects your overall wellbeing, and common digestive concerns are more typical than you might expect. Most digestive issues have simple solutions. Here are some of the questions that I’m regularly asked… Q. I only poo twice a week. Is this normal? A. Anything from three times a day to twice a week can be normal. The important thing is that you know what's normal for you, and your body feels comfortable with that rhythm. Some people naturally go less often, and that is fine. As long as your poo is soft, easy to pass with a feeling of complete emptying, and not linked to any other troublesome symptoms – and that’s your regular schedule – then there’s likely no need for worry. But for many, twice a week may be a sign of constipation. Slow bowel movements usually come from too little fibre, not enough fluids and lack of movement. Hormone fluctuations, stress and medication can also play a part. Start with simple changes – move more, and gradually increase the fibre in your diet from fruit, vegetables, pulses, nuts, seeds and wholegrains. Ensure you are keeping well hydrated. Aim for 1.5-2L a day, preferably from water. These small shifts can have a big impact. If you still have discomfort and see no improvement, always speak to your GP. Q. If I’m bloated after eating, does it mean I have an intolerance? A. No, not necessarily – and you don’t need an expensive, inaccurate intolerance test either. Bloating is a normal part of digestion, especially after a larger or high-fibre meal. But it may not always be tied to what you eat. Often it is linked to how you eat. Eating fast, skipping meals then having a large one, talking while eating, or taking in lots of air can all leave you swollen and uncomfortable. Fizzy drinks and chewing gum could also play a role. Food intolerances tend to show a clear pattern…

Hero-ebe4e6e.jpg
width: 3000
height: 2728

10 wellness influencers on the gifts they’ll be giving this Christmas
type: item
date: 2025-11-27T15:06:32.000Z
creator: Luisa Metcalfe
subject: Guide
subject: Health
subject: Wellness
subject: How to
subject: Christmas gifts
subject: christmas gifts ideas
subject: Christmas presents
subject: goodhealth
description: What do health and fitness experts choose for the people they care about?
encoded: Are you stumped about what to buy your friends and family for Christmas this year? Many of us are keen to give loved ones something different, swapping the usual boxes of chocolates and beauty gift sets for presents with more meaning. And in the midst of the cost of living crisis, giving handmade presents is to be encouraged. We’ve asked health, fitness and wellbeing experts for their favourite Christmas presents to help people feel good, stay active and be well into 2026. The nutritionist Registered nutritionist and author Rhiannon Lambert, whose upcoming book The Fibre Formula is due out in March (rhitrition.com), advises giving a sweet treat with a difference. “For the chocolate lovers in your life, good-quality dark chocolate (around 75% cocoa tends to contain more naturally occurring antioxidants) can make a gorgeous Christmas gift. “As a self-confessed dark chocolate fan, it’s something I always love to receive. Beyond tasting wonderful, darker chocolate varieties contain naturally occurring compounds such as flavanols, which may offer antioxidant benefits and could play a role in supporting heart and brain health.” The wellbeing GP London-based NHS GP Dr Gareth Patterson spreads good gut bacteria along with cheer at Christmas. “Fermentation kits are a fun, approachable way for people to support their gut health,” he says. “Making things like kefir, kimchi or sauerkraut at home sounds complicated, but a simple kit removes the guesswork. It’s a great conversation starter, and once people try it they often keep it up because the results taste good and contain those beneficial live cultures.” He also gives mindfulness or meditation app subscriptions. “It’s a genuinely supportive gift, something that helps people feel calmer day to day without being overwhelming.” The dermatologist Dr Thivi Maruthappu, the UK’s first dual-qualified dermatologist and nutritionist, and author of Skinfood: Your 4-Step Solution to Healthy, Happy Skin (drthivi.com), recommends Dirtea m…

wellness-gifts-8935880.jpg
width: 3333
height: 3333

Five signs you're already experiencing burnout (and how to fix it)
type: item
date: 2025-11-14T13:16:12.000Z
creator: Laura Keyes
subject: Guide
subject: Health
subject: Wellness
subject: How to
subject: goodhealth
description: Think you might be suffering from burnout? Find out the tell tale signs to look out for, and get expert tips on how to combat it
encoded: We are living in trying times. With hustle culture forcing us to work harder than ever, social media piling on the pressure, a constant barrage of information on how to be our healthiest selves and the rising cost of living, it’s no wonder we may be feeling a sense of burnout. We’ll highlight the key signs to be aware of so that you can identify potential burnout. We’ll also offer some tried and tested expert tips on how to deal with it. Burnout is a state of emotional, mental and physical exhaustion brought on by prolonged or repeated stress. Burnout has the potential to affect us all. A recent survey reported that the risk of burnout remains present, with 34% of adults experiencing high/extreme levels of pressure or often/always feeling stressed in the past year. In the USA, a study showed that 66% of employees experienced burnout last year. In the UK, we are also heading towards winter, with reduced daylight and colder weather. Autumn has even been described as ‘burnout season’ as many people feel less motivated and energised. For many end of year deadlines loom, increasing workloads and changing routines, so the autumn and early winter period naturally increases burnout potential. When feeling this way, we can turn to comforting ourselves with sugary and ultra processed foods, but these can unfortunately lead to getting stuck in a cycle of sugar crashes and further cravings. Working on managing these cravings and consciously including more protein with our meals can help us to feel fuller with more stable energy levels. What are the common signs of burnout? Though we are all different in how we respond to chronic stress, there are some key signs to watch out for: Physical signs Exhaustion is a key early sign, general fatigue and ‘running on empty’ when you wake up, sleep difficulties, craving sugary food and ultra processed foods (UPFs), pain such as headaches and musculoskeletal pain, and chronic health issues which can include respiratory and gastrointestinal …

Stressed-at-work-68cce6f.jpg
width: 1200
height: 1200

Are wellness shots worth the hype?
type: item
date: 2025-11-07T14:17:06.000Z
creator: Jo Travers
subject: Guide
subject: Health
subject: Wellness
subject: How to
subject: goodhealth
description: Are these ‘magic potions’ a magic bullet for your health? Or just overpriced juice? Our nutritionist investigates what’s worth your money and what’s not
encoded: Wellness shots might seem like a modern phenomenon, with rows of colourful little bottles now packing out fridges in shops and cafes. But taking tonics and elixirs is nothing new, as Ayurvedic and Chinese herbal medicines show us. Since there have been people, it seems, there have been people wanting to feel better. Finding ways to improve athletic performance, enhance the immune system, give us more energy, reduce anxiety, heighten focus and alertness and generally optimise how we function is something that is important to many of us. But we prefer it to be easy, right? And that’s where modern wellness drinks slot in: quick, convenient and ready-made with the promise of ticking those boxes. There are a few different categories of wellness drinks aimed at different people. Exercisers are targeted with recovery shots; people with gut health issues can try pro- and pre-biotic drinks; for stress and relaxation there are CBD-infused drinks; vitamin shots for immunity; herbal extracts for perimenopause and brain-boosting shots containing adaptogens. But do they actually live up to their promises and, if so, should we all be drinking them? Let’s have a look at the evidence to see if they’re worth the money and – most importantly – are they safe? Recovery drinks There is definitely a lot of evidence that nutrients can help performance and recovery after exercise. Some shots on the market contain caffeine to give an energy kick or beetroot for a source of nitrates, shown to aid blood flow and respiration. Electrolytes can help rehydration and amino acids – such as leucine and isoleucine – can help muscle soreness. Look for these ingredients in your drink, but also be aware that getting the effective dose is important. A lack of regulation in the market means that, unfortunately, there is very little reassurance that these drinks actually contain what they say they do. For example, studies show that, to see an effect on muscle recovery, between 2 and 10g of leucine or isoleu…

health-drinksv2-77c3b00.jpg
width: 3333
height: 3333

Do you have bad gut health? This tell-tale symptom will show you
type: item
date: 2025-10-20T14:00:37.000Z
creator: Jo Travers
subject: Guide
subject: Health
subject: Wellness
subject: How to
subject: bloating
subject: constipation
subject: Digestion
subject: foods for gut health
subject: goodhealth
subject: gut health
description: Did you know your gut health can affect your immunity, digestion, energy levels, mood and overall well-being? No surprise then that many of us are increasingly fascinated by what makes a ‘healthy’ gut. But how can you tell if yours is ‘healthy’ or not? Could one tell-tale symptom hold the answer…
encoded: A growing body of evidence supports the importance of gut health to our overall wellbeing. This is because what goes on in the gut is linked to many other organs and systems in the body. For example, the gut is in direct contact with the brain (known as the gut-brain axis) and is also an integral part of our immune system. This means our gut is not only responsible for digesting food and absorbing nutrients, it can lead to a host of other symptoms too, from altering our mood to influencing how many colds we get. If you’re feeling bloated, most of the time, then listen up, because your body could be telling you that your gut is not as ‘healthy’ as it could be. This is because regular abdominal bloating can be a sign of too much gas in your system. If you experience regular bloating, say it happens every day from lots of different foods and drinks, it suggests the food you eat isn’t being digested properly, and instead is fermenting in the gut and producing lots of gas. One reason for this is that the balance of bacteria that are known to live in the gut may be less favourable. Remember not all bloating is caused by an unhealthy gut, for example, drinking lots of fizzy drinks can cause bloating, occasionally, as can gulping your food too quickly so it may be helpful to keep a food diary to see how relevant this is for you. Discover more about gut health with the Good Food guide to digestive health, or try some of our gut-friendly recipes and the best probiotic foods. Here's some other ways to tell if your gut might not be as healthy as it could be… 1. You’re suffering excessive wind Everyone passes wind (the average is around 25 times a day), but if you’re finding you have a lot of wind, it’s another sign that excess gas is being produced in the gut. As humans we can’t digest fibre, so we rely on good gut bacteria to digest it for us. If we don’t have the right balance of bacteria in the gut – a condition called dysbiosis – the breakdown of certain foods can be affect…

Bad-Gut-Health-2f91896.png
width: 1299
height: 1181