Knowledge centre

What A Rush! Caffeine and sugar rich foods such as sweets, snacks, tea, and coffee (or combinations of all the above) are the most well-known and effective ways to gain an instant short-term energy boost. However, in recent times, it’s sports and energy drinks that are really on a steep upward trend - in 2019 the UK drank 866 million litres of the stuff! Caffeine is a safe stimulant, but excessive consumption over a longer period of time can put greater strain on body organs such as the heart and kidneys and, according to the British Nutrition Foundation, has even...

An itchy, runny nose. Red eyes. Wheezing, sneezing and angry, blotchy skin. It’s not a good look. But these are all symptoms that affect a surprisingly large number of us – in other words, people with allergies. According to the NHS, at least one in four people in the UK has one or more allergies at some point. And anyone – even the healthiest among us – can be affected, from babies to centenarians.   What we don’t know is exactly why some people develop allergies while others don’t. There could be a genetic link, since some types of allergies can often run...

Few things in life are guaranteed, but getting older is one of them. You could argue that you start ageing the minute you’re born. And if you’re lucky enough to live long enough, at some point you’ll spot those inevitable signs that you’re not as young as you used to be. But it’s not just about developing a touch of grey or the dreaded appearance of a wrinkle or two. Ageing can have a serious impact on your wellbeing, triggering changes in the body that can lead to things like: Weaker muscles and bones Creakier joints Poorer eyesight and hearing Worsening...

Ayurveda may be one of the oldest holistic health systems in the world but it’s still widely practised today in many cultures. In India, for instance – where it’s been practised for 5,000 years or so – ayurveda still provides health care to 65% of people in rural areas (says the World Health Organization). This means there are millions of people who rely on ayurveda as their main – and often only – source of healthcare.  The practice of ayurveda was documented in Sanskrit in sacred texts called the Vedas, which are thought to originate from around the second millennium BC/BCE. Some...

Sleep is a chemical process and our bodies require particular hormones, minerals and vitamins to make process happen. The act of eating, in itself, can help bring on sleep... particularly after a blood-sugar spike! But which foods have the ingredients we need? Here, our experts explain which nutrients are most important to sleep, why, and what you could eat more of to bring about fewer restless nights. We also look at herbal remedies and ancient medicines that are thought to improve sleep. Eat Well, Sleep Well Magnesium  This helps you sleep better in several ways. First, if your magnesium levels are...