In the space of just a few months, the global coronavirus pandemic thrust science to the forefront of public consciousness. The public can no longer escape it, and science communicators now have to compete with armchair experts on an enormous scale. Digital innovations and the way society engages with information and ideas have rapidly changed and, if we want to be effective, science communicators also need to evolve in how they operate.

Scientists are expected, more than ever before, to communicate in some way to public audiences but to do this effectively requires skill and practice. Just throwing lots of…

Have you noticed that every other food and drink product seems to contain either prebiotics or probiotics?

There has been a huge surge of public and research interest in what’s going on at the microscopic level in our guts. Apparently, we’re all bloating, gassy and intolerant to everything and it’s our guts that are to blame. Our guts are filled with microscopic creatures (mostly bacteria), around 100 trillion of them in fact, just trying to do their job, but they are supposedly being upset by our terrible diets and lifestyles and need help to rebalance themselves. We want to keep…

Tips to Help You Make Sense of It All

The communication of science has never been more visible. The coronavirus pandemic has pushed the need for science to the forefront of public consciousness and has thrust scientists (no matter their tenuous link to the topic) under the media spotlight. Armchair experts and commentators have sprung up around the world to give their view, often based on little qualifications and experience. Statistics, graphs, models and specialist commentaries feature in every news report, radio discussion, and social media post. Much of it is conflicting and confusing, and it can feel overwhelming to mentally process. …

The health benefits of cocoa-based drinks

Chocolate, mmm.

There’s something so very perfect about its composition that makes us adore and crave it. Personally, I prefer the solid form but many people are just as happy drinking it and to justify the habit, may point towards the health benefits of cocoa. But before we explore this, let’s quickly clarify the difference between hot chocolate drinks and cocoa drinks. During processing, cocoa is separated into cocoa butter and cocoa powder for use in different products. Cocoa drinks are made from just the cocoa powder whereas hot chocolate is made using dark chocolate which also includes the cocoa…

At this unusual time, charities are struggling. Incomes are falling, services are being stalled or hampered, and staff being laid off. Many may ultimately close in the wake of the global impact of coronavirus and government efforts to restrain it. Despite this, there will also be a huge need for charities and their services once the world starts getting back to normal. There is likely to be a spike in the numbers requiring mental health support, financial help, jobs and education advice, and refuge, welfare and care services, amongst other matters. …

A hospital-grade detox at your convenience?

Looking for a quick shot of something that will improve your health from the inside out?

You might have noticed some very black beverages appearing in the health and wellness aisles. There are an increasing number of drinks that now offer the added extra of activated charcoal. Activated charcoal is a special type of highly microscopically porous charcoal used to soak up unwanted particles, not to be confused with burned toast or barbeque briquettes.(1)

In medical settings, it has been used for over 180 years as an important means of treating people who have ingested a poison or overdose of…

Ever been tempted by an electric blue drink, especially one with a promise of health-boosting properties?

Wellness websites, magazines and social media accounts have been promoting the inclusion of blue-green algae in drinks, not only because it makes them look pretty but because they claim it can do us good.

While blue-green algae describes a diverse group of plant-like organisms that grow in salt water, it is particularly Spirulina that is used in drinks for its supposed health benefits. Manufacturers and health gurus have been using Spirulina in beverages, giving them an attractive blue-green colour, as a source of protein…