This BBC Science Focus special edition reveals the science behind how to stay fit, live well and keep your brain sharp.
IN THIS ISSUE…
- How to get the perfect night's sleep - The science behind new fitness trends - Do brain-training games really work? - How to boost your microbiome - The neuroscience of happiness - How to stress-proof your life - The truth about superfoods
The Scientific Guide to a Healthy Body & Brain
Health hacks
50 TIPS TO BOOST YOUR HEALTH • SOMETIMES IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE. HERE ARE SOME SMALL WAYS YOU CAN HELP TO KEEP YOUR BRAIN SHARP, GET SOME GOOD SHUT-EYE, AND STAY HEALTHY AND HAPPY
CHOCOLATE • A little of what you like can do you good… when it’s chocolate
YOUR BODY • You know you should eat well, stay fit and get some good shut-eye. But what does science show are the best ways to do those things? In this section, discover the truth about fasting, superfoods and exercise trends, and how to de-stress and sleep well.
LIVE FAST OR DIE YOUNG? • Intermittent fasting is becoming more popular. But is it any better than cutting your calorie intake over the long-term? And are there any risks?
DO MUSLIMS GET HEALTHIER DURING RAMADAN?
WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR BODY ON A FASTING DIET?
THE TRUTH ABOUT SUPERFOODS • Kale and chia, goji berries and blueberries, salmon and spinach… Are these superfoods really the magic bullets they claim to be?
EVERYDAY HEROES • They’re not new or exotic, and they don’t always grab the headlines. But if these widely available ‘superfoods’ aren’t already in your kitchen, they should be
WHAT’S IN THE BRITISH GUT? • SCIENTISTS ARE SEARCHING FOR THE BACTERIAL PROFILE OF BRITISH PEOPLE’S GUTS, AS THE SUBTLE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE CONTENTS OF OURS AND THOSE OF PEOPLE ON OTHER CONTINENTS COULD TELL US MORE ABOUT OUR HEALTH THAN OUR GENES
9 WAYS TO BOOST YOUR MICROBIOME • The microbes in your gut can help you to get slimmer, be happier and live longer. Here’s how you can give them a helping hand…
THE NEW WAYS TO GET FIT • There isn’t yet a pill to replace exercise. And a drug being developed to break down fat for energy is still several trials away. Until they arrive, the following fitness trends driven by scientific advances could help you get in shape…
STRESS-PROOF YOUR LIFE • Got an endless to-do list? Heart racing? Dreading the 9 to 5? If this feels familiar, then it’s time to take back control
HOW TO BEAT STRESS • FORGET TAKING A CHILL PILL, THESE 10 SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN TECHNIQUES WILL HELP YOU PROTECT YOUR BODY AND YOUR BRAIN FROM THE DAILY GRIND
The PERFECT NIGHT’S SLEEP • How much shut-eye do we need? Do sleep aids really work? Discover the secrets to getting a good night…
DO SLEEP AIDS WORK?
FIVE THINGS TO AVOID FOR A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP
WHAT MAKES US TICK? • Ella Al-Shamahi tells us why we need to listen to our body clocks
The surprising NEW SCIENCE of SLEEP • YOU SPEND A THIRD OF YOUR LIFE IN BED (IF YOU’RE LUCKY), BUT SCIENTISTS ARE ONLY JUST BEGINNING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT GOES ON BETWEEN THE SHEETS. WE REVEAL THE UNEXPECTED DISCOVERIES BEING MADE IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT
"Speak French, Spanish or Italian as they are really spoken"
YOUR BRAIN • This vital organ needs nourishing and exercise. In this section, discover the best ways to supercharge your brain and boost your mood for a healthy, happy mind.
BRAIN BOOSTERS • The brain-training industry is booming. But do games and other brain-stimulating devices really work?
SUPERCHARGE YOUR BRAIN • What else can you do to keep your brain healthy and fire it up?
USE WITH CAUTION • Smart drugs and supplements may not be beneficial for your brain
The NEUROSCIENCE of...