Ultra-Processed Snacks, Sugar Cravings, The Gut-Brain Connection

Loneliness is now considered as harmful to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, with studies linking social isolation to a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, and even early death. We explore why strong relationships are one of the most powerful predictors of long-term health—and how small, meaningful connections can make a difference. We also dive into the risks of ultra-processed foods, from their impact on toddlers’ development to their surprising link to eyesight issues. With 61% of a UK toddler’s diet now coming from UPFs, experts are raising the alarm about potential speech delays and oral development concerns. Plus, new research suggests ultra-processed foods may damage retinal blood vessels, increasing the risk of vision problems like age-related macular degeneration. In this week’s wellness trend, we unpack the viral tongue scraping craze—does it actually improve bad breath and oral health, or is it just another wellness fad? And in our listener question, we break down why sugar cravings happen and how to manage them without feeling deprived. Tickets for The Wellness Scoop Live: https://cadoganhall.com/whats-on/the-wellness-scoop-with-ella-mills-and-rhiannon-lambert/ Recommendations: Date and banana nut butter bites: Press 18 pitted medjool dates (about 400g) into a lined tray, spread over 4 heaped tablespoons of creamy peanut butter, layer with 2 thinly sliced ripe bananas, and pour over 2 melted bars of dark chocolate (about 150g). Sprinkle with sea salt, freeze for at least an hour, then slice and enjoy straight from the freezer. See it in action here Yotam Ottolenghi's article: 'I tried intermittent fasting, and hated it. This is why we need to ditch the diets and go back to basics' Tongue Scrapers - a recommended wellness trend Pre-order Rhi's new book 'The Unprocessed Plate'