Sliced Bread

Whether it’s cutting out the background chatter to hear the radio, or drowning out the snoring coming from the room next door, the promise of noise cancelling headphones is enticing. But do they live up to the marketing hype? Are they The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread, or BS?Greg Foot is joined by BBC 6 Music DJ & Host Mary Anne Hobbs, who lends her professional ear to a pair of noise cancelling headphones. While acoustic engineer Professor Trevor Cox unpicks the science fact from the science fiction.Presenter: Greg Foot Producer: Beth Eastwood

Teeth whitening toothpastes, strips and gizmos are more popular than ever. But what is the evidence that any of them actually work? And what about the HiSmile Teeth Whitening Kit that's been doing the rounds on social media?Are these products The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread or marketing BS?Greg Foot talks to fashion commentator and broadcaster, Grace Woodward about her experience with these products while Professor Martin Ashley, Consultant in Restorative Dentistry at the University Dental Hospital of Manchester, is on hand to separate the science fact from the science fiction. Presenter: Greg Foot Producer: Beth Eastwood

We all know that sunscreen helps to protect our skin from the sun’s burning rays, but are you sure you’re using the right one? Do you struggle to untangle the UVAs from the UVBs, and the SPFs from the star-ratings?Greg Foot talks to Antonia Mariconda, beauty writer and founder of the Safety in Beauty Campaign, who knows just how baffled consumers are.On hand to decode the sunscreen labelling is Dermatologist, Dr Andrew Birnie, from East Kent Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust. Common claims, such as ‘waterproof’ and ‘reef safe’ are also put through the evidence mill.Producer: Beth Eastwood

CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of the big buzzwords in health and well being products. A naturally occurring molecule of the cannabis plant, it’s popping up in everything - aside from the CBD oil tinctures, you can now eat it, down it in drinks, vape it, lather it on your skin and soak in it. You can even buy sports leggings infused with it. Consumer interest in CBD-based products shows no sign of abating, with enthusiasts claiming a whole host of benefits from relieving anxiety, to easing pain and helping us sleep.The theory behind how CBD might work seems promising - CBD shares similarities with endocannabinoids, produced naturally in the body, which help to regulate stress, sleep, metabolism, memory, inflammation, and immunity. Given the deluge of different CBD-based products, should we really believe the hype?Greg Foot talks to beauty columnist Sali Hughes and Saoirse O’Sullivan, an expert in cannabinoid research, to find out if these products really are The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread. Produced by Beth Eastwood.

Can caffeine hair products prevent our hair from getting thinner as we get older and, even better, reverse the process? Or does this ingredient just end up going down the plughole?Joining Greg Foot in the studio is Ian Carmichael, Senior Director in Styling at Trevor Sorbie, the Hair Salon, who styles many high profile heads including Her Majesty the Queen’s.Dermatologist Dr Paul Farrant, from Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals Trust, is on hand to put two products through the evidence mill, separating the facts from the fads to reveal whether caffeine hair products really are The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread. Produced by Beth Eastwood.

As the Goop Lab TV series lands in Netflix accounts, Greg Foot and guests look at the scientific evidence for the therapies tried out by Goop staff, including Gwyneth Paltrow herself. Dr James Rucker, lead on the psilocybin trials at King's College, London, talks about psychedelic therapy, and Dr Sarah Davey, Lecturer in Sport & Exercise Science, Oxford Brookes University, discusses the evidence for cold water therapy. To check out if there's any science behind vampire facials and other skin treatments Greg turns to Dr Nisith Sheth, dermatologist at St John’s Institute of Dermatology, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals. Professor Edzard Ernst, Emeritus Professor of Complementary Medicine at the University of Exeter, is our reviewer of the evidence for the effects of Reiki and other forms of energy healing. And gynaecologist and pain specialist, Dr Jen Gunter, author of The Vagina Bible, is our expert on what the Goop Lab says about how women can have better sex.

We’ve all seen athletes sporting brightly coloured stripes on the backs of their legs – but is kinesiology tape all it’s cracked up to be? Presenter Greg Foot is joined by Olympic medallist heptathlete Kelly Sotherton, along with consultant rheumatologist Dr Benjamin Ellis and Manchester United FC’s head of physical therapies Prof Michael Callaghan, to ask whether these products can, as some claim, help athletes train for longer and finish stronger?

Do topical pain products really relieve aching muscles? Presenter Greg Foot is joined by Olympic medallist heptathlete Kelly Sotherton, along with consultant rheumatologist Dr Benjamin Ellis and Manchester United FC’s head of physical therapies Prof Michael Callaghan, to test the cooling gels and warming sprays that promise to reach deep into painful joints.Presenter: Greg Foot Producer: Marijke Peters Editor: Rami Tzabar Sound Editing: Giles Aspen

Can turmeric lattes prevent memory loss? Greg Foot is joined by Blur’s Alex James and experts to put claims about this ancient Indian spice to the test.Presenter: Greg Foot Producer: Marijke Peters Studio Manager: Sue Maillot Editor: Rami Tzabar

Does kombucha boost your immune system? Greg Foot is joined by Blur’s Alex James and experts to put this fermented wonder drink to the test.Presenter: Greg Foot Producer: Marijke Peters

Vitamin C is one of the most popular products used to combat the common cold. But does it work? Greg Foot reviews the evidence for both vitamin C and zinc to see if they are The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread.He’s joined again by podcaster, rapper and actor Scroobius Pip and virologist Wendy Barclay from Imperial College London. The team will be giving you their Top Tips, backed by real scientific evidence, for beating the winter bugs.Presenter: Greg Foot Producer: Michelle Martin Researcher: Amelia West Studio Managers: Emma Harth, John Boland Editors: Deborah Cohen, Rami TzabarThe Best Thing Since Sliced Bread is a BBC Science Radio Unit Production.

With offices and schools set to a soundtrack of sniffles, science presenter and YouTuber Greg Foot is on mission to find 'The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread' to beat the winter bugs.Joining him for this double episode is rapper, podcaster and actor Scroobius Pip, a man for whom protecting his voice is a professional priority. Under the microscope today are those handy hand sanitisers that promise to stop bacteria and viruses in their tracks.Virologist Wendy Barclay from Imperial College London and microbiologist Lindsay Hall from the Quadram Institute in Norwich are both on hand to help separate the facts from the fads, to decide if these products really are The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread.Presenter: Greg Foot Producer: Michelle Martin Researcher: Amelia West Studio Managers: Emma Harth, John Boland Editors: Deborah Cohen, Rami TzabarThe Best Thing Since Sliced Bread is a BBC Science Radio Unit Production.

Will activated charcoal, which these days can be found in everything from face creams to smoothies, really purify your pores? Science presenter and YouTuber Greg Foot is on a mission to bust marketing BS, looking for the facts behind the fads and challenging products’ bold claims with scientific evidence. In the second episode, Greg is joined by actress and beauty blogger Rebecca Humphries, consultant dermatologist Dr Emma Wedgeworth and Cambridge Professor of Chemistry, Melinda Duer to explore the science behind activated charcoal - could it act as a 'magnet' to draw out dirt and pollution from your pores as some products claim?Presenter: Greg Foot Producer: Graihagh Jackson Studio Manager: John Boland Editor: Rami TzabarThe Best Thing Since Sliced Bread is a BBC Science Radio Unit Production

Can collagen face cream reduce wrinkles and make your skin more youthful? Science presenter and YouTuber Greg Foot is on a mission to bust marketing BS, looking for the facts behind the fads and challenging products’ bold claims with scientific evidence. In the first episode, Greg is joined by actress and beauty blogger Rebecca Humphries, consultant dermatologist Dr Emma Wedgeworth and Cambridge Professor of Chemistry, Melinda Duer to explore the science behind collagen face creams – can they really ‘boost’ and ‘support’ collagen production as some products claim?Presenter: Greg Foot Producer: Graihagh Jackson Studio Manager: John Boland Editor: Rami TzabarThe Best Thing Since Sliced Bread is a BBC Science Radio Unit Production

From kombucha to collagen, activated charcoal to sports tape, Greg Foot is on a mission to bust the marketing BS, looking for the facts behind the fads and to challenge a product’s bold claims with scientific evidence.Joined by leading experts and friends from the world of podcasting and social media, Greg investigates the latest crazes to hit the high street to work out if these wonder products really are the best thing since sliced bread. (all subject to updates)