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Not a fruit lover, but eat plenty of veggies? Ever wondered if skipping that banana might actually matter? We all know a mix of fruit and vegetables is key to a long, healthy life. Norman and Tegan dig into whether eating little or no fruit could actually be bad for you. References: What exactly is a tomato? The difference between fruit and veg - ABC NewsKey statistics and data about child and adult consumption of fruit and vegetables - Australian Bureau of StatisticsFresh fruit consumption and all-cause and cause-specific mortality: findings from the China Kadoorie Biobank  Fruit consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes: results from three prospective longitudinal cohort studies Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Mortality: Results from Two Prospective Cohort Studies of US Men and Women and a Meta-Analysis of 26 Cohort Studies The global burden of disease attributable to suboptimal fruit and vegetable intake, 1990-2021: a systematic analysis of the global burden of disease study Fruit and vegetable consumption and all-cause mortality: evidence from a large Australian cohort study A basket of new fruit varieties is coming your way – The Economist Releasing a sugar brake generates sweeter tomato without yield penaltyIf you enjoyed this episode, check these out! What's the best time of day to exercise?Is whitening your teeth bad for you?What are the health benefits of coffee?

If you’re into skincare, you’ve probably been advertised light therapy face masks. These high-tech hockey masks promise to plump up or heal your skin through light – often red, but sometimes yellow, green, blue or even purple. Norman and Tegan go through the rainbow to assess where there's evidence, and where there's not. References: Sweaty sauna bathing for better health - What's That Rash?Near Infrared Photoimmunotherapy: A Review of Recent Progress and Their Target Molecules for Cancer TherapyEffect of NASA Light-Emitting Diode Irradiation on Wound HealingVisible Red Light Emitting Diode Photobiomodulation for Skin Fibrosis: Key Molecular PathwaysUtilization of light-emitting diodes for skin therapy: Systematic review and meta-analysisPhotodynamic Therapy Using HMME for Port-Wine Stains: Clinical Effectiveness and Sonographic AppearanceEffect of Blue Light on Acne Vulgaris: A Systematic ReviewThe efficacy of violet light in the treatment of acneFeatured review: What are the benefits and risks of light therapy for treating atopic eczema?Light therapy for preventing seasonal affective disorderThis episode first aired on December 18, 2024. 

What determines whether you’re right or left handed? Is there really such a thing as being ambidextrous? It’s a surprisingly complicated story, and culture comes into play – some people are forced to go against their dominant hand. Norman and Tegan parse through the history of handedness in this live recording at the World Science Festival Brisbane. References: A large-scale population study of early life factors influencing left-handedness The handedness of Kerrs and CarrsThe association between switching hand preference and the declining prevalence of left-handedness with ageStuttering and “Retraining” Left-Handed Children in Mid-Century U.S. Can training to become ambidextrous improve brain function?  Brain Size Associated with Foot Preferences in Australian Parrots The Influence of Handedness on the Clinical Presentation and Neuropsychology of Alzheimer DiseaseIf you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Can sudoku really keep your brain younger for longer?Should you train cardio and strength on the same day?The four steps you need to form a habit

Headaches are common, but the causes are wide and varied, and some are more serious than others.  Why do we get headaches? What's the difference between a headache and a migraine? Norman and Tegan talk through some basics about headaches, and why a round of squats might help... References: The Science Behind Headaches: What's Really Happening In Your Skull The vascular theory of migraine—a great story wrecked by the factsTwelve-month efficacy of CGRP monoclonal antibodies and predictive value of short-term response: results of an Australian multicentre study Trial of Galcanezumab in Prevention of Episodic Cluster HeadacheErenumab for Chronic Cluster Headache: A Randomized Clinical TrialEffect of Exercise on Chronic Tension-Type Headache and Chronic Migraine: A Systematic ReviewThe effect of different exercise types on migraine frequency in individuals with migraine: A pilot studyIf you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Am I addicted to caffeine?Is emu oil the new snake oil?There's a lot of fog around brain fog

We've all probably wished for a way to achieve our fitness goals without the strain and sweat that can come with exercise. So what if you could lose weight, gain muscle and improve circulation just by standing on a vibrating platform? Norman and Tegan buzz through the evidence for and against vibration plates and so called "passive exercise". References: Dr Gustav Zander’s Victorian-Era Exercise Machines Made the Bowflex Look Like Child’s PlayThe effects of whole body vibration therapy on reducing fat mass in the adult general population: A systematic review and meta-analyses Whole-body vibration administered during a 3-week in-hospital multidisciplinary body weight reduction program increases resting energy expenditure in obese adolescents, a randomized clinical trial Immediate effects of localized vibration on flexibility: A randomized crossover trial Effects of whole body vibration with exercise therapy versus exercise therapy alone on flexibility, vertical jump height, agility and pain in athletes with patellofemoral pain: a randomized clinical trial Whole Body Vibration as an Adjunct to Static StretchingWhole-Body Vibration Stimulates Microvascular Blood Flow in Skeletal Muscle Whole body vibration training improves leg blood flow and adiposity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus Effects of Whole-Body Vibration Training on Lower Limb Blood Flow in Children with Myelomeningocele—A Randomized Trial Effect of localised vibration on muscle strength in healthy adults: a systematic review Whole-body vibration training improves muscle mass and strength in older adults through intra- and extra-muscular pathways The effect of whole body vibration training on quadriceps voluntary activation level of people with age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia): a randomized pilot study Hormonal responses to a single session of wholebody vibration exercise in older individualsHormonal and Metabolic Responses to Whole Body Vibration in Healthy Adults Low-frequency vibrotherapy considerably improves the effectiveness of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) in patients with lipedema: A two-armed, randomized, controlled pragmatic trial Efficacy of whole body vibration exercise in older people: a systematic review If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Can you zap yourself buff with electrical muscle stimulation?Do the benefits of creatine go beyond the gym?Do healthy people need lymphatic treatments?

Snail slime, or snail mucin, has become a popular product in skin care. Some claim it has anti-ageing properties, but if the early research shakes out, snail mucus could have even more significant uses. Norman and Tegan discuss why snail gunk has become a hero of cosmetics, and what else it might be capable of. References: Why Snail Mucin? Or, How This Ancient Practice Became a Skin Care SensationChemical composition, mineral profile, anti-bacterial, and wound healing properties of snail slime of Helix aspersa Müller Extraction, structure, pharmacological activities and applications of polysaccharides and proteins isolated from snail mucusAntimicrobial Activities of Different Fractions from Mucus of the Garden Snail Cornu aspersumAntimicrobial efficacy of Egyptian Eremina desertorum and Helix aspersa snail mucus with a novel approach to their anti-inflammatory and wound healing potenciesReviewing The Potential of Snail Extract to Accelerate and Improve Burn Wound Healing: A Literature Review HelixComplex snail mucus exhibits pro-survival, proliferative and pro-migration effects on mammalian fibroblastsThe efficacy of Helix aspersa Müller extract in the healing of partial thickness burns: A novel treatment for open burn management protocolsHelix aspersa maxima mucus exhibits antimelanogenic and antitumoral effects against melanoma cells849 Snail mucus increases the anti-cancer activity of anti-PD-L1 antibody in melanoma Snail Mucus Enhances Chemosensitivity of Triple-negative Breast Cancer Via Activation of the Fas PathwaySnails and Skin: A Systematic Review on the Effects of Snail-based Products on Skin HealthFrom Nature to Nurture: The Science and Applications of Snail Slime in Health and BeautyArtificial Snail Mucus Could Advance Cancer Treatments – Johns Hopkins UniversityIf you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Does anti-ageing skincare actually work?Should you be avoiding perfumes and fragrances?What we do (and don't) know about tinnitus

Walking down the street, most people you pass will be wearing headphones or ear buds. Chances are you are too! But is this trend of noise-cancelling harming your ears or the way your brain processes sound? Norman and Tegan sound out the evidence on headphone use and hearing damage, and what you can do to protect your ears. References: Know Your Noise - National Acoustic LaboratoriesPumping loud music is putting more than 1 billion young people at risk of hearing loss - University of Melbourne A Partial History of Headphones - Smithsonian Prevalence and global estimates of unsafe listening practices in adolescents and young adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis Hearing thresholds, tinnitus, and headphone listening habits in nine-year-old children Do Noise-Cancelling Headphones Help or Hurt Hearing? - University of ColoradoTips for safe listening using headphones and earbuds – Hearing Australia  If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Is there such thing as TOO much sun protection?Is there a cure for jet lag?Don’t Die: Is Bryan Johnson going to live forever?

Many people believe that taking vitamin C supplements helps their immune system fight off colds. But there are even bigger claims attached to this supplement – that it not only boosts immunity, but fights cancer. Norman and Tegan introduce us to the Nobel laureate who pushed these theories decades ago, and whether there’s any truth to them. References: The Discovery of Vitamin C Treatment for scurvy not discovered by LindLinus Pauling’s Vitamin C CrusadeAscorbic Acid in Cancer Treatment: Let the Phoenix FlyA randomized trial of pharmacological ascorbate, gemcitabine, and nab-paclitaxel for metastatic pancreatic cancerThe Role of Vitamin C in Cancer Prevention and Therapy: A Literature Review High-dose vitamin C: A promising anti-tumor agent, insight from mechanisms, clinical research, and challenges Vitamin C reduces the severity of common colds: a meta-analysis Two Faces of Vitamin C—Antioxidative and Pro-Oxidative Agent Vitamin C - Australian Institute of SportVitamin C – EatforHealth.gov.au If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Multivitamins: Are they a scam?Can consuming dairy really give you acne?Is sitting the new smoking?

Unless you're in certain corners of the internet, you won't be aware of the peptide craze promising to grow your muscles and slow ageing. That's because your average GP won't be printing a prescription for these injectable drugs, like BPC-157 or melanotan. Norman and Tegan discuss why there's so much fan fare over unproven peptides with some potentially nasty side effects. References: Effects of Topical Copper Tripeptide Complex on CO2 Laser–Resurfaced Skin Don’t risk using tanning products containing melanotan - TGAMelanotan‐associated melanomaMelanotan II: a possible cause of renal infarction: review of the literature and case reportMelanotan II: a possible cause of renal infarction: review of the literature and case reportMelanotan-induced priapism: a hard-earned tan – BMJ case studyBPC-157: Experimental peptide prohibited - US Anti-Doping AuthorityEffect of BPC-157 on Symptoms in Patients with Interstitial Cystitis: A Pilot StudySafety of Intravenous Infusion of BPC157 in Humans: A Pilot StudyIntra-Articular Injection of BPC 157 for Multiple Types of Knee PainGeneral practitioner disqualified for inappropriately prescribing peptidesIf you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Can collagen supplements keep your skin supple?Should you be flexible enough to touch your toes?Can you zap yourself buff with electrical muscle stimulation?

Your dentist might be nagging you to floss to avoid cavities, but does flossing have more to given than pearly whites? Interdental cleaning has been recommended for a while, but for many people it’s a habit hard to maintain. Norman and Tegan pick through the history of flossing, and whether it can improve your heart and brain health too. Terms and conditions of our World Science Festival Brisbane ticket giveaway!  References: Ask the Expert: Do I Really Need to Floss? - NIH Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling periodontal diseases and dental cariesFlossing Is Associated with Improved Oral Health in Older Adults Does flossing before or after brushing influence the reduction in the plaque index? A systematic review and meta-analysisWhy would cardiovascular disease and poor oral health be connected? - Harvard Health Oral health and later coronary heart disease: Cohort study of one million peopleStronger connections made between oral health and Alzheimer's disease Large study links gum disease with dementia What Dentists Have to Say About Red-Light Therapy for Optimal Oral Health If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! How risky is sharing a toothbrush?Should you be avoiding perfumes and fragrances?Do healthy people need lymphatic treatments?

With endless entertainment at your fingertips on your phone, how often do you really sit and do absolutely nothing? It turns out that even when you’re staring into the middle distance, your brain is firing away with activity. Norman and Tegan explore why giving your brain a break might be important for learning and creativity. References: The Journey of the Default Mode Network: Development, Function, and Impact on Mental Health Default-mode brain dysfunction in mental disorders: A systematic review  Just think: The challenges of the disengaged mind - Science The Importance of the Default Mode Network in Creativity—A Structural MRI Study  The Importance of the Default Mode Network in Creativity—A Structural MRI Study  People are increasingly bored in our digital ageIf you enjoyed this episode, check these out! What is the perfect nap duration?Can tattoos increase your risk of cancer?Why are people taping their mouths?

How many times a week are you eating fish? What about oily fish, like salmon and tuna? Our dietary guidelines recommend the regular consumption of fish to potentially reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia and even macular degeneration. Norman and Tegan dig into the oily history of fish, and whether supplements can have the same effect. References: The Man with a Fish on His Back: In the late 19th century cod-liver oil was proclaimed the cure for many ailments"Fishing" for the origins of the "Eskimos and heart disease" story: facts or wishful thinking?Omega-3 Fatty Acids - National Institutes of HealthThe relationship between polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammation: evidence from cohort and Mendelian randomization analysesOmega‐3 fatty acids for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseaseRegular use of fish oil supplements and course of cardiovascular diseases: prospective cohort studyAssociations Between Plasma Omega-3 and Fish Oil Use With Risk of Atrial Fibrillation in the UK BiobankAssociations of fish oil supplementation with incident dementia: Evidence from the UK Biobank cohort studyOmega-3 Fatty Acids for the Management of Osteoarthritis: A Narrative Review Omega 3 fatty acids for preventing or slowing the progression of age‐related macular degenerationOmega-3 fatty acids for depression in adultsFish-Oil Supplementation and Cardiovascular Events in Patients Receiving HemodialysisIf you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Why is everyone suddenly talking about seed oils?Does magnesium work against muscle cramps?Why is the internet telling me to lower my cortisol?

It’s so common to tell kids to wait an hour after eating to swim that many of us never question it. But what are the actual consequences of jumping straight back in the pool after you’ve had your lunch? Norman and Tegan tackle whether this advice is grounded in evidence, and discuss what you should actually avoid. References: Scouting for boys - 1908The International Lifesaving Federation medical position statement 2014 Effect of food consumption on 200-yard freestyle swim performanceThe National Drowning Report 2025 Monday’s medical myth: wait 30 minutes after eating before you swim – the Conversation If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Does magnesium work against muscle cramps? Why do you feel so tired after a big meal?Is being an Olympian bad for your health?

Last year Norman made the shocking statement that people shouldn’t retire because it’ll be bad for their brains. After an influx of requests, we’ve looked at the evidence not only when it comes to brain health, but heart health, metabolic health and mental wellbeing. Norman and Tegan unpack the complex story of what happens to your brain and body when you retire – depending on the job you had. References: How Retirement Was Invented: The earliest schemes for financial support in old age were pegged to life expectancy Towards higher retirement incomes for Australians: a history of the Australian retirement income system since Federation Impact of retirement transition on health, well-being and health behaviours: critical insights from an overview of reviews Effect of retirement on cognitive function: the Whitehall II cohort study Retirement or no Retirement? The Decision’s Effects on Cognitive Functioning, Well-Being, and Quality of LifeRisk of Cognitive Declines With Retirement: Who Declines and Why?The Impact of Retirement on Cardiovascular Disease and Its Risk Factors: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal StudiesRetirement and mental health: Analysis of the Australian national survey of mental health and well-beingThe Effects of Retirement on Sense of Purpose in Life: Crisis or Opportunity?The Role of Meaning in the Retirement Transition: Scoping ReviewLife after work: how we can support retirees – R U OK? If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Is NAD+ a miracle anti-ageing supplement?At-home DNA tests — what can they tell you?How much protein do you REALLY need?

A few weeks into the new year you might be reassessing your resolutions and wondering where to put your energy.  Is it possible to choose between diet or exercise? Or are the two inherently intertwined? Norman and Tegan try to untangle the untangleable, pitting diet and exercise against one another in different arenas.  References: The history of nutritional sciences Casimir Funk: The scientist who gave us the word 'vitamin' How the Seven Countries Study contributed to the definition and development of the Mediterranean diet concept: A 50-year journey Coronary Heart Disease and Physical Activity of WorkLong-term effectiveness of diet-plus-exercise interventions vs. diet-only interventions for weight loss: a meta-analysis Efficacy of dietary intervention or in combination with exercise on primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: A systematic review Diet or diet plus physical activity versus usual care in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes: the Early ACTID randomised controlled trial Trading off dietary choices, physical exercise and cardiovascular disease risks If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Why Norman won't shut up about the Mediterranean dietWhy the carnivore diet is so riskyIs botox worth a shot?