The truth about emulsifiers: are they destroying our gut health?

The E numbers in food make bread softer and ice-cream silkier. But there is growing concern about how they might affect our microbiome

The truth about inflammation: all you need to know about 2023’s hottest health topic, from causes to cures

Inflammation is the scourge of modern life, judging by all the supplements, workouts and diets that promise to fight it. But what precisely gets inflamed, and why – and is it always a bad thing?

I’m stressing about ultra-processed foods, when the real worry is that many people can’t afford a healthy diet

Cutting out junk food and eating 30 plants a week is a great idea. But until the food industry is better regulated, it’s out of reach for a large swathe of the population, writes Emma Beddington

Anyone who goes to a beach already has a ‘beach body’. Don’t strive for an illusion

Instead of falling for fitness and diet fads, focus on the things that will bring you true health and happiness this summer, says public health academic Devi Sridhar

Do you have a ‘salt tooth’? How to recognise it – and feed your cravings healthily

We all know what a sweet tooth is, but some people also hanker for salt. Here’s what to do if you can’t stop dreaming of crisps

Apple cider vinegar: the ultimate panacea – or wildly overhyped?

It has been said to kill E coli, reduce cholesterol, lower blood sugar and aid weight loss. But not all health experts are convinced of its powers

Tea, apples and berries could stave off age-related memory loss, study suggests

Research found 71-year-olds with high flavanol consumption had better memory function

Should I worry about eating too many takeaways?

We all know they tend to be full of salt, sugar and additives – but when does an occasional treat become an unhealthy habit? We separate the fat from the fiction

‘I was sick with pain – but doctors thought I was a hypochondriac’: the spreading agony of kidney stones

Up to one in 10 of us will get kidney stones, according to the NHS. Even teenagers are at risk from what was long seen as an older man’s affliction. Why – and what can we do to prevent them?

Should I worry about skipping breakfast?

Some claim it is the most important meal of the day, while others believe fasting has its benefits. What does the science say?