The Gluten Debate and the Benefits of Chocolate

The Wellness Scoop

Health & Fitness, Society & Culture, Mental Health

4.7 • 4.9K Ratings

🗓️ 30 October 2025

⏱️ 41 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

This week we’re breaking down the truth about two of our favourite topics: bread and chocolate. We unpack the confusion around gluten and gut health, explaining what the science really says about inflammation, how wholegrains and sourdough compare to refined options, and when cutting out wheat is genuinely helpful versus when it’s just another wellness myth. We also explore the surprising benefits of dark chocolate, from its antioxidant-rich polyphenols to its links with mood, cognition and even gut health. Plus, we share a simple digital wellbeing tweak that’s helping listeners spend less time scrolling, and answer your questions on vitamin D, plant diversity and healthy eating on busy days. Recommendations from our amazing listeners Ailsa from Birmingham suggests we try switching our phone screens to black & white. A really simple hack that helps prevent us getting distracted by our phones, by making them less interesting to look at. Find out how you can do it here Hanna recommends True Dates - taste great and full of fibre! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	This episode is sponsored by Guy Dogs, the charity helping people with sight loss live the life they choose.
0:07.2	Exactly. And we have just watched their new short film, Life All In. And honestly, I so recommend it is just so uplifting.
0:16.0	It just shows people with sight loss getting on with their life, cooking, creating, hiking, even ab-sailing,
0:21.8	which was unbelievable. It's just full of energy and joy, empowerment, and it's such a powerful
0:27.4	minder that life is all about taking part, whatever that looks like for you. And I think what
0:32.2	really surprised both of us is how much more there is to guide dogs than, you know, just guide dogs, I suppose.
0:38.5	Even those little furry heroes, they're just so incredible, Ella, they're just so gorgeous.
0:43.8	And as you said, Rie, I think they're doing so much more than what we probably all think.
0:47.1	They're also helping with everything from mobility training and confidence building to tech
0:51.7	support and even children's services.
0:54.1	It really is all about giving people the tools and confidence to to tech support and even children's services. It really is all about giving
0:55.3	people the tools and confidence to live independently and do the things that they love. So important.
1:00.7	It really is. And the amazing thing is that anybody can help. So you can all get involved by donating
1:05.7	or volunteering or even sponsoring a puppy, which let's be honest, it does sound pretty irresistible, Ella.
1:12.4	I would love to do that.
1:13.6	Exactly.
1:14.2	So if you would also like to see the film or find out how you can support their incredible work,
1:18.4	just head to guidedogs.org.
1:20.8	com.
1:21.7	Yeah, that's guidedogs.org.
1:23.3	Because everyone deserves to live the life that they choose.
1:27.2	This episode is sponsored by Simprove, one of the UK's number one gut health supplements.
	...

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