Sliced Bread

Latest Episodes:

Sliced Bread - Series 15: Ergonomic Keyboards and Mice May 14, 2026

Show notes

Do ergonomic devices like split keyboards and vertical mice help with comfort and health?

If you're a heavy computer user there are an increasing variety of weird and wonderful options to help improve your comfort and reduce the risk of aches and pains associated with 'Repetitive Strain Injury' (RSI).

Listener Tim is curious whether ergonomic tools—such as split keyboards, alternative layouts, or vertical mice—could optimise his professional setup as a software engineer.

To find out, presenter Greg Foot does a deep-dive into the evidence alongside Nichola Adams, from the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors; and Ben Vallack, who runs a YouTube channel all about workflow and design.

And if you're interested in this topic, we have a companion episode on Standing Desks - available along with all our other episodes on BBC Sounds.

All of our episodes start with YOUR suggestions. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.

RESEARCHER: PHIL SANSOM PRODUCERS: SIMON HOBAN AND GREG FOOT

Sliced Bread - Series 15: Vibration Plates May 07, 2026

Show notes

Can Vibration Plates help with fitness, bone density, and even lymphatic drainage?

They've been around for a while but vibration plates seem to be having another 'moment'. Originally touted as a piece of fitness kit for the gym or home, the latest ads on social media seem to be promoting claims around benefits to bone density and lymphatic drainage.

Listeners Natasha and Steve got in touch wanting to know whether all this could really be true of a single wonder product! To find out, presenter Greg Foot is joined by Dr Claire Minshull, a sports rehabilitation expert, and Professor Neil Mansfield, author of the book 'Human Response to Vibration'.

RESEARCHER: PHIL SANSOM PRODUCERS: SIMON HOBAN AND GREG FOOT

Sliced Bread - Series 15: Hair Removal Devices Apr 30, 2026

Show notes

Can Intense Pulsed Light devices really "zap" away your unwanted hair?

You may have seen IPL devices advertised on social media - that promise painless hair removal using light to "zap" away body hair.

Listener Karen got in touch to ask if these "Zappers" could possibly free her from having to shave her legs in the summer? How are they supposed to work, are they safe to use, and is it worth the investing in one?

To find out, Greg Foot is joined by Dr Gill Westgate, a skin and hair biologist and honorary visiting lecturer at the University of Bradford.

RESEARCHER: PHIL SANSOM

PRODUCERS: KATE HOLDSWORTH AND GREG FOOT

Sliced Bread - Series 15: Infrared Saunas Apr 23, 2026

Show notes

Are infrared saunas as effective as traditional ones?

If you've ever sat sweating on a wooden bench in a traditional ('Finnish') sauna wondering if there was an easier way, could infrared be the answer? Infrared saunas work at lower temperatures, ostensibly making it easier to stay in there for longer. Listener Paul got in touch after trying one and wants to know if infrared saunas give you the same purported benefits as traditional ones.

Those claims include: improved cardiovascular health, weight loss, longevity and even benefits to mental health and depression. But what's the evidence and does it amount to a load of hot air?

To get the answers, Greg Foot is joined by Professor Chris Minson, an expert in the effects of heat on the body who's carried out research on infrared saunas.

RESEARCHER: PHIL SANSOM PRODUCERS: SIMON HOBAN AND GREG FOOT

Sliced Bread - Series 15: Earwax Removers Apr 16, 2026

Show notes

Almost everyone is guilty of fiddling with their ears, especially if they can feel a build-up of earwax in there. But what actually works to get rid of it, and should we be messing with them in the first place?

Listener Martin got in touch after finding out his earwax build-up was returning - and wanted to know if drops alone would solve his problem, or if he needed to seek professional help to remove it?

Greg Foot speaks to professor of Audiology at Manchester University, NIHR senior Investigator and former chairman of the British Society of Audiology, Kevin Munro - to find out.

RESEARCHER: PHIL SANSOM

PRODUCER: KATE HOLDSWORTH & GREG FOOT

Sliced Bread - Series 15: Collagen (2026 Update) Apr 09, 2026

Show notes

What's the latest on collagen?

The new series of Sliced Bread kicks off with an update on one of the wonder products most-requested by listeners. Presenter Greg Foot first looked at collagen in 2022 and returns to the subject to find out what has changed in the scientific landscape since then. Could there be new evidence that it really can do what the manufacturers claim: rejuvenate skin, nails and hair - and even help with joint and bone health?

To find out, Greg is rejoined by the expert from that original episode four years ago, dermatologist Dr Emma Wedgeworth, alongside Professor Jayne Tierney from University College London who specialises in reviewing evidence.

Together they do a deep-dive on the latest science, including a new study from one of the brands featured in 2022, Absolute Collagen. Does it stand up to scrutiny?

If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk or send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.

Researcher: Phil Sansom Producers: Phil Sansom and Greg Foot

Dough - Series 4: Food Apr 02, 2026

Show notes

What will the food of the future look like? Greg Foot finds out.

Greg Foot, host of BBC Radio 4’s Sliced Bread, returns with Dough — the series exploring the rise of future wonder products that could transform the way we live.

Each episode examines the emerging technologies and innovations poised to shape tomorrow’s world. Greg speaks with experts and entrepreneurs to uncover the trends influencing how today’s everyday essentials might evolve, before a leading futurist offers their predictions for life five, ten and fifty years from now.

This episode explores how our food choices could change as the climate becomes hotter and more volatile. Are we heading towards a menu built around ancient grains, 3D‑printed dishes and AI‑tailored nutrition plans? And where does lab‑grown meat sit — both in terms of public appetite and the rules needed to get it on our plates?

Alongside Greg, tucking in to a taste of the future, is futurist Tom Cheesewright, joined by expert guests including:

- Karina Zimerfeld, the Global Vice President of Research & Development at Mars Food & Nutrition - Charles Banks, Partner & Managing Director of global trends agency The Food People - Owen Ensor, Chief Executive of Meatly

This episode was produced by Linda Walker

Dough is a BBC Audio North Production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

Dough - Series 4: Eyewear Mar 26, 2026

Show notes

Could smart glasses with built-in video cameras become widely accepted?

Greg Foot, host of BBC Radio 4's 'Sliced Bread' brings you 'Dough', examining the rise of future wonder products.

Greg is joined by experts, entrepreneurs and industry innovators to discuss the trends we're seeing today and where they may lead us tomorrow, before a leading futurist offers their predictions on what life might be like within five, ten and fifty years.

This time we’re looking at the future of eyewear - asking whether smart glasses with built-in video cameras might see past previous failures to become widely accepted?

And whether you might soon be wearing smart contact lenses that can not only display websites and messages, but also potentially monitor your eye health?

Greg is joined by the futurist Tracey Follows and guests including:

- Priya Morjaria, Assistant Professor in International Eye Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Head of Global Programme Development at Peek Vision

- Alex Himel, Vice President of Wearables at Meta which is selling smart glasses with embedded artificial intelligence, cameras, microphones and speakers.

- Professor Philip Morgan, Head of Optometry at the University of Manchester

Produced by Jon Douglas. Dough is a BBC Audio North Production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

Dough - Series 4: The Office Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

What will the office be like in future?

Greg Foot, host of BBC Radio 4's 'Sliced Bread' brings you 'Dough', examining the rise of future wonder products.

This time we’re looking at the future of the office - asking whether in years to come, we’ll even need one?

If so, is the ‘conference room’ soon to be a thing of the past, replaced with cafes, comfy chairs, and table tennis tables?

And will our future HQs be home to service robots and AI receptionists?

Greg learns how the Covid-19 pandemic changed office working and the trends transforming the look of high-end office developments. He is joined by the futurist Tom Cheesewright and guests including:

- Professor Matt Davis, University of Leeds - Jane Clay, Strategy Leader and Principal at Gensler which designs and refurbishes buildings around the world - Mike Dalloz, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of The Meeting Pod Company.

Produced by Jon Douglas. Dough is a BBC Audio North Production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Dough - Series 4: Trains Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

Could ticketless travel and satellite connectivity be coming to our rail network?

Greg Foot examines the rise of future wonder products.

He's joined by experts, entrepreneurs and industry innovators to discuss the trends we're seeing today and where they may lead us tomorrow, before a leading futurist offers their predictions on what life might be like within five, ten and fifty years.

In this episode Greg hears how renationalisation, digital signalling, satellite connections, ticketless technology and battery power might transform our trains in the future.

With him is the futurist Tom Cheesewright and guests including:

- Dickon Ross, Editor of Rail Magazine - Maggie Simpson OBE, Director General at the Rail Freight Group - Mike Butler, Director of Rail & Innovation at Clarus Networks

Produced by Jon Douglas. Dough is a BBC Audio North Production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

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