23 Jun How cheesemaking could cook up an antidote for alcohol excess
A gel made from a milk protein reduces alcohol levels in the blood of intoxicated mice....
06 Apr Bottled water: microplastics and nanoplastics
John Weaver, Chairman of the South African National Bottled Water Association (SANBWA) adds some perspective to the noise that's resounding around the issues of micro- and nano plastics....
21 Feb The caffeine-quitting trend…
Caffeine is the most consumed psychoactive substance globally. But even people who only consume a cup of coffee or tea daily may feel adverse effects This is why a growing number of people are deciding to give up caffeine...
20 Feb Soda brands are adding fibre — what could go wrong?
They’re not healthy — just healthier than soda (which isn’t that hard to be)....
05 Feb MYRKL no-morning-after supplement launches in SA
MYRKL, a groundbreaking pre-drinking supplement that's created waves in the international market - offering a novel approach to enjoy imbibing without the morning-after effects - is now available locally.
15 Jan Is your reusable water bottle disgusting? Here’s what some experts advise…
Microbiologists have compared the bottles to a portable Petri dish if not looked after.....
04 Dec Getting closer to the causes of red wine headache
For centuries red wine has been thought to trigger headaches more than other drinks, and it has been unclear exactly why - some new research has come up with a new probability...
12 Nov How is decaf coffee made? And is it really caffeine-free?
Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world, and its high levels of caffeine are among the main reasons why. It’s a natural stimulant that provides an energy buzz, and we just can’t get enough.
19 Sep Brain chemical affects how women taste alcohol, changes drinking habits
Researchers have identified a brain chemical that makes alcohol taste bitter to women...
03 Sep A fruit fly has landed in your wine – is it OK to drink?
You pour a chilled glass of your favourite cab sav and are about to take a sip when a fruit fly lands in it. The fly is clearly dead. But given what you know about where flies hang out, you wonder if it’s safe to drink.
17 Jul Should I give up Diet Coke? With aspartame under suspicion, an addict speaks
While this correspondent's consumption is not on the level of Donald Trump’s, she’s still concerned about its possible links to cancer. Here's a great exploration of the history of diet drinks, why more women drink them, and whether it's prudent to stop.
15 Jul Why a cancer scare around aspartame is mostly unfounded
Lovers of Diet Coke have little to fear....
14 Jul Coffee’s brain-boosting effect goes beyond caffeine
Coffee's ability to boost alertness is commonly attributed to caffeine, but new research suggests there may be other underlying mechanisms that explain this effect.
14 Jul Aspartame is safe within specific limits – WHO says
Conflicting information from two groups at the health organization is likely to sow further confusion over whether it’s safe to consume the sugar alternative used in many thousands of products globally.
09 Feb New UK study finds ‘huge’ differences in high street coffee caffeine totals
Which? Magazine survey finds some high-street coffee brands have enough caffeine in them to wake the dead.
03 Feb PODCAST: How alternatives to alcohol could save lives
This Economist podcast explores how innovators are dreaming up ways to enjoy the effects of alcohol, without the costs
22 Jan Bad hangovers? Why genetics, personality and coping mechanisms can make a difference
After a good night out you may not be surprised when you wake up feeling rough the next morning. But what may surprise you is if your friends aren’t feeling the same way.
15 Sep Link between traditional beer, storage of maize and oesophageal cancer in the Eastern Cape revealed
Umqombothi traditional beer, coupled with a maize-based diet — where maize is not stored properly — may be the leading cause of oesophageal cancer in the Eastern Cape. This is according to the latest findings of researchers at Walter Sisulu University, East London.
28 Jul Meet Myrkl, a new anti-hangover pill
A new anti-hangover supplement - using probiotics - has just gone on sale in various parts of the world. It is marketed by its Swedish maker as Myrkl - pronounced Miracle - as “the pre-drinking pill that works”. But does it?
24 Feb Green rooibos tea’s anxiety-busting properties
Yet more good news on rooibos tea's health properties - with new research showing that, specifically, unfermented or green rooibos may help reduce anxiety.