Dough - Series 5: The Future of Gyms

Can plug-in solar panels really power your home?Plug-in solar panels are the latest in green tech, only recently legalised in Britain. Unlike 'rooftop' solar installations - which need wiring in by a professional - these kits are designed to be bought, set up outside, and simply plugged in to a normal socket to start generating power for your home. At least that's what Sliced Bread listener Mark has been hearing. He's seen plenty of Youtubers showing off their setups and wants to know if plug-in solar can save him money.Mark wants to know: how does plug-in solar work? What does he need to get started? Is it safe? And do the panels really pay for themselves?To find out, Greg Foot is joined by Joanna O'Loan, Knowledge Manager for Energy Saving Trust; and Mark Coles, Head of Technical Regulations for the Institution of Engineering and Technology.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 [email protected] OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807. RESEARCHER: JULIA RAVEY PRODUCERS: PHIL SANSOM AND GREG FOOT

Which weather app is the most accurate?Listener Owen keeps running into a problem: he's not sure which weather forecasting app to trust. He and his partner each use different weather apps on their phone, and find they often predict different things. One app says it'll be hotter, another says rainier... it's making them unsure how to plan their days out. Owen wants to know once and for all - which app should he trust, and why?To find out, Greg Foot is joined by with meterologist Dr Rob Thompson from the University of Reading.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 [email protected] OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.RESEARCHER: JULIA RAVEY PRODUCERS: PHIL SANSOM AND GREG FOOT

Are hydrogen water bottles worth the hype?Like listener Liz, you might have seen them on your socials or at your local gym. They promise to help with inflammation, energy, athletic recovery and support mitochondrial health. But is a bottle of fizzing H20 costing more than £100 doing anything more than the regular stuff from your tap? To find out, presenter Greg Foot is joined by Henry Forman, Professor Emeritus of Gerontology at the University of Southern California and Professor of Cell Signalling at the University of the West of England, John Hancock.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 [email protected] OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.RESEARCHER: JULIA RAVEY PRODUCERS: SIMON HOBAN AND GREG FOOT

Which eye drops are best for dry eyes?Listener Carole wakes up each morning with dry, gummed-up eyes. As a result she's built up a small hoard of different eye drops, variously promising to hydrate, soothe, or relieve; and that's only a fraction of the many drops, vials, and ointments out there on the pharmacy shelves. Carole's seen some brands come with premium prices, and others promise to be "preservative-free". She wants to know: are any of them the best thing since sliced bread?To find out, Greg Foot is joined by consultant corneal and cataract surgeon Bita Manzouri and research optometrist at Aston University Dr Sònia Travé Huarte.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 [email protected] OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.RESEARCHER: JULIA RAVEY PRODUCERS: PHIL SANSOM AND GREG FOOT

Can mushroom gummies really sharpen your mind, reduce stress, and boost your energy?Listener Daisy has been seeing adverts for mushroom gummies all over her Instagram. These aren't the psychedelic kind of mushrooms - instead they're gummy sweets containing so-called 'functional mushrooms' such as lion's mane and reishi. The companies promise that taking just two a day will provide all sorts of beneficial effects, and some online posts even hint that they can address symptoms of perimenopause and menopause.But do they actually work?To find out, Greg Foot is joined by Dr. Nicholas Money, mycologist and science writer at Miami University in Ohio; and Dr. Helen Wall, GP and menopause specialist.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 [email protected] OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807. RESEARCHER: JULIA RAVEY PRODUCERS: PHIL SANSOM AND GREG FOOT

What really helps to treat acne?Listener Louise got in touch about a subject that affects thousands of people both physically and emotionally. She experienced acne from her teens into adulthood; and now with a daughter herself, is all too aware of the pressures facing young people through social media.She's keen to find out which of the vast array of over-the-counter treatments work and which ingredients in particular are effective in treating acne.To get the answers, presenter Greg Foot is joined by consultant dermatologist Dr Emma Wedgeworth and founder of the 'Clear' skincare app, Ahana Banarjee.We're back with a new series of Sliced Bread and are hungry for your suggestions of wonder products to put through the evidence mill. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at [email protected] OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.PRESENTER: GREG FOOT PRODUCERS: SIMON HOBAN AND GREG FOOT

Are self-checkouts here to stay or will we soon be paying without scanning or stopping? Greg Foot examines the future of supermarkets and considers wonder products and trends that might rise to success.Greg is joined by experts and entrepreneurs to discuss what is shaping today's everyday technology and what it may look like tomorrow, before the futurist Tom Cheesewright offers his predictions on what supermarkets might be like within five, ten and fifty years.In this episode:-David McIntosh - chief connected stores officer at Instacart which supplies smart trolleys to supermarkets that scan and weigh goods as they are dropped in and display a running basket total.-Nick Carroll - principal strategist for retail at the research insights company Mintel where he helps the UK's biggest retailers understand what's coming next-Anders Eriksson - chief executive of Swegreen which supplies the kit and support for supermarkets to grow their own fruit and vegetables inside their storesAmong the topics up for consideration: What more can be done to stop people from stealing at self-checkouts? Why are printed pricetags disappearing from supermarket shelves? Could smart shopping trolleys steer us to discounts? And might the supermarket of the future not just sell but also grow your produce?Produced by Jon Douglas. Dough is an Audio North production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Could advances in AI help us have conversations with our pets? Will a raccoon or a robot become the pet of the future? Or will or pets be sharing a seat beside us on the plane as we jet off for our next holiday?In this episode of Dough Greg Foot looks at pets and examines the rise of future wonder products.He's joined by experts, entrepreneurs and industry innovators to discuss the trends we'e 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 technology, food innovations and even changes in aviation might transform the future for our pets.With him is the futurist Tracey Follows and guests including;-Professor Daniel Mills: Professor of Veterinary Behavioural Medicine at Lincoln University -Dr Samantha Butler-Davies, MRCVS, veterinary director at Pets at Home and Vets for Pets. -Professor Clara Mancini: Professor of Animal-Computer Interaction and Head of the Animal-Computer Interaction Laboratory at the Open UniversityProduced by Linda Walker and presented by Greg Foot. Dough is a BBC Audio North Production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Is streaming really killing off the big screen? Greg Foot examines the future of cinemas and considers wonder products and trends that might rise to success.Greg is joined by experts and entrepreneurs to discuss what is shaping today's everyday technology and what it may look like tomorrow, before the futurist Tom Cheesewright offers his predictions on what cinemas might be like within five, ten and fifty years.In this episode:- Tim Richards - the founder and CEO of Vue cinemas - Patrick von Sychowski - known in the trade as "the Cinema Guru" he's a writer and blogger who works for CinemaNext, the largest installer and upgrader of cinemas across Europe. - Alexis Scalice - Vice President for Business Development & Entertainment at Cosm which is pioneering 'shared reality' cinematic experiences in large entertainment domesAmong the questions up for consideration: Why are there more cinemas screenings of films from the past? Why are plastic popcorn buckets becoming collectors' items? And could the cinema of the future be a giant, panoramic dome?Produced by Jon Douglas. Dough is an Audio North production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Could weight-loss jabs make gyms less relevant? Greg Foot examines the future of the fitness sector and considers wonder products and trends that might rise to success. Greg is joined by experts and entrepreneurs to discuss what is shaping today's everyday technology and what it may look like tomorrow, before the futurist Tracey Follows offers her predictions on what gyms might be like within five, ten and fifty years.In this episode: Rebecca Passmore - chief operating officer of PureGym Cameron Saunders - chief executive of ukactive Varun Bhanot - co-founder and CEO of Magic AIAmong the questions for consideration: Why are gyms becoming more popular? What might the training equipment of tomorrow look like? Will AI-instructors replace personal trainers?Produced by Jon Douglas. Dough is an Audio North production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.