How often has this happened with you- you've just finished your meal, feeling totally full, yet in a couple of minutes you find yourself forking a piece of cake or a bowl of ice cream. Regardless of how full you are, dessert always manages to sneak in. But is there some kind of scientific reason behind it? Yes.

This phenomenon, referred to as sensory-specific satiety, is why individuals who feel stuffed after finishing their main course are still able to enjoy dessert. Sensory-specific satiety is a decreased enjoyment experienced from one form of food upon repeated consumption. But with a new taste or texture added—the example of chocolate cake with rich flavor following a meal with an earthy or salty taste—the brain's motivation for consuming more is revived and allows space for dessert.

One reason why individuals finish a meal is that they're bored with the food; they've consumed it [and] there's nothing more to stimulate them, but if you add a different flavor, odor, or even texture to the equation, it's simple to get past feeling full.

Scientific research backs this theory. In a 2011 experiment conducted by Epstein, scientists tested how often individuals would consume macaroni and cheese through exposure. Those who consumed mac and cheese every day ate less over time than those who consumed it once a week. A 2013 follow-up experiment discovered that the children who had been offered numerous energy-dense foods, i.e., chicken nuggets, cheeseburgers, and mac and cheese versions from various manufacturers, consumed more than those to whom only a single food offering was provided. The same dynamic occurs when one eats a savory meal and is then offered an enticing sweet dessert.

Brain's Role in Making Room for Dessert

Your feeling of fullness is not solely a matter of stomach capacity; it is determined to a great extent by the brain. The brain compartmentalizes various foods separately, so that a meal consisting of a lot of protein and carbohydrates will be filling, but the idea of a sweet treat still appears appealing. Your brain, and not your stomach, tells you that you've had enough of a specific type of food—but if a different food comes along, it rekindles your desire to eat.

This is the reason why buffets lead to overeating. The diversity of foods—salty, sweet, crunchy, creamy—keeps your mind active, so you end up consuming more than you would under normal circumstances. This is also the reason why dessert is so irresistible, even when you believe you are full.

Evolutionary Advantage of a Sweet Tooth

Evolutionarily, humans had a desire for variety in the diet so that they would ingest a variety of necessary nutrients. This desire for variety allowed early humans to gain needed vitamins, minerals, and proteins from a variety of foods. Although today's diets make these nutrients readily available, the habituated need for variety persists, which is why it feels so good to switch from savory to sweet.

In addition, sugar has a special place in human physiology. Our brains are programmed to crave sugar because it gives us a rapid energy fix, which was essential for survival in the early days. Today's easy access to sugar has turned it into more of an indulgence than a requirement, leading to overindulgence in sweets.

How to Manage Your Dessert Cravings

Although having dessert is a pleasurable treat, it's essential to find balance, particularly in an age where excessive sugar intake is associated with obesity, diabetes, and other health issues. These are some tips for containing your sweet tooth without getting carried away:

Practice Mindful Eating: Rather than habitually going for dessert, pause and question whether you really need it or if you're reacting out of habit.

Choose Healthier Options: Indulge your sweet tooth with naturally sweet foods such as fruit, dark chocolate, or yogurt-based desserts.

Restrict Variety: When eating at a restaurant or buffet, avoid filling your plate with too many flavors that can keep your brain occupied in constant eating.

Drink Plenty of Water: At times, what we think is a craving for sweets is actually mild dehydration.

Slow Down: Eating at a fast rate can cause eating too much. Enjoying dessert and your main meal in modest amounts can restrain portion sizes.

If ever you've chuckled about having a 'dessert stomach,' we now know there's some merit to it based on science. Sensory-specific satiety and the mind's desire for variety are behind why we most often make time for sweets after a big meal. Although eating dessert is a delicious indulgence, healthy eating habits can make you savor sweets without damaging your health. So the next time you crave dessert following a rich meal, remember that it's not the absence of willpower—it's biology in action.

Folklore has long suggested that a hot toddy, the warm alcoholic drink made with hot water, lemon juice, honey, and spirits such as whiskey, rum, or brandy, can ease a sore throat or help clear congestion caused by a winter cold. Many people swear by it. But what exactly is a hot toddy, and how does it work when you are dealing with cold and congestion?

What Is A Hot Toddy?

Hot toddy is a popular winter drink, especially during colder months. It is a traditional mix of whiskey or rum, hot water, honey, lemon, and warming spices like cinnamon or cloves. The drink helps warm the body, offers comfort in chilly weather, and may support the body during seasonal illnesses such as colds and flu.

Each ingredient plays a role. Honey is known for its natural antibacterial properties, while lemon provides vitamin C to support immune health. Alcohol acts as a mild vasodilator, which helps improve blood flow, and spices aid digestion while easing congestion. Together, these elements make hot toddy a soothing, natural option for winter discomfort.

That said, moderation is key. One serving, or at most two, especially in the evening, may help with sleep, stress, congestion, sore throat, and general discomfort. Below are some potential health benefits of drinking a hot toddy during winter.

Hot Toddy Health Benefits

1. Soothes Sore Throat and Cough

A hot toddy can feel deeply comforting when your throat is irritated during winter. The heat from the water, combined with honey, helps coat the throat and calm inflamed tissues. This can ease irritation caused by dry air or colds. Honey’s antibacterial qualities support healing, while lemon adds vitamin C to help the immune system. A small amount of whiskey or rum may further relax throat muscles, making coughing and swallowing less uncomfortable.

2. Boosts Immunity During Winter

Winter often brings frequent infections, but a hot toddy may help strengthen the body’s natural defences. Vitamin C from lemon supports white blood cells that fight viruses common in colder months. Honey provides antioxidants and enzymes that assist overall immunity. The warmth of the drink increases circulation, helping immune cells move efficiently through the body. Spices such as cinnamon or ginger offer anti-inflammatory benefits that may reduce the risk of infection. Having this drink before bedtime can support the body during seasonal changes.

3. Relieves Congestion and Clears Sinuses

Blocked noses are a common winter complaint, often caused by cold air outside and dry heating indoors. The steam from a hot toddy can help loosen mucus in the sinuses and nasal passages. Lemon’s acidity may help break down phlegm, while alcohol slightly widens blood vessels, which can ease congestion. Slowly inhaling the vapour can help open airways and make breathing more comfortable.

4. Warms You Inside Out

Few things fight winter chills better than a warm drink. Hot toddy raises your core temperature, helping warmth spread through the body. Alcohol encourages better circulation, especially to hands and feet that often feel cold. Ingredients like ginger or cloves add a warming effect by gently increasing metabolic heat.

5. Relaxation and Better Sleep

Winter stress, shorter days, and busy schedules can interfere with sleep. A hot toddy in moderation may help the body relax. Alcohol has a calming effect that can slow mental activity and ease restlessness. Honey may help stabilise blood sugar levels overnight, reducing sleep interruptions. The warmth of the drink also signals the body to wind down and prepare for rest.

Can A Hot Toddy Help With A Cold?

There is no cure for the common cold. Most people manage symptoms through home remedies and over-the-counter medicines. Honey is known for its anti-inflammatory effects, and lemon contains antioxidants that support health. However, no scientific studies have directly proven that hot toddies treat colds.

That said, according to Medical News Today, many people believe that a hot toddy can help ease common cold symptoms, including:

• runny nose
• sore throat
• sneezing
• fever
• body aches
• headache
• fatigue
• cough

While it may not cure a cold, a hot toddy can offer comfort and temporary relief during the winter months when used responsibly.

A young man walked into a hospital with two worrying symptoms that had been bothering him for nearly two weeks. His eyes had turned yellow and his urine had grown unusually dark. These are classic warning signs of jaundice, often linked to liver trouble. Naturally, doctors began running tests.

He had already consulted two doctors before reaching out to The Liver Doc, @theliverdr on Instagram, Dr Cyriac Abby Phillips, hepatologist and clinician scientist, who shared this case study on his Instagram post. Blood tests for common causes of acute hepatitis came back negative. Viral markers were clear. Autoimmune conditions were ruled out. Scan after scan showed nothing definitive. Despite extensive investigations, no one could pinpoint the cause.

When he finally The LiverDoc, even his team found themselves stuck.

A Simple Question Changed Everything

As Dr Philips later wrote in his post, the breakthrough came not from a scan or a lab report, but from a conversation. Almost as a last attempt, the team asked the patient a simple question. Had he changed anything recently in his diet?

The young man paused and then mentioned something that seemed harmless at first. He had started drinking coffee a few weeks earlier.

Coffee? That did not raise alarms immediately. As Dr Philips often points out in his posts, regular coffee is actually known to be protective for the liver. It does not cause jaundice.

But then came the detail that made everyone stop. It was not regular coffee. It was “Chinese coffee” given to him by his roommate.

Not All Coffee Is Coffee

When asked to show the product, the patient shared a photo. Dr Philips, a coffee lover himself, immediately realized this was not coffee at all. It was Chinese herbal coffee, specifically a product labelled as Jasmine Black Coffee, sold as an instant powder drink.

After what Dr Philips described as a “whodunit-style investigation,” the cause finally became clear. The young man had been drinking this herbal coffee for a week, about two to three cups a day, just before his symptoms began. Along with jaundice, he had severe itching of his hands and feet, another sign of liver injury.

The Hidden Danger Behind “Jasmine”

True jasmine plants, commonly used for flavoring teas, are generally safe in small amounts. But as Dr Philips explained in his post, several toxic plants are also casually referred to as “jasmine.”

These include Night-blooming jasmine, Yellow jessamine, and Star jasmine, all of which can cause serious toxicity. Some contain compounds that behave like vitamin D in the body, leading to dangerous calcium overload. This can damage not just the liver, but also the heart and kidneys.

Why Herbal Coffees Are Risky

The biggest concern, according to Dr Philips, is that these herbal coffees and teas are largely unregulated. There is no reliable way for consumers to know which plant species or plant parts are actually used. Health claims are made freely, but safety testing is often missing.

His advice is clear and direct. Stay away from advertised “exotic herbal drinks.” They are neither proven safe nor proven beneficial, and the risk to your liver may be far greater than you realize.

A simple drink costing just 22p per serving could benefit your heart. Recent research suggests that orange juice may help reduce blood pressure and inflammation, which are two major risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular Disease: A Growing Concern In The UK

Cardiovascular disease remains a leading health concern in the UK, responsible for roughly a quarter of all deaths each year. This umbrella term covers conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels, including coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure, and irregular heart rhythms.

While medications exist to manage these conditions, health authorities recommend lifestyle adjustments as well. Among these, dietary changes are crucial, particularly reducing foods high in saturated fats.

Orange Juice Shows Promise for Heart Health

New research from the University of São Paulo in Brazil, published in Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, has revealed that orange juice can influence genes linked to high blood pressure and inflammation. These are key contributors to heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure.

Inflammation can damage blood vessels, constrict arteries, and promote plaque buildup. Orange juice was also shown to enhance genes involved in fat metabolism, supporting better processing and storage of fats in the body.

Layanne Nascimento Fraga, the study’s lead author, told Medical News Today: “We used a transcriptomic approach to observe the effects of orange juice on the entire metabolic system, allowing us to see multiple pathways working together. We found improvements in key cardiometabolic markers, including blood pressure, inflammation, oxidative stress, and lipid metabolism.”

The study identified 1,705 genes affected by orange juice, with 98% being downregulated, highlighting its broad impact on cardiovascular health.

Personalised Benefits and Nutrigenomics

The researchers noted that orange juice’s effects can vary based on an individual’s body weight. This provides insights for tailored dietary recommendations, particularly regarding flavonoid-rich foods like citrus. At the time of reporting, a litre of orange juice from Tesco cost 89p, making a 250ml serving roughly 22p.

Supporting Evidence from Other Studies

This is not the first time orange juice has been linked to heart health. A 2023 study in Lipids in Health and Disease found that consuming two glasses (480ml) daily for at least a year led to significantly lower cholesterol levels in participants aged 18–66.

A meta-analysis reviewing nine studies also suggested that orange juice may improve levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol, though effects on total cholesterol and “good” HDL cholesterol were not significant.

A 2021 study in the European Journal of Nutrition further showed that hesperidin-enriched orange juice could reduce systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure, offering a potential tool for managing pre- and stage-1 hypertension.

It is important to remember that orange juice contains roughly 24 grams of sugar per serving, which should be considered when incorporating it into a daily diet, especially for those monitoring sugar intake.