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The Biggest Wellness Trends of 2025 — and Predictions for 2026 (Part 2)
What really defined wellness in 2025 — and what’s actually worth carrying forward into 2026?
In this second part of our end-of-year health and wellness roundup, I’m joined by health coach and speaker Vanessa Sturman to unpack the biggest wellness shifts of the past year — from the rise of biohacking studios and body scanners to the growing focus on nervous-system regulation, gentler movement, nature-based health and recovery.
We talk about the wellness products and technologies that genuinely stood out, why retreat culture and luxury wellness travel exploded, and how tools like wearables, red light therapy and sauna became mainstream. We also explore some of the more complex conversations of 2025 — including AI therapy and where the line sits between helpful innovation and too much optimisation.
As we look ahead to 2026, Vanessa shares her thoughts on which wellness trends feel meaningful, which might fade away, and the ideas she’s most excited to watch.
Vanessa's website: https://www.vanessasturman.com
Follow The Health Review: https://www.instagram.com/the.health.review
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62. A Nutritionist's Honest Guide to GLP-1s, UPFs & How to Eat Well in the Modern World | Rob Hobson
50:11||Ep. 62GLP-1 medications. Ultra-processed foods. A nation that's eating more but nourishing itself less. Rob Hobson has spent over 20 years in nutrition — and in this conversation, we're not holding back.In this episode of The Health Review, I sit down with Rob Hobson — registered nutritionist, sports nutritionist, founder of RH Nutrition and author of Unprocess Your Life and Unprocess Your Family Life. Rob is one of the UK's most trusted voices in nutrition, known for cutting through the noise and translating complex science into advice that actually works in real life.This is a conversation about where we are with food in the UK right now — and what it's genuinely going to take to change things.We cover:GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro — what happens to your nutritional status on these drugs, why hair loss and deficiencies are being missed, and what good nutritional support actually looks like alongside themUltra-processed foods — the scale of the problem in the UK, why children and teenagers are most at risk, and the grey areas nobody talks aboutThe foods that sit in the middle ground — baked beans, hummus, cooking sauces — and why "ultra-processed" isn't always as black and white as it soundsWhy nutrition education in this country is failing — starting with medical professionals — and what Rob would changeThe case for health hubs and youth clubs as a genuine route to changing how the next generation relates to foodThis episode is for you if:You're curious about GLP-1 medications and what they mean for nutrition, you're trying to navigate the UPF conversation without the fear, or you simply want a grounded, evidence-based perspective from someone who's been doing this work for over two decades.About Rob Hobson:Rob Hobson is a registered nutritionist (AFN) and sports nutritionist (SENR) with over 20 years of experience. He is the founder of RH Nutrition and the author of multiple books including Unprocess Your Life and Unprocess Your Family Life. He is the resident nutritionist on This Morning and has been featured in The Guardian, Women's Fitness and The Telegraph.This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your own clinician before making changes to your health.Rob's Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/robhobsonnutritionist/Rob's website: https://robhobson.co.uk/Follow The Health Review: https://www.instagram.com/the.health.review/Topics: GLP-1 medications | Ozempic | Wegovy | Mounjaro | ultra-processed foods | UPFs | nutrition on GLP-1s | hair loss Ozempic | nutrient deficiency | Rob Hobson nutritionist | UK diet | processed food | baked beans UPF | nutrition education | children's diet | gut health | weight loss medication nutrition | unprocess your life | registered nutritionist UK | healthy eating UK
61. Why You're Exhausted, Anxious & Hormonally Wrecked — And What Methylation Has To Do With It | Dr Jean-Marc Sobczyk
48:28||Ep. 61Methylation. Leaky gut. MTHFR. Biological age. Functional testing. Peptides.These words are everywhere in health and wellness right now — but what do they actually mean, who are they relevant for, and how should they be approached?In this episode of The Health Review, I sit down with Dr Jean-Marc Sobczyk from HOOKE clinic in London— a physician dual-trained in both conventional and naturopathic medicine, with deep expertise in advanced functional testing, methylation and root-cause health. He's at the cutting edge of methylation science and runs a dedicated platform on the MTHFR gene and its implications for health.This is one of the most clinically rich conversations I've had on the podcast — and one that I think will genuinely change how you think about your own health.We cover:What methylation actually is — and why it underpins energy, detox, hormone balance, mood and longevityThe B vitamins that support the methylation cycle and how to use them intelligentlyMTHFR, COMT and other gene variants — what they mean in practice and how common they areHow poor methylation shows up clinically: anxiety, burnout, hormonal issues, fatigue, low resilienceMethylation and women's health — PMS, fertility, pregnancy prep, perimenopauseThe gut-methylation connection: why liver function and gut health are inseparable from how well you methylateLeaky gut and reactive gut — how to identify it, calm it and repair itProbiotics: when they help and when they don'tBiological age testing, peptides and longevity medicine — what's worth it and what's noiseThe foundational things to focus on before spending money on complex testingThis episode is for you if:You've been told your bloods are normal but you still don't feel well. You struggle with fatigue, anxiety, hormonal imbalance, gut issues or brain fog — and you want to understand what might actually be driving it.About Dr Jean-Marc Sobczyk:Dr Jean-Marc Sobczyk is a physician dual-trained in conventional and naturopathic medicine. He practises at HOOKE, a longevity and preventative medicine clinic, where he uses advanced functional testing alongside natural and integrative therapies to address root-cause health. He has a specialist focus on methylation and the MTHFR gene.This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your own clinician before making changes to your health.Topics: methylation | MTHFR gene | COMT | functional medicine | leaky gut | gut health | probiotics | biological age | peptides | longevity medicine | B vitamins | hormone balance | oestrogen detox | dopamine | neurotransmitters | personalised medicine | preventative health | anxiety and nutrition | women's hormones | perimenopause nutrition | fatigue root cause | naturopathic medicineDr Jean-Marc Sobczyk: https://www.instagram.com/mthfr_expert/HOOKE: https://www.hooke.london/Follow The Health Review: https://www.instagram.com/the.health.review/
60. Ancient Wisdom, Modern Longevity Medicine & Why Your Body Holds the Answers | Dr Ash Kapoor
49:23||Ep. 60Longevity medicine, mitochondrial health, methylation testing, peptides, hormones, gut health — but why do so many people doing "all the right things" still feel flat, foggy, and far from themselves?In this episode of The Health Review, I sit down with Dr Ash Kapoor (MRCGP), founder of Levitas Clinic and a longevity and human optimisation physician with over 30 years of clinical experience. This isn't a biohacking checklist — it's a deeper conversation about how the body actually works, why physiology and mental clarity are inseparable, and what most longevity conversations leave out entirely.We cover:Why mitochondrial health is the foundation most people overlookHormones, gut health and stress physiology — and where Dr Ash starts with patientsMethylation testing: genuinely useful or overcomplicating your health?Peptides and IV therapies: what the evidence shows and where caution is warrantedWhy you cannot think, meditate or mindset your way out of poor physiologyAncient wisdom, stillness and the intelligence of the bodyThe real order of longevity priorities — simplifiedThis episode is for you if:You've optimised your sleep, tracked your nutrition, tried the supplements — and still don't feel like yourself.About Dr Ash Kapoor:Dr Ash Kapoor MRCGP is a longevity and integrative medicine physician and founder of Levitas Clinic. He brings together 30+ years of conventional medical training with functional, preventive and ancient wisdom practices to help people optimise how they feel and age.This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your own clinician before making changes to your health.Topics: longevity medicine | mitochondrial health | methylation | peptide therapy | IV therapy | hormones and energy | gut health | biohacking | human optimisation | integrative medicine | functional medicine | stress physiology | ancient wisdom | meditation and healthLevitas clinic: https://levitascliniclondon.com/Dr. Ash: https://www.instagram.com/drashkapoorFollow The Health Review: https://www.instagram.com/the.health.review
59. Energy & Spirituality: Can You Heal the Body Through Qi? (Life Force Energy)
53:50||Ep. 59What if healing the body isn’t only about protocols, supplements, and lifestyle — but also about energy and spirituality? And how do we explore that idea?In this episode, I’m joined by Emilie Weston, lead practitioner at Sun Kyeong London, who shares her personal journey from living with ME (chronic fatigue syndrome) and trying countless wellness approaches… to discovering Sun Kyeong — a South Korean-rooted spiritual practice focused on restoring and strengthening what they describe as life-force energy (Qi).Together, we explore the power of spirituality — not as a vague concept, but as a practical path to returning to our natural state (compassion, joy, gratitude, peace, vitality). Emilie explains how she found her own spiritual path through ancient wisdom practices, and how that transformed not only her health, but her whole relationship with life.In this conversation, we cover:Emilie’s journey through ME / chronic fatigue and what finally helped after years of trying different wellness practicesEnergy explained in a grounded way: what it is, and why it matters for healing the bodyThe two types of energy that support wellbeing:the energy we’re born with (life-force / universal energy), andnature’s energy (food, water, sunlight) — with Emilie’s brilliant “battery + petrol” analogyEnergy blockages: how they form, how to spot them, and why they can show up as physical symptomsFamily patterns, ancestors, inherited energy, and how Emilie bridges spirituality with ideas like epigenetics and karmaWhere to start with Sun Kyeong: energy treatments vs energy classes vs ancestor healing (and how to choose)If you’ve ever felt depleted, heavy, stuck in repeating patterns, or like your healing needs a deeper layer — this conversation will be helpful and could open up a completely different lens for you. Note: This episode is for education and exploration and isn’t medical advice. If you have persistent symptoms, please speak to a qualified healthcare professional.Visit Sun Kyeong London: https://www.sunkyeong.org.ukhttps://www.instagram.com/sunkyeonglondon/https://www.instagram.com/emilieweston/Follow The Health Review: https://www.instagram.com/the.health.review/
58. Mental Fitness in an AI World: Neuroplasticity, Dopamine & Focus | Anne-Sophie Fluri
50:18||Ep. 58If you feel like your attention is getting worse — and your brain is constantly “on” — you’re not imagining it. In this episode of The Health Review, neuroscientist Anne-Sophie Fluri (founder of Brainwave) explains how AI and constant digital stimulation are reshaping our brains, and what we can do to protect focus, motivation and mental resilience.We break down what mental fitness actually means and how neuroplasticity works in adults, and the real role of dopamine in attention, drive and phone habits. We also explore whether a “dopamine diet” is useful and the simple, science-backed habits that help you rewire your brain for clarity in a distracted world.In this episode, we cover:How AI is changing attention, learning and critical thinkingWhat “mental fitness” is (and how to train it)Neuroplasticity as an adult: how change really happensDopamine and phone addiction: what’s going on under the hoodDo we need a dopamine diet — and what does that even mean?Practical tools to build resilience, focus and cognitive strength🎧 Listen here and on all podcast platforms / Subscribe for weekly evidence-based health conversations with incredible guests.Brainwave: https://wearebrainwave.co/Anne-Sophie's IG: https://www.instagram.com/coochiebygucci/The Health Review: https://www.instagram.com/the.health.review/#neuroscience #dopamine #neuroplasticity #mentalhealth #focus #ai
57. Digital Detox: Why You Can’t Stop Scrolling (And How to Break the Habit) with Colin Corby
48:02||Ep. 57We all say we’re “just checking something.”And then suddenly it’s 40 minutes later.If you feel like you can’t stop scrolling, struggle to focus, or reach for your phone the moment you feel bored, stressed or uncomfortable — you’re not alone.In this episode of The Health Review, I sit down with Colin Corby, also known as The Digital Detox Coach, to explore what constant digital stimulation is doing to your brain, your attention span and your nervous system.We talk about:Why it feels so hard to stop scrollingThe psychology behind compulsive phone habitsHow notifications and multitasking fragment your focusThe hidden cost of constant stimulationWhy willpower isn’t enough to change digital behaviourHow to create a realistic digital detox without quitting modern lifePractical tools to regain clarity, presence and controlThis conversation isn’t about demonising technology. It’s about learning how to use your phone — without it using you.If your focus has slipped, your mornings start with scrolling, or your attention feels scattered, this episode will help you reset.Colin's website: https://thedigitaldetoxcoach.com/Colin's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_digital_detox_coachFollow The Health Review: https://www.instagram.com/the.health.review/
56. The Vagus Nerve Explained: Calm Your Body & Rewire Stress
37:32||Ep. 56Chronic stress has become so normal that many of us no longer recognise when our nervous system is stuck in survival mode. If you feel wired but exhausted, struggle to switch off, experience poor sleep, anxiety, or constant overwhelm, the issue may not be mindset — it may be nervous system dysregulation.In this episode of The Health Review, Emily speaks with Jane Ollis — medical biochemist, environmental scientist, Oxford business fellow, and founder of SONA, an AI-powered vagus nerve stimulation platform designed to retrain the body’s stress response.Together, they explore how the nervous system really works, why modern life keeps us stuck in fight-or-flight, and what it actually means to feel calm and regulated. Jane explains the role of the vagus nerve, heart rate variability (HRV), and autonomic balance — and why true recovery requires retraining the body, not just managing stress.They also discuss the future of adaptive neurostimulation, how personalised technology can support resilience and sleep, and why nervous system regulation may become one of the most important tools in preventive health and performance medicine.🎧 Exclusive listener offer: Jane has kindly offered The Health Review listeners 15% off SONA. Use code THR at checkout or access the discount automatically here: https://sona.pxf.io/c/7022575/3799822/43388Check out SONA: https://sona.helpFollow The Health Review: https://www.instagram.com/the.health.review/
55. The Science of Detox, Cold Exposure & Nervous System Healing | Alanna Kit
54:03||Ep. 55We’re living in a world our bodies were never designed for — microplastics, environmental chemicals, chronic stress, and constant stimulation. So what does detox really mean in 2026?In this fascinating and forward-looking conversation, I’m joined by Alanna Kit — co-founder of Arc Community and a PhD researcher in behavioural and cognitive neuroscience — who is working at the cutting edge of integrative health, nervous system regulation, and psychedelic research.We explore detox beyond diets and supplements, the role of inflammation and stress in modern illness, and why small, intentional stressors may actually make us more resilient.Alanna also shares insights into her upcoming clinical research with UCL examining brain activity during cold exposure using EEG technology — and discusses whether cold plunging is truly harmful for women’s hormones, or if the reality is more nuanced.We discuss:What “detox” really means in modern lifeMicroplastics, chemicals & invisible stressors affecting healthCold exposure, sauna & the science of hormesisWhether cold plunging impacts women’s hormonesWhy sauna after cold exposure may support recoveryStress as a tool for resilience rather than something to avoidThe nervous system’s role in healing & inflammationPsilocybin research and its potential impact on mental health & chronic inflammationHow inflammation may affect the blood-brain barrierWhy community is essential for healing in a post-pandemic worldThe rapid growth of Arc Community and its vision for integrative wellnessThis episode offers a science-led look at how we build resilience, support detox pathways, and rethink healing in the modern world.Visit Arc: https://www.arc-community.com/Follow The Health Review: https://www.instagram.com/the.health.review/
54. Managing Chronic Illness — When It’s Not “All In Your Head”
49:48||Ep. 54Chronic symptoms. Normal test results. And the phrase no one wants to hear: “It’s all in your head.”In this episode of The Health Review, I’m joined by health psychologist and psychotherapist Dr Sula Windgassen, author of It's All In Your Body, to explore what’s really happening when symptoms like IBS, fatigue, chronic pain, bladder issues and burnout persist — even when doctors can’t find clear answers.Dr Sula shares her own experience of chronic health struggles that were dismissed, and explains how the nervous system, immune system and brain can become stuck in “threat mode.” We discuss:– Why symptoms can continue even when tests are normal– The science behind the mind–body connection– IBS, chronic fatigue and nervous system dysregulation– Trauma and burnout in the body– Why being told “it’s stress” can make things worse– How to work with your body rather than fight itThis is not just about positive thinking or overnight fixes. It’s about understanding symptoms through a biopsychosocial lens — and rebuilding trust with your body.If you’ve ever felt dismissed, stuck or frustrated by persistent symptoms, this conversation will resonate. Dr Sula's website & new book:https://www.healthpsychologist.co.uk/https://www.healthpsychologist.co.uk/itsallinyourbodyFollow The Health Review: https://www.instagram.com/the.health.review