Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Michael Mosley and James Wong explore the effect that our food has on our most important and, in terms of energy consumption, our greediest organ - the brain.

Michael Mosley and James Wong explore the effect that our food has on our most important and, in terms of energy consumption, our greediest organ. It influences our diet by generating cravings for foods such as fat - the most energy-rich food of them all. James heads off to Peru to reveal the surprising link that fat-rich, indulgent chocolate has with breast milk. Sometimes these cravings almost become an addiction - like coffee for example. So we visit a remarkable lab where a team is studying the effect of caffeine on bees and how that may help explain the hold that caffeinated drinks have over us. Together, Michael and James take on some of the hottest chillies on the planet to show what the burn does to our brains. Using the latest imaging techniques and incredibly detailed specialist photography, this is a whole new way of thinking about our relationship with food and the powerful effect it has on our minds.

58 minutes

Music Played

  • Yelawolf

    Outer Space

  • SKAMP

    Spotlight (Don't Let Fame Replace Your Name)

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Michael Mosley
Presenter James Wong
Series Producer Gideon Bradshaw
Executive Producer Helen Thomas

Broadcasts

Learn more food secrets in an OU exclusive interview with James Wong

Watch on The Open University website.