The biology of food noise

You might be working, driving, or sitting in a meeting, but part of your brain is elsewhere, mentally rifling through the kitchen cupboards. This intrusive soundtrack of food thoughts, known these days as “food noise,” is more than just a passing craving. It’s a psychological and biological tug-of-war that scientists are only beginning to map.

Hunger vs cravings: how to tell the difference

Most of the time, we eat because our body tells us we’re hungry. But sometimes, we eat only because we feel like it, are bored, or are enticed by external cues, such as the smell of a neighbour's morning bacon sandwich trickling through the window.

Why food noise gets louder at night

Almost a third of us are guilty of raiding the fridge at night, after we’ve had our dinner, according to our new nationwide survey of over 2,000 UK adults. It’s only natural to fancy a snack in the evening, even if you’re not hungry.

Rediscovering health and happiness: Helen’s transformation with Numan

After years of feeling lost in the demands of motherhood, Helen found herself craving a way back. Postnatal depression, lockdown isolation, and comfort eating had taken a toll on her health.

Ana's weight loss diary: what happened when I joined Numan

At Numan, we’re redefining how we approach weight loss. Rather than a number on the scale, it’s about improving health and happiness. Through our Weight Loss Diaries, we're excited to introduce Ana, who’s eager to share the highs, lows, and everything in between.

Loose skin: a side effect of weight loss

You’ve done everything right. You’ve hit your step goals, pushed through plateaus, and watched the number on the scale drop. But as the weight comes off, something else is left behind - a body that no longer fits quite like it used to. Specifically, the skin.

Introducing the Numan Weight Loss Diaries

At Numan, we understand that starting a weight loss journey is more than just a decision - it’s a commitment to a healthier life.

Can obesity affect your ability to have children?

We all know that being overweight impacts your health. But did you know it might also make it harder to have children?

What to do if you’re travelling abroad with weight loss medications

Travelling while on weight loss medications, such as Wegovy or Mounjaro, doesn't have to be daunting. With a little preparation, you can make sure your treatment plan remains uninterrupted on your travels.

Is the stigma around weight just as harmful as obesity itself?

Obesity often grabs the headlines, sparking debates filled with myths and misunderstandings. But is the misinformation surrounding obesity more than just misleading?

Understanding emotional eating

It’s 9 p.m. You’ve had a long day. You’re not hungry, but suddenly you’re craving an abundance of snacks. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Emotional eating, which is the act of turning to food for comfort, stress relief, or even boredom, is a coping mechanism many of us fall back on.1 But while it may offer short-term relief, it rarely solves the problem at hand. In fact, it often leaves us feeling worse.

Are diets the best way to lose weight and keep it off?

You’ve heard of them all. Keto, low-carb, Atkins. Diets promise quick fixes, but do they actually work in the long run?

Is weight a good measure of fitness?

When you think about fitness, weight is often the first thing that comes to mind. However, relying solely on weight as a measure of fitness doesn't provide a complete picture of your health.

What to do if you’re travelling abroad with weight loss medications

Travelling while on weight loss medications, such as Wegovy or Mounjaro, doesn't have to be daunting. With a little preparation, you can make sure your treatment plan remains uninterrupted on your travels.

The link between your handshake and lifespan

How strong is your grip? It’s a question you probably haven’t asked yourself lately, if ever. But according to research, the strength of your handshake could tell us more about your health and future than your blood pressure or heart rate.1

Numan's lifestyle stats reveal the impact of stress on weight

For decades, we’ve been told that weight gain comes down to what we eat and how much we move. Calories in, calories out. But what if the biggest weight we carry isn’t on our plate or in our trainers, but in our minds? Data from Numan’s Weight Loss Programme sheds light on a long-overlooked contributor to weight gain and poor health outcomes: stress.

How to spot unhealthy 'healthy' foods

Navigating the shopping aisles can be confusing, with labels like "low-fat," "sugar-free," and "high-protein" making it hard to know what's truly good for you. Here’s what you need to know

The impact of processed foods on the gut microbiome

In the 1990s, a Brazilian scientist named Carolos Monteiro noticed that childhood obesity rates were climbing fast in Brazil.1 But looking deeper into the matter, he noticed that it wasn’t just about the children eating too much salt and sugar. Instead, they realised that the bigger change was in what people were eating, and not just how much.1