Milk has been part of our diet since we first domesticated animals and is the essential base of many other foods, including cheese, butter, yoghurt and chocolate. We investigate some of the myths and fads about milk to discover the proven health benefits and find out that a glass of semi-skimmed is the best way to cool the palate after spicy food.

The world’s third most popular ingredient after salt and pepper, onions and garlic have traditionally been just as common in the medicine chest. Egyptian slaves were given daily rations of garlic and Alexander the Great wouldn’t march before feeding his army onions. Modern medical research is focused on possible uses in the treatment of breast cancer, heart disease and MRSA.