Sophie Patel

Sophie Patel's first instinct when she hears a bold health claim is to find out who funded the study. That scepticism — earned through years covering wellness trends that turned out to be more marketing than medicine — has become her greatest professional asset. She writes for the reader who wants to make real decisions about their health, not be dazzled by a press release.

Her work at Longevity Direct tends to ask uncomfortable questions: What do centenarian studies actually prove? Which supplements have evidence behind them, and which are riding the longevity hype cycle? Where does emerging science end and wishful thinking begin? Sophie has a particular interest in consumer protection within the wellness industry — an industry she believes does enormous good when it's honest, and real harm when it isn't.

Outside of journalism, Sophie is an avid reader and a committed traveller with a preference for destinations that require a bit of planning. Patagonia is next on the list — she's been researching it with the same thoroughness she applies to her articles.