Timothy had always been health-conscious. After years of social drinking, she decided to quit alcohol for good. But giving up the ritual of sipping on a drink at social gatherings felt impossible. That's when alcohol-free beer and wine seemed like the perfect alternative—offering the taste and experience without the intoxication. However, what Sarah didn't realize was that these supposedly "harmless" drinks might still be affecting her liver in ways she hadn't anticipated.

With a global shift toward healthier choices, the rise of alcohol-free beverages has been fuelled. Do these drinks, however, live up to their promise of being risk-free? New research shows that while they may eliminate the dangers of intoxication, they still pose metabolic and liver-related risks, which calls for moderation in the long run.

What Happens in your Body within 10 Minutes of Drinking Alcohol-Free Beverages?

The first time you take a sip of an alcohol-free beverage, your body responds almost instantly. Anshul Singh, Lead Clinical Nutritionist and Dietetics Department says, "In as little as 10 minutes, your taste buds have picked up on the flavors, and your brain might even get a placebo effect, giving you the sensation that you're about to be drunk. Some alcohol-free drinks have up to 0.5% ABV, which goes into the bloodstream in minute quantities but will probably not affect you in any significant way."

By the 30-minute mark, your body has metabolized the sugars, artificial sweeteners, or additives in the drink. "Some people may experience a mild insulin spike, which can cause temporary energy boosts. Some non-alcoholic drinks also contain fermentation byproducts or botanical extracts that mimic the sedative effects of alcohol, causing slight drowsiness or relaxation," adds Anshul.

After 60 minutes, most of the drink has been metabolized. Although there is no risk of intoxication, repeated consumption can subtly affect metabolism, gut health, and even trigger cravings for alcohol among those in recovery. Those sensitive to sugar, caffeine, or preservatives might experience even more pronounced effects over time.

How Alcohol-Free Drinks Affect Your Gut and Liver Connection

Your liver and gut health are connected, forming what is called the gut-liver axis. Anshul emphasises, "Even though drinks without alcohol seem harmless, they usually contain sugars, artificial sweeteners, and fermentation byproducts that can disturb this delicate balance."

• High sugar content may lead to insulin resistance, inflammation, and fat accumulation in the liver.
• Artificial sweeteners may change the gut microbiota, causing metabolic imbalances.
• Preservatives and artificial flavors can also enhance gut permeability, thus potentially leading to leaky gut syndrome.

Long-term consumption of these drinks may gradually affect digestion, liver detoxification, and overall metabolic health, making moderation necessary.

Do Alcohol-Free Drinks Still Trigger Liver Enzymes?

Even though these nonalcoholic beverages contain virtually insignificant alcohol, the liver processes them as well. "These small concentrations of alcohol-which may go as high as 0.5% ABV-trigger the liver's detoxification pathways but only at much weaker intensities compared to ordinary alcoholic drinks. But the added sugars, artificial sweeteners, and preservatives in the products could pose significant pressure on liver functions over the long term," explains Anshul.

High sugar intake causes insulin resistance, which can lead to the buildup of fat in the liver and increase the risk of developing NAFLD. Some fermentation byproducts in these beverages also trigger oxidative stress, which puts extra pressure on the liver. Though occasional consumption will not pose a significant threat, regular consumption might lead to chronic liver stress and metabolic imbalance.

Do Non-Alcoholic Beverages Affect Liver Detoxification?

Although trace amounts of alcohol exist in alcohol-free beer and wine, the body will still have to metabolize them. The body employs the same enzymatic pathways used for alcoholic beverages but at a much lower intensity. However, the added sugars, preservatives, and fermentation byproducts present their own set of challenges:

• Mild inflammation to the liver due to the additives and byproducts within the drinks.
• Insulin resistance resulting from excessive sugar intake, causing fat accumulation in the liver.
• Detoxification pathways are overburdened, and impairment of liver function occurs gradually.

Alcohol-free drinks do not cause the liver to become overwhelmed as traditional alcohol does, although it does have a lower, but still important, risk for someone who is drinking too much. For someone with a problem of liver disease or metabolic syndrome, limiting alcohol-free drinks is also important.

Should You Drink Alcohol-Free Beverages?

Alcoholic beverages have always been a dangerous drink, but the safer option for those who want to avoid intoxication. However, it is not totally risk-free. Its impact on metabolism, gut health, and liver function cannot be ignored. Although they are not harmful at first, their consumption over a long period leads to insulin resistance, liver stress, and imbalance in the gut.

For the consumers who love these drinks, moderation is the way forward. The expert shares, "The choice of brands with the least additives, lower sugar, and natural ingredients will reduce risks. In addition, supplementing with a diet that is rich in antioxidants, fiber, and hydration can complement the liver in general."

For most, thought that adopting alcohol-free beverages was a healthier decision. On discovering their side effects on liver health, though, she learned to limit its intake and settle for alternatives that included infused sparkling water, herbal teas, or even kombucha with controlled sugar levels.

The bottom line? Alcohol-free doesn't mean consequence-free. The best way to achieve long-term health is by paying attention to what goes into the body and yet still enjoy social rituals of preference.

Anshul Singh is the Team Lead with the Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Department at Artemis Hospitals in India.

It often begins in the most ordinary way—someone sits down to enjoy a meal and suddenly feels a sharp swelling under the jaw or near the ear.

The pain intensifies with every bite, creating a strange pattern: eat, swell, hurt; stop eating, and the swelling slowly settles.

For many people, this puzzling cycle is caused by something surprisingly small—a salivary stone. Though typically no larger than a few millimeters, these tiny mineral deposits can cause significant discomfort and, if untreated, repeated infections. Fortunately, modern medicine has transformed how this condition is managed, replacing traditional gland removal surgery with a minimally invasive technique known as sialendoscopy.

A Salivary Stone

Saliva is something most of us rarely think about, yet it plays a vital role in everyday life. It helps us chew and swallow food, begins the process of digestion, keeps the mouth moist, and protects teeth from decay. Salivary stones, medically termed sialolithiasis, develop when minerals—primarily calcium—gradually crystallize inside these ducts.

Over time, these crystals accumulate, forming hard, chalk-like structures that partially or completely block the flow of saliva. When saliva becomes concentrated—often due to dehydration, reduced fluid intake, or medications that decrease saliva production—minerals are more likely to settle and crystallize.

Slow flow or stagnation within the duct allows these tiny deposits to grow. Previous infections, inflammation, or minor scarring can narrow the duct, further encouraging stone formation. The process is gradual and often silent until the blockage becomes significant.

Symptoms Of Salivary Stone

The symptoms are distinctive. Pain and swelling typically occur during meals, when the glands are stimulated to produce more saliva. If a stone is blocking the duct, saliva cannot escape into the mouth. Pressure builds within the gland, causing swelling and a throbbing ache. The swelling may reduce after some time as saliva slowly seeps past the obstruction, only to recur at the next meal.

In some cases, patients notice a dry mouth, an unpleasant taste, or even pus discharge if infection develops. Because the symptoms come and go, many people delay seeking medical help, assuming it is a temporary issue.

Salivary Stone: Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis today is far more straightforward than it once was. A doctor may sometimes feel a stone during a physical examination inside the mouth or beneath the jaw. Ultrasound scanning is a simple and painless way to detect most stones, while CT scans are useful for identifying deeper or smaller ones.

However, the real breakthrough in both diagnosis and treatment has been sialendoscopy. This technique involves introducing a very thin endoscope—about the size of a delicate wire—directly into the natural opening of the salivary duct inside the mouth. The surgeon can then visualize the duct system from within, identify the exact location of the stone, and in many cases remove it during the same procedure.

Not long ago, treatment options were far more invasive. When stones were deeply lodged or infections recurred, surgeons often removed the entire affected gland.

For the submandibular gland, this required an incision in the neck, a hospital stay, and a recovery period that could last weeks. There was also a significant risk of nerve injury, which could affect tongue movement or lower lip function. While gland excision effectively eliminated the stone, it also meant permanent loss of that gland’s function.

For what is essentially a small obstructing stone, the operation was often disproportionate to the problem. Gland removal also meant a permanent scar on the neck, which can cause significant facial deformity.

Treating Salivary Stone With Sialendoscopy

The advent of sialendoscopy has dramatically changed this landscape. Through the natural duct opening inside the mouth, the surgeon gently widens the duct and introduces the miniature camera. Continuous saline irrigation keeps the view clear.

Once the stone is located, tiny micro-instruments such as baskets or graspers are used to retrieve it. Larger stones can sometimes be fragmented using a LASER before removal.

In addition to extracting stones, sialendoscopy allows the surgeon to dilate narrow ducts, wash out debris, and treat inflammatory conditions. The procedure typically takes less than an hour, is often performed as a day-care surgery, and leaves no external scar.

The benefits of sialendoscopy are substantial. The most important advantage is gland preservation. Instead of sacrificing an entire gland, the obstruction alone is addressed, allowing normal saliva production to continue. There are no visible scars because the procedure is performed entirely through the mouth.

Recovery is typically quick, with most patients resuming normal activities within a day or two. Complication rates are lower compared to open surgery, and success rates are high—often exceeding 90 to 95 percent in appropriately selected cases. Even when stones are larger or located deeper within the gland, sialendoscopy can often be combined with a small intraoral incision, still avoiding external scars and major surgery.

Sialendoscopy and its allied approaches can now tackle almost any stone, whether it’s in the duct or in the gland, with utmost precision, leaving behind a fully functional gland. Despite conventional learnings, even intraglandular stones, large stones, and patients with multiple stones can be effectively treated using this novel technique.

Preventing Salivary Stones

Prevention, while not always possible, can reduce risk. Staying well hydrated helps maintain healthy saliva flow. Good oral hygiene minimizes infection and inflammation within the ducts. Early evaluation of recurrent swelling can prevent chronic damage. Individuals who take medications that reduce saliva production should be particularly mindful of fluid intake and regular dental care.

The story of salivary stones is ultimately one of medical progress. What was once managed through the removal of an entire gland can now often be treated with a fine endoscope and delicate instruments. The transformation has reduced pain, shortened recovery times, minimized complications, and preserved natural gland function.

For patients, it means less anxiety and more confidence in seeking care early. For surgeons, it represents the success of innovation guided by a simple principle: treat precisely, preserve whenever possible, and restore normal function with the least disruption.

Salivary stones may be small, but their impact can be significant. Thanks to sialendoscopy and the expertise of pioneers in the field, patients today have access to safer, more conservative, and highly effective treatment options. In modern salivary gland care, the focus is no longer on removing the gland—it is on saving it.

The consumption of vapes or the practice of vaping has seen a surge among the younger generation. People have often considered vapes to be a substitute for their everyday cigarettes, and therefore, they have replaced their traditional smoking habits. They do not carry the right knowledge about this common practice and fail to take the right measures to cut down on its usage. Research institutions and government bodies are now making collective efforts to establish the facts and make the general populace more aware and healthy.

How Can You Detect The Early Signs Of Oral Cancer?

Oral problems and an increased risk of oral cancer are considered to be the common problems associated with vaping. The presence of harmful chemicals in its formation makes it harmful to the human body. Along with your oral cavity, they can also damage the lining of your mouth. It has been proven that excessive consumption of vapes can lead to an increased risk of oral cancer.

Oral cancer can be prevented with early detection and immediate medical intervention. It can be identified with signs like abnormal bleeding inside the mouth, ulcers that won’t heal, chronic soreness, and red and white patches on the tongue and gums. The common signs are often discarded as an allergy, and people fail to seek the right treatment. Even with the available medical care and support, they are not able to counter this deadly disease.

The Impact of Vaping on Oral Tissues

The risk of vaping is not limited to increased chances of getting oral cancer. It can also impact your overall health. A vape is made with excessive heat and other harmful chemicals, which can damage the tissues of your gums and cause inflammation. It can lead to a condition known as gingivitis. One might also experience a dryness in their mouth, which is caused by reduced saliva production, which is considered to be a defense mechanism against bacterial production.

There can be far-reaching implications of having a constant dry mouth. It can lead to a breeding ground for harmful microbes. It can also increase one’s chances of having tooth decay, foul smell in the mouth, and oral infections.

Also read: Vaping Becomes Major Nicotine Threat Among Children Under 5 in US, Warns Study

The presence of flavoring agents and harmful chemicals in vapes makes them more damaging to the enamel of your teeth. In the short run, it might not seem like a major problem, but it can lead to tooth sensitivity if not handled at the right time.

Which Is More Harmful- Smoking or Vaping?

As the practice of vaping does not include combustion, people consider it safer than regular smoking. They often forget that vapes contain a significant amount of nicotine, which promotes survival and rapid growth of cancerous cells.

Vaping can reduce the blood flow to your gums and affect your healing capabilities. It can also increase your probability of periodontal disease. As the younger generation considers vaping to be a safer alternative, it can lead to its more frequent usage. As vaping does not follow any pattern like traditional smoking, it can be consumed at any time during the day, and increases your exposure to harmful chemicals.

The younger generation has reported an increasing number of oral health issues that are linked to vaping. Some of these problems include inflammation of your gums and decay of

your tooth enamel. As these issues seem visibly minor, they can often get ignored, and the person might not seek the required treatment. Consequently, they might develop long-term oral problems.

The younger generation gets influenced by the internet fads and more affordable alternatives to their daily smoking. As they keep increasing their consumption of vapes, they fail to identify the potential side effects.

Conclusion

The ongoing research has proven that vaping can be detrimental to both your oral and overall health. Research has suggested that this problem is more common among the younger generation, who might feel more inclined to replace the traditional forms of smoking. With ease of usage and accessibility, this malpractice has youngsters across the globe under its grip.

If one does not make the right effort to reduce their usage, it can lead to serious complications in the long run. Both the government officials and healthcare professionals need to spread more awareness about its detrimental effects and make efforts to conduct regular oral checkups. In this way, there will be a community-level effort to put a stop to its usage.

Bob Harris, the renowned BBC Radio 2 host, has informed his listeners of being hospitalized again for prostate cancer treatment.

Posting on social media platform Instagram, Harris said he is receiving treatment for an issue that has developed over the past few weeks.

“As many of you know, I suffer from prostate cancer, and every now and again I experience setbacks that need attention. Now is one of these moments,” he wrote, along with a picture of himself lying in a hospital bed while smiling for the camera.

Harris noted that he’s taking short break away from his programs. However, he confirmed that this week’s Country Show is scheduled as planned, and his Sounds of the 70’s episode on 12th April will feature an 80th birthday celebration special he recorded before attending the C2C Festival with Zoe Ball.

Noting that he can’t state the day of his return as the host, he said: “I know that I will come back… and come back stronger”.

“I hate missing programs and I am keen to get back into the studio as soon as I can”.

Calling himself “blessed” for the support he received from friends and family and listeners of his show, Harris said that during his absence, Darius Rucker will guest on Country, while Shaun Keaveny will cover Sounds of the 70’s for a few weeks.

"I am so blessed to have the love of my family and the support of my friends who have rallied round me at what has proved to be an unexpectedly testing time,” Harris said.

Prostate Cancer: The UK’s Most Common Male Cancer

Prostate cancer remains the most common cancer among men in the UK, with around 55,000 cases diagnosed every year. Despite this, there is currently no national screening program because of concerns over the accuracy of PSA tests.

In November 2025, former UK Prime Minister David Cameron revealed his prostate cancer diagnosis and also called for a targeted screening.

Also read: Joe Biden Is Diagnosed With Aggressive Prostate Cancer: All That You Need To Know

In an interview with Times, he said, "You always hope for the best. You have a high PSA score - that is probably nothing. You have an MRI scan with a few black marks on it. You think, ‘Ah, that’s probably OK.’ But when the biopsy comes back, and it says you have got prostate cancer. You always dread hearing those words. And then literally as they’re coming out of the doctor’s mouth you’re thinking, ‘Oh, no, he’s going to say it. He’s going to say it. Oh God, he said it.’"

The former PM, said that he had a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test for the screening that looks for proteins associated with the form of the disease. His result was high, and a biopsy after that revealed his cancer.

In October 2024, six-time Olympic gold medallist Chris Hoy revealed he had been diagnosed with terminal stage 4 cancer. His prostate cancer had spread to his shoulder, pelvis, hips, ribs and spine.