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.

Dengue has become one of the fastest-emerging health crises in the urban parts of India. Every year during the monsoon season, the number of dengue cases rises dramatically in many Indian cities, posing a huge burden on the healthcare sector.

Though climate and mosquitoes are usually cited as reasons for the surge in dengue cases, the problem actually lies in how urban life and the infrastructure of the cities have changed over the decades.

Why Urban Areas Are More Vulnerable

The dengue virus is spread through the Aedes aegypti mosquito that lives well in fresh still water, which is abundant in urban areas.

Mosquitoes breed in construction sites, open water tanks, old plastic buckets, flower pots, coolers, water stored on roofs, and blocked drainage systems. Due to the growing size of cities and high population density, mosquito-borne diseases have become more common.

There are many factors that contribute to the rise in the number of dengue patients, one of which is unplanned city expansion. The fast pace of development in the cities results in stagnant water in the construction areas going unnoticed for weeks.

Moreover, improper drainage and a lack of sanitation facilities help mosquitoes breed. Even posh societies and offices can suffer if proper checks are not conducted.

Urban lifestyle trends also act as indirect factors contributing to the issue. Longer working hours, higher levels of indoor activities, and reliance on mechanical ventilation lead to less focus on environmental hygiene issues.

Families tend to take mosquito prevention steps only after an outbreak starts. The overuse of plastics and poor waste management practices in urban areas have exacerbated waterlogging problems.

The situation has been exacerbated by climate change and global warming. Mosquitoes can breed at a faster pace and survive for a longer period of time in the warm climate and unpredictable rain patterns. Another factor that plays an important role is urban heat islands, which refer to places that are hotter because of man-made concrete buildings.

What Needs to Change?

In order to curb the incidence of dengue, there must be an all-around transformation, both on the part of the governing authorities and the people. Firstly, urban planning should take into consideration good drainage facilities, frequent fogging, garbage disposal services, and proper regulation of building sites. Secondly, there must be frequent checks in residential areas, schools, offices, markets, and open public areas.

Secondly, the awareness campaign needs to be practical and more community-oriented. The citizens should realize that the prevention of dengue starts from their homes. Actions like washing the coolers once a week, covering the water tank, not allowing the water to stagnate, and using mosquito repellents will go a long way in minimizing the spread of dengue.

Early Detection and Healthcare Preparedness

Healthcare preparedness is also equally important. The early detection and proper treatment of dengue could help avoid any serious complications. One should never overlook symptoms like fever, body pain, headache, rashes on the skin, nausea, and weakness during the rainy season.

Combatting dengue fever is no longer just a matter of health care but rather a question of urban planning and lifestyle issues. As the cities continue to expand, everyone should unite and come up with healthier and more environmentally friendly cities. Otherwise, we may see more recurring problems of dengue outbreaks in urban settings every year.

Amid growing discussions around hantavirus transmission through body fluids, experts today stressed that cases involving transmission through breast milk or semen remain extremely rare and should not trigger unnecessary panic.

The discussions began after a 2023 study published in the journal Viruses found that the Andes strain of the rat-borne virus can persist in human semen for up to six years.

More concerning was the possibility that the virus could potentially be transmitted sexually even after a person has recovered, according to the peer-reviewed study.

The research, conducted by Swiss scientists at Spiez Laboratory, suggested that hantavirus may survive in the male reproductive tract like viruses such as Ebola.

“Taken together, our results show that the Andes virus has the potential for sexual transmission,” the study said. However, to date, no confirmed case of such transmission has been documented.

Why Viral RNA Can Persist In Semen

Speaking to HealthandMe, Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, convenor of the IMA research cell, explained that the detection of Andes virus RNA — the hantavirus strain linked to the recent MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak — in semen long after recovery is not entirely unexpected.

“The finding of RNA belonging to the Andes virus in human semen long after recovery is no surprise. In fact, this is a well-described scenario in at least 27 different viruses, including Zika and Ebola,” he said.

He explained that viruses reaching the testis enter what is known as an “immune-privileged” site protected by the blood-testis barrier (BTB).

“The testis is naturally shielded from the body’s immune system to protect newly formed sperm cells from being recognised and destroyed as ‘foreign’,” Dr. Rajeev said.

According to the expert, many viruses take advantage of this natural immune protection, allowing them to remain in the area longer than expected.

However, he clarified that although researchers detected viral RNA in semen, the virus itself could not be cultured, meaning there is no proof that the infectious virus remained present.

Also read: Ebola Outbreak: Rare Bundibugyo Strain Confirmed In DR Congo And Uganda

Can Hantavirus Spread Via Breast Milk?

Another study published in Emerging Infectious Diseases, a monthly open-access peer-reviewed medical journal published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, highlighted the risk of mother-to-child transmission of the Andes strain of hantavirus through breast milk.

Andes virus (ANDV) is the only hantavirus known to spread between humans through close contact.

“We detected the genome and proteins of ANDV in breast milk cells from an infected mother in Chile who transmitted the virus to her child, suggesting gastrointestinal infection through breast milk as a route of ANDV person-to-person transmission,” the study said.

Epidemiologist Dr. Amitav Banerjee, professor at DY Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, told HealthandMe that while isolated cases of hantavirus transmission from mother to child through breast milk have been reported, they are highly uncommon.

“These cases of hantavirus transmission through breast milk from mother to child are very rare. As a general rule, there is no need to worry excessively,” he said.

According to him, mothers experiencing fever during the acute stage of illness may temporarily avoid breastfeeding because viral load tends to be highest during active infection and just before symptoms appear. However, he stressed that breastfeeding should not be stopped routinely out of fear.

Dr. Amitav explained that the situation is somewhat comparable to HIV transmission through breast milk, which also occurs in less than 1 percent of cases. Despite that, mothers in many developing countries are still advised to continue breastfeeding because the health risks of depriving infants of breast milk are often greater than the risk of viral transmission.

He noted that hantavirus differs significantly from HIV because it is generally an acute and transient infection, unlike HIV, which persists lifelong in body fluids.

“Hantavirus infection is acute and transient, whereas HIV is lifelong,” he said, adding that hantavirus usually clears from the body after recovery, including from semen and other body fluids.

Sexual Transmission After Recovery Still Unclear

Dr. Rajeev noted that the Andes virus spreads primarily through close contact and shared personal space while a patient is symptomatic.

“Whether it can be sexually transmitted long after recovery remains unknown,” he said.

Overinterpreting RT-PCR Results

Dr. Amitav also cautioned against overinterpreting isolated reports of viral detection in semen or breast milk.

According to him, RT-PCR tests are extremely sensitive and may detect dead viral particles even after the infection has resolved. Therefore, a positive RT-PCR result does not necessarily mean that a person remains infectious.

“In fact, RT-PCR is highly sensitive and often used more for research and surveillance purposes. Detecting viral material does not always indicate active infection or transmission risk,” he said.

He added that hantavirus does not appear to persist as an infectious virus for a long period after recovery and that there is currently no strong evidence supporting long-term transmission once a patient has recovered.

India has recorded 6,927 dengue cases and 10 deaths so far in 2026, according to the latest data from the National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC).

According to the provisional data as of February this year, Tamil Nadu reported the highest number of cases at 2,873, followed by Maharashtra with 786, Kerala with 670, Karnataka with 560, and Andhra Pradesh with 448 cases. During the same period, Kerala reported nine deaths, while Tamil Nadu reported one death.

According to the Ministry of Health, the Case Fatality Rate (deaths per 100 cases) for dengue has remained below 1 per cent since 2008 and stood at 0.13 per cent in 2024.

The dengue burden in India has steadily increased over the past few years:

National Dengue Day: History And Theme

Launched in 2010, National Dengue Day is observed every year on May 16 as a pre-monsoon alert to help communities prepare before mosquito breeding peaks.

“On National Dengue Day, let us unite to spread awareness about dengue prevention and keep our surroundings clean and safe. The Government of India continues to strengthen dengue control through better surveillance, testing, improved treatment, and awareness campaigns,” said Jagat Prakash Nadda on the social media platform X.

“This year’s theme, ‘Community Participation for Dengue Control: Check, Clean and Cover,’ reminds us that community action is key to defeating dengue,” he added.

Dengue Vaccines In India

Notably, India is currently developing an indigenous dengue vaccine that is undergoing clinical trials.

“The trials will take at least two and a half years, which means by the end of 2028, we will have the results,” said Dr. N K Arora, Member of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization in India (NTAGI), speaking to HealthandMe.

He highlighted the severity of dengue when it progresses from a mild illness to a severe one, particularly among young adults.

The vaccine is expected to play a crucial role in protecting the 10–20 age group, which is considered more susceptible to severe dengue cases.

Also read:Ebola Resurfaces In Eastern DR Congo In 17th Outbreak, Claims 65 Lives: All You Need To Know

“We are waiting for the results of the trials, and once the vaccine is recommended by the NTAGI, the system will be ready to adopt it,” Dr. Arora added.

Meanwhile, Qdenga, a dengue vaccine developed by the Japanese pharmaceutical company named Takeda Pharma, is expected to be rolled out soon in the country.

The vaccine TAK-003 will be available in India through a manufacturing partnership with Hyderabad-based Biological E (Bio E), in line with the 'Make in India' initiative.

What Is Dengue?

Dengue is a viral infection transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes and is common in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.

Mild dengue causes high fever and flu-like symptoms. However, in some cases, it can progress to severe dengue, also known as dengue hemorrhagic fever, which may lead to serious bleeding, shock, and death.

Dengue is considered the most prevalent viral infection transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. More than 3.9 billion people across over 132 countries are at risk, with an estimated 96 million symptomatic cases and around 40,000 deaths annually worldwide.

Symptoms Of Dengue Fever

Symptoms usually appear 4–10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito and may vary in severity. Common symptoms include:

• High fever
• Severe headache
• Pain behind the eyes
• Joint and muscle pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fatigue
• Skin rashes appearing a few days after fever onset

In severe cases, dengue may cause excessive bleeding, a sudden drop in blood pressure, and organ complications.

How To Prevent Dengue

Preventing dengue mainly involves reducing mosquito exposure and eliminating mosquito breeding sites. Effective preventive measures include:

• Using insect repellents containing DEET
• Wearing long-sleeved clothing, especially during dawn and dusk
• Installing screens on windows and doors
• Using mosquito nets while sleeping in endemic areas
• Eliminating stagnant water in flower pots, gutters, and containers
• Using mosquito traps or insecticide-treated materials in mosquito-prone areas.