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.

In my 13 years of working with clients as a trauma-informed consulting psychologist, I have often noticed that people recognise nervous-system overload only after their body forces them to slow down.

Until then, they may describe themselves as “too sensitive”, “lazy” or “unable to cope”. In reality, these reactions are often the nervous system’s attempt to protect us.

Fight, Flight, Freeze Or Shutdown

Our nervous system continually assesses whether we are safe. When stress feels persistent or overwhelming, the body may move into fight or flight.

We might become irritable, restless, anxious or unusually controlling. The heart may race, muscles tighten and sleep become disturbed. At other times, the system may shift towards freeze or shutdown, showing up as exhaustion, emotional numbness, procrastination, forgetfulness or a strong desire to withdraw.

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When Everyday Reactions May Signal Overload

For example, someone who becomes disproportionately angry over a minor delay may not simply have an “anger problem”; their system may already be carrying days or months of accumulated stress. Another person may sit before a simple email for hours, unable to respond.

What looks like avoidance may actually be a freeze response. Some people remain highly productive while feeling disconnected from their bodies, until headaches, digestive difficulties or fatigue begin demanding attention.

These signs do not automatically indicate trauma or a mental health condition. They are invitations to become curious: What has my system been carrying? When did I last feel rested, supported or genuinely safe?

Small Ways To Help The Body Feel Safer

If you notice these patterns, begin gently. Reduce unnecessary stimulation, eat regularly, protect your sleep and spend time with people around whom you do not have to perform. Slow breathing—particularly allowing the exhale to be longer—may help signal safety. You can also look around the room, notice your feet on the floor and name what you can see and hear. Small, repeated experiences of safety are often more helpful than forcing yourself to “calm down”.

If symptoms persist, interfere with daily life or feel difficult to manage alone, speaking with a trauma-informed therapist can help you understand the patterns beneath them. Therapy is not only for moments of crisis; it can offer a safe space to listen to what the nervous system has been communicating all along.

The body is rarely working against us. Often, it is asking for care in the only language it knows.

By Ms Arouba Kabir, Psychologist & Therapist, Founder - Enso Wellness

Someone who is dying may start to their loved ones who passed away years ago. This could be unsettling and confusing for families and relatives who may assume that the person is just hallucinating or undergoing a deeper neurological issue.

But hospice physician Dr Christopher Kerr says such experiences are a known phenomenon called end-of-life dreams and visions (ELDVs). Kerr, chief medical officer of Hospice Buffalo, has spent decades studying these experiences in dying patients extensively.

Appearing on The Oprah Podcast, he told Oprah Winfrey that many patients near death describe seeing deceased relatives or people who cared for them during their lives. The experiences can feel completely real to them.

Why Do People Near Death See Deceased Loved Ones?

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One of the possibilities is that the brain experiences significant changes as the body starts to shut down.

Alterations in sleep, consciousness, metabolism, oxygen levels, medications, and brain chemistry can all affect perception during the final stages of life.

Dr. Rakesh Lalla, Additional Director - Neurology, Fortis Hospital, Mumbai, told HealthandMe, " These visions could be explained by the alterations that occur within the brain as the body starts to close down. Due to oxygen deprivation and altered brain activity, the brain would process memories, feelings, and stimuli differently. The areas responsible for memory processing and vision could become stimulated or disrupted, which could result in some vivid visions or experiences."

The expert also said that these visions do not mean that the person has a neurological or psychiatric issue.

Dr. Lalla said, "They do not necessarily mean that the person is confused or suffering from a psychiatric condition. In many cases, they are brief, peaceful, and emotionally meaningful to the individual. We still do not fully understand why particular people or memories appear."

The neurologist also advised families to stay supportive and calm during such situations.

He added, "The brain’s complex relationship between memory, emotion and perception is likely to play an important role. For families, the key is to remain calm, listen without dismissing the experience, and provide reassurance and comfort."

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Hallucinations Or Part Of The Dying Process?

Experts who have been studying ELDVs have also found that these experiences have some distinctive patterns that do not resemble random hallucinations.

In a 2014 longitudinal study led by Kerr, most of the 59 hospice patients who completed the study reported at least one dream or vision. Almost half occurred during sleep, and nearly all patients said the experiences felt real. The most common involved deceased friends or relatives or other loved ones. In fact, comforting visions of deceased people became more common as patients moved closer to death.

A 2026 systematic review of 13 studies similarly found that ELDVs occurred in at least one in five dying adults.

The National Institute on Aging also states that dying people may appear to see or talk to someone who is not present and may report dreams involving deceased relatives or friends. Such experiences are often comforting, and caregivers are generally advised not to immediately correct or challenge the person.

Seeing Loved Ones Could Be A Comforting End

Kerr said that patients seeing deceased loved ones in their visions appeared calmer afterward. His research suggests that these experiences may carry deep emotional meaning for patients.

“Very little is said between the person in the dream and the dreamer, but everything seems to be understood,” Kerr told Oprah.

Scientists still cannot say exactly what produces these experiences or whether they represent anything beyond changes occurring in the dying brain.

India accounts for one-fifth of global deaths due to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) or complications related to the heart and blood vessels. Moreover, women are more vulnerable to these complications. Recent data show that women (14%) have a higher prevalence of CVD than men (12%), making preventive care very important for all.

When Should A Heart Check-up Be Done?

The human heart works constantly and efficiently and can compensate for metabolic stress and narrowing of blood vessels without showing any obvious symptoms. Hence, a heart health evaluation should ideally take place when the person is feeling completely well, long before any warning signs appear.

While acute symptoms, such as chest pressure or tightness, unexplained breathlessness, fainting, or unusual fatigue on effort, demand immediate attention, true heart protection occurs through early and planned tests. While heart check-ups are routinely recommended starting at age 40, screening should ideally begin earlier, around ages 30 to 35, especially if risk factors are present.

Starting check-ups at age 30 is important because certain congenital and structural heart conditions remain completely silent for years, and early screening ensures timely, targeted treatment when it is most effective.

Regular screening helps detect and rule out underlying issues early, including congenital heart defects (commonly known as holes in the heart) and conditions such as Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), or Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA). Structural and muscle diseases, on the other hand, include valve disorders, heart muscle weakness, or abnormal thickening of the heart walls (e.g., Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy (HOCM)).

Key Risk Factors

In addition to age, patients should seek a heart check-up sooner if they have any of the following risk factors:

• Strong family history of premature heart disease in immediate relatives.
• History of active or past smoking and tobacco use.
• Metabolic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or elevated blood cholesterol.

Excess body weight, especially central or abdominal obesity. Excess body weight damages the kidneys, leads to fat deposits in the liver and increases the risk of developing diabetes, and ultimately increases the strain on the heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular system). These interconnected conditions are known as Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) syndrome and include heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, stetotic (fatty) liver disease, and obesity.

Effective weight and metabolic management, through modern options such as oral or injectable GLP1 therapies, can improve long-term heart health.

Tailoring care

A heart check-up can involve several tests, from blood tests to invasive or non-invasive ones (with/without needles, catheters, or probes entering the body). The most common blood tests include fasting and post-prandial or after-meal blood sugar (FBG/PPBG), HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin), lipid and thyroid profile, and kidney function tests. Non-invasive cardiac tests include electrocardiogram (ECG), 2D echocardiogram, and ultrasound. However, not everyone needs all of them.

Diagnostic tests should be customized based on the person’s age, symptoms, and individual risk score. Hence, skip the urge to self-order commercial diagnostic packages online. Instead, take the most important step towards protecting your heart by talking to your doctor. A personalized assessment can help determine which tests, if any, are appropriate for you, so that you can focus on the right steps to keep your heart healthy.