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.

This year had been a year of flu, fiver, bacterial illness and more. One of the over the counter medicine that many people often buy, or is prescribed, especially for bacterial infections is Amoxicillin.

What Is Amoxicillin?

It is a widely prescribed antibiotic that is used to treat bacterial infections in children and adults. It is part of the penicillin class of medications and it inhibits the growth of bacteria and allows the immune system to efficiently eliminate the infection. It is commonly used to treat bacterial infections affecting the respiratory tract, urinary tract, and skin.

However, about 5 to 10 per cent of children prescribed this may develop skin rashes as a common side effect. A rash can develop in two forms: allergic and non-allergic. A rash from the drug Amoxicillin could last up to a week.

What Kind Of Rashes Are Caused By Amoxicillin?

A Maculopapular rash is a flat rash that occurs like red patches, raised bumps and spreads over the body.

Hives are itchy, raised red or skin-colored welts that can change shape and location.

Erythema Multiforme are more severe, featuring target-like lesions or bull's-eye shapes with central red spot, pale ring, and red outer ring.

Anaphylactic Reaction is a rare but severe allergic reaction that includes symptoms like difficulty in breathing, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, hives and rapid drop in blood pressure.

Non-Allergic Amoxicillin Rash are flat, red spots that may be slightly raised, but not harmful. These usually appear o the 5th to 7th day after the start of amoxicillin and can appear on the chest, abdomen, back, face, arms, and legs. It may get worse before it starts to get better.

What Signs Should You Look Out For?

Warning signs include rashes within two hours of the first amoxicillin dose, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or very itchy hives.

The allergic reaction is caused by one's immune system reacting to that medication as if it were a foreign invader in the body.

More girls than boys develop these rashes, and in children this is even more common. In fact, the rash by amoxicillin was first noted in 1960s, in children who were being treated with ampicillin, recorded the Journal of Pediatrics.

What Can You Do If You Get Amoxicillin Rashes?

Among treatment, the first step should be to see your physician and immediately stop taking the medication. Drinking water and enough fluids can also help. Your doctor too would prescribe you medications and lotions to soothe your itching.

Hives can also be treated with the over the counter drug Benadryl. However, you must go see your doctor or GP, and not self medicate.

A doctor may treat the rash in various ways, including stopping the medication as the first line of defense. Then the doctor may give oral antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine) for the itch. Some doctors may use topical steroids to help with the itch and redness.

Before visiting your doctor, take photos of your rash, send it to your GP, as if it is contagious. Even after you start the treatment, stay in touch with your healthcare provider for any development.

The World Health Organization (WHO), notes that 36% of world's rabies deaths come from India, and a 2024 Lancet study notes that the country accounts for over one-third of global rabies deaths. When we spoke to Dr Aniket Mule, Consultant Internal Medicine at KIMS Hospital, Thane, he said that it is not just dog bites that lead to rabies, but it could happen from any rabies-susceptible animal. The first line of defense after you clear your wound immediately is to get the rabies vaccine. "Rabies vaccination is required for bites or scratches from any rabies-susceptible animal, including cats, monkeys, bats, foxes, and other wild mammals," he pointed out. As the country's apex court ruled and issued directives on stray dogs, focusing on public safety by ordering their removal, global health organizations, including WHO point out that this is not the right way to deal with rabies issue. Comprehensive methods including evidence=based strategies that center on mass dog vaccination is the key to the problem.

However, before this could be implemented, here's what you should know about dog bites and rabies.

What To Do After A Dog Bites Or Scratches You?

Dr Mule points out that even when there are minor scratches, without bleeding, you must get a rabies shot. "Rabies can be contracted through broken skin. Such exposures still require medical evaluation and, in most cases, rabies vaccination."

Read: In An 'Exceptionally Rare' Case, Man Dies Of Rabies After Kidney Transplant

What Should One Do Immediately After Being Bitten Or Scratched?

• Wash the wound immediately for at least 15 minutes with soap and running water
• Apply an antiseptic such as povidone-iodine
• Do not apply home remedies like turmeric, chili or oil
• Seek medical care promptly for rabies vaccination and possible immunoglobin

Dr Mule points out that the rabies vaccine should be started as soon as possible. "Ideally within 24 hours of a bite or scratch. However, even if there is a delay of days or weeks, vaccination should still be started immediately as rabies has a variable incubation period," he says.

After the bite, the immediate medical attention involves rabies post-exposure prophylaxis or PEP, and with a tetanus booster. Some rabies vaccines also use saline water as the diluent to reconstitute the freeze-dried powder before injection.

Read: Australia Issues Advisory Warning Travelers Of Counterfeit Rabies Vaccines Found In India

The temperature of the vaccine matters. "Rabies vaccines are temperature-sensitive and must be stored between 2°C and 8°C. Exposure to heat or freezing can reduce vaccine potency. Poor cold-chain maintenance is a known reason for vaccine failure in rare cases," points out the doctor.

Cases Of Rabies Coming Back After Vaccination Course Has Been Done

Dr Mule points out that in order to avoid such things happening, one must ensure immediate wound washing, timely vaccination, and correct use of Rabies Immunoglobulin or RIG. Rabies can come back if these following things occur:

• Delay in starting vaccination
• Failure to administer Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) in severe (Category III) exposures
• Improper wound cleaning
• Incorrect injection site (gluteal region)
• Poor vaccine storage (cold-chain failure)

Dr Mule points out that the vaccine should be given intramuscularly in the deltoid or upper arms for adults, as gluteal or buttock injections could lead to inadequate absorption and reduce effectiveness.

How Many Doses Should One Get?

• For someone not previously vaccinated, the current standard is 4 doses on days 0, 3, 7, and 14 (intramuscular schedule).
• In some government programs or intradermal schedules, 3–4 doses may be advised.
• Previously vaccinated individuals require only 2 booster doses (days 0 and 3).

The exact schedule depends on vaccination history and the protocol followed.

Winter in India is often associated with sardio ke laddoo, but also with increasingly sedentary lifestyle, worsening air pollution, all of which leads to more time spending home than to going out, taking a stroll, working out and more. This is why as winter sets in, India also sees a quiet but consistent rise in non communicable diseases, or NCDs, conditions that now account for nearly two thirds of all deaths in the country. Heart disease, diabetes, thyroid disorders, fatty liver disease and arthritis continue to rise across age groups, driven by sedentary lifestyles, dietary excess and delayed diagnosis.

Winter can further aggravate these risks. Physical activity drops, calorie dense foods become routine, sunlight exposure reduces and metabolism changes. Studies and hospital data in India have repeatedly shown that heart attacks and strokes tend to spike during colder months. Blood vessels constrict, blood viscosity increases and cholesterol levels often rise. Blood sugar control also becomes more challenging, while joint pain and stiffness worsen for many.

Dr. Mayanka Lodha Seth, Chief Pathologist at Redcliffe Labs, says the problem is not seasonal food but seasonal neglect. “Traditional winter foods are not harmful on their own. The real risk comes from consuming them without understanding what is happening inside the body,” she explains. “Winter tends to mask symptoms while quietly worsening internal imbalances.”

With India already home to over 100 million people living with diabetes and a similar number estimated to be prediabetic, preventive testing becomes crucial. Doctors recommend five key tests that can offer a clearer picture of health before winter indulgence begins.

Blood Sugar Levels

Diabetes is one of the fastest growing NCDs in India, and a large proportion of cases remain undiagnosed. Winter diets high in sugar and fat can trigger frequent glucose spikes. Testing fasting blood sugar and HbA1c helps identify early risk and prevents long term complications affecting nerves, kidneys and the heart.

Lipid Profile

High cholesterol is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease, which remains India’s leading cause of death. Reduced activity in winter often pushes lipid levels higher. A lipid profile helps assess heart risk and guides dietary and lifestyle moderation before damage sets in.

Liver Function Test

Non alcoholic fatty liver disease is increasingly common in India, even among younger adults. Excess sugar and fat intake during winter can worsen liver fat accumulation. Early liver testing can flag reversible changes before they progress to chronic liver disease.

Thyroid Function Test

Thyroid disorders affect millions in India, especially women, and often go unnoticed. Symptoms like weight gain, fatigue and cold intolerance are frequently brushed off as winter sluggishness. A simple thyroid test helps distinguish seasonal lethargy from hormonal imbalance.

Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 Levels

Vitamin D deficiency is widespread due to limited sun exposure in winter, while Vitamin B12 deficiency remains common because of dietary patterns. Both deficiencies are linked to low immunity, muscle pain, bone weakness and worsening joint discomfort.

Dr. Seth adds, “Preventive diagnostic testing allows people to make informed choices. It helps them enjoy winter foods in moderation without unknowingly worsening an underlying condition.”

As NCD related healthcare costs continue to rise in India, early testing offers both health and financial protection. Winter comfort does not have to come at the cost of long term health. Staying informed may be the most effective preventive step this season.