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We all enjoy a good slushie every now and then. While they do not add any great nutritional value to our meal, they are a delightful snack made with shredded ice and sugar. To make them more accessible to people who cannot or do not wish to have sugar, there are many sugar free options to pick from. However, a recent study has revealed that sugar-free slushies containing glycerol, which is a sugar alcohol used to maintain their icy texture, can cause severe health problems in young children. The study was published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood, it explains that having these sugar free slushies can lead to children having a condition called "glycerol intoxication syndrome". In this condition there is a rapid drop in blood sugar, reduced consciousness, and a buildup of acid in the blood.
Kids who drank slushies with glycerol got sick very quickly. Within an hour, they started showing serious symptoms. Their blood sugar would plummet, sometimes dangerously low. Many became confused or lost consciousness, and some even had seizures. Doctors studied 21 children who got sick from these drinks between 2018 and 2024. Most of these kids were very young, seven years old or younger. By the time they got to the hospital, many were in bad shape, either unconscious or barely awake. This quick reaction time makes it especially scary, as parents might not realize the slushy is the cause right away. It's important to recognize these signs fast.
According to WebMD Glycerol is a type of naturally occurring alcohol, and it's used in lots of food products. You might find it in protein bars, diet foods, and even sugar-free candies. In slushies, it plays a key role in keeping the drink icy. Usually, slushies use tons of sugar to stop them from freezing completely. But because people are trying to cut back on sugar, companies are using glycerol instead. This is especially true in places with "sugar taxes," where sugary drinks cost more. So, to make sugar-free versions, they add glycerol. This switch means more kids are being exposed to this ingredient, which can be harmful to them.
The study explains that little kids are more at risk from glycerol because their bodies are still growing and developing. Their tiny bodies and young metabolisms might not be able to handle glycerol as well as adults' bodies can. This means that even a small amount can cause a big problem. Also, the amount of glycerol in a slushy can vary, and it's hard to know exactly how much is safe. Factors like how fast they drink it, if they've eaten recently, or if they've been exercising can also make a difference. Even the standard size of a slushy drink can be too much for a small child. This makes it hard to give a safe dose.
Health authorities in the UK and Ireland have already started warning about glycerol in slushies. They suggest that kids under four shouldn't have them at all, and older kids should only have one at most. But doctors are worried that these warnings might not be enough. They point out that it's hard to know how much glycerol is actually in each drink, making it difficult to give safe advice. Parents are being told to be very careful and consider avoiding these drinks altogether for young children. In the US, glycerol is approved for use in food, but parents should still be aware of the potential risks. More research is needed to understand the full impact.
Dehydration can lead to poor concentration in women. (Photo credit: iStock)
Ladies, does it ever happen to you that you are not on your period, not PMSing, and still feel moody and upset? Well, as it turns out, experts say that there could be a very simple reason for this. According to researchers at the University of Connecticut, even mild dehydration could be responsible for mood changes in women. Not only this, even 1.36 per cent dehydration can affect your mood, ability to think and energy levels. The Daily Mail notes that a loss of 1.5 per cent of normal water volume levels in the body can be classified as mild dehydration, and its adverse effects can linger for some time.
Read more: The Health Problems Women Normalise, But Gynaecologists Do Not
In women, the adverse effects of dehydration can be serious. Experts say that the effects are more intense in women, and they came to this conclusion after analysing the results of tests, which revealed that it does not matter if a person walks for 40 minutes on a treadmill or is in a state of rest — if an individual is even slightly thirsty, the adverse effects will be the same.
Research shows that even 1.36 per cent dehydration is enough to cause the following problems:
Is thirst the same as dehydration?
Lead researcher of the study, Lawrence Armstrong, noted that a sensation of thirst does not appear until a person is one or two per cent dehydrated. By then, it starts to set in and act up, adversely impacting how the mind and body perform. Dehydration can affect everyone, which is why it is just as important for people in desk jobs to stay hydrated as it is for marathon runners.
Read more: Three Health Checks Every Woman Should Do Each Month, According To Experts
In this research, experts put participants through a series of tests evaluating their concentration, vigilance, reaction time, reasoning, memory and learning. The results were then compared with those of people who were not dehydrated. In younger women, mild dehydration resulted in fatigue, headaches and concentration difficulties. Women also found basic tasks more difficult to execute than usual. On the other hand, young men noted some difficulty in performing mental tasks — they experienced anxiety, fatigue and tension in the process. Mood changes were more prominent in women than in men.
The oral microbiome is the community of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that naturally live in the mouth — on the teeth, gums, tongue, and cheeks. More than
700 species are known to exist, most of which are harmless and many beneficial.
However, problems arise when harmful bacteria outnumber protective ones, leading to gum inflammation or periodontal disease. During pregnancy, hormonal changes increase blood flow to the gums and alter immune responses. As a result, many women notice bleeding, swelling, or sensitivity in the gums — a condition known as pregnancy gingivitis.
This is common and reflects physiological changes rather than poor hygiene.
Pregnancy is a systemic state in which the immune system, circulation, and inflammation are closely interconnected. Chronic gum inflammation can release inflammatory mediators into the bloodstream.
In research settings, certain oral bacteria have also been detected in placental tissues from complicated pregnancies. This suggests a biological link between oral health and
placental function, although the exact pathways are still being studied.
Importantly, this relationship reflects association rather than direct causation.
The placenta is an active organ that regulates oxygen and nutrient transfer, hormone production, and immune protection for the developing baby.
Healthy placental development supports:
Up to 60–75 percent of pregnant women experience some degree of gum inflammation. Common changes include:
Research from India and globally shows associations between periodontal disease and higher risks of preterm birth, low birth weight, and preeclampsia. Meta-analyses
suggest a modest increase in risk (around 1.5–2 times).
However, pregnancy complications are multifactorial. Oral disease alone does not directly cause these outcomes. Genetics, nutrition, metabolic health, and placental
biology all play important roles.
Treating gum disease improves oral health and reduces inflammation, though studies show mixed evidence on whether it directly lowers preterm birth risk. The goal is
prevention, awareness, and overall maternal health.
Daily oral care:
Pregnancy already carries emotional and physical changes, and dental symptoms can add anxiety. Support from partners and family members helps reduce mental load.
Stress can influence immunity and inflammation. Adequate rest, gentle activity such as walking or prenatal yoga, and open communication with healthcare providers
support both oral and overall health.
Seek professional advice if you notice:
Pregnancy is a time when different systems of the body work in close coordination. Oral health, immune balance, and placental function are part of the same continuum.
Gentle attention to gum health is not about perfection. It is about creating supportive conditions for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
Hormonal imbalances can adversely affect women's health overtime. (Photo credit: iStock)
Hormonal imbalance plays an important role in the development of endometrial cancer, which is one of the most common types of gynaecological cancers worldwide. The endometrium is the inner lining of the uterus and is highly sensitive to hormonal changes, particularly the balance between oestrogen and progesterone. When the body is exposed to excess oestrogen without adequate progesterone, the endometrial lining grows excessively. Over time, this prolonged stimulation leads to abnormal cell changes and increases the risk of developing endometrial cancer or uterine cancer.
Dr Fahad Afzal, Consultant Oncologist at Saifee Hospital, while talking about the impact of lifestyle on hormones, said, “Several lifestyle and health conditions can contribute to this hormonal imbalance. Obesity is one of the most significant risk factors because excess body fat increases oestrogen production. Women who are obese therefore have higher levels of oestrogen, which stimulates the uterine lining. Moreover, conditions like PCOS, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome are also associated with hormonal disturbances that elevate the risk.”
A sedentary lifestyle and an unhealthy diet further worsen hormonal imbalance and inflammation in the body. Additionally, irregular menstrual cycles, early onset of menstruation, late menopause, and not having children increase lifetime oestrogen exposure.
Read more: Oncologists Warns Of The Cancer Rising Among Women in India
The encouraging aspect is that several of these risk factors are modifiable. Maintaining a healthy body weight, engaging in regular physical activity, and following a balanced diet help regulate these hormones and reduce the risks. Managing conditions like PCOS and diabetes with guidance from a trained medical professional is also important.
Equally important is awareness of symptoms. Any abnormal uterine bleeding or vaginal bleeding, especially after menopause, should never be ignored and requires prompt medical evaluation. Early detection of endometrial cancer often leads to good outcomes. Understanding the relationship between lifestyle, hormone balance, and cancer risk can help women take proactive steps towards prevention and timely diagnosis.

Dr Smit Sheth, cancer physician at M|O|C Mulund, said, “Hormones play a crucial role in a woman’s reproductive health, but when they fall out of balance, they can also increase the risk of certain cancers, including endometrial cancer. Endometrial cancer, which affects the lining of the uterus, is one of the most common gynaecological cancers in India. According to World Health Organization data, its incidence is steadily rising, particularly in urban populations where lifestyle changes are more pronounced.”
At the core of this risk lies an imbalance between two key hormones: oestrogen and progesterone. When oestrogen levels remain high without adequate progesterone to counteract it, the uterine lining can grow excessively, increasing the chance of abnormal cell changes over time. Modern lifestyle factors are significantly contributing to this imbalance. Rising obesity rates, sedentary habits, delayed pregnancies, and conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are increasingly common among Indian women.
Fat tissue itself produces oestrogen, meaning overweight women often have higher circulating levels of this hormone. Studies suggest that obese women may have up to 2–4 times higher risk of developing endometrial cancer compared to those with a healthy weight. Additionally, irregular menstrual cycles, early onset of menstruation, and late menopause further extend lifetime oestrogen exposure, compounding the risk.
“Lifestyle today is a major driver of hormonal imbalance,” explains Dr Smit Sheth, cancer physician at M|O|C Mulund. “Obesity, lack of physical activity, and unmanaged metabolic conditions can silently increase oestrogen levels. Over time, this creates a favourable environment for endometrial cancer to develop, especially if symptoms like abnormal bleeding are ignored.”
Read more: Think Your Hormones Are Out Of Balance? Doctors Reveal The Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
Can endometrial cancer be detected in time?
The good news is that endometrial cancer is often detectable early. Warning signs such as postmenopausal bleeding, irregular periods, or unusual discharge should never be overlooked. Simple lifestyle changes, maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, a balanced diet, and timely medical check-ups can significantly reduce risk. In a country like India, where awareness remains limited, early education and proactive health behaviour are key to prevention.
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