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.

Rapid Onset of Symptoms

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.

Why is Glycerol Harmful?

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.

What Does Glycerol Damage Children's Health?

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.

In a global first, India's drug regulator has approved a fully synthetic cannabidiol (CBD) therapy for the treatment of mild to moderate anxiety disorders, marking a significant milestone in cannabinoid-based medicine.

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has granted regulatory approval to Zenara Pharma, the manufacturing partner of Leiutis Pharmaceuticals, to produce a synthetic cannabidiol oral solution (150 mg/ml). The prescription-only therapy is intended to be used alongside cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for managing mild to moderate anxiety disorders.

In a statement, Leiutis Pharmaceuticals said the approval follows a successful Phase III clinical trial conducted in India under CDSCO guidelines. A Phase IV post-marketing study will now be carried out to further evaluate the therapy.

World's First Fully Synthetic CBD Therapy

Leiutis noted that "this is the first regulatory approval anywhere in the world for a fully synthetic cannabidiol oral solution for anxiety disorders".

K. Chandrasekhar, CEO and Managing Partner of Leiutis Pharmaceuticals LLP, said the approval is the result of nearly a decade of cannabinoid research, including the development of a proprietary synthetic cannabinoid manufacturing process, novel drug-delivery technology, and extensive preclinical and clinical studies.

“Developed entirely in India and protected by patents in key markets, this approval is a significant milestone for our innovation pipeline, paving the way for next-generation cannabinoids. We thank the Government of India, clinical investigators, researchers and study participants who made it possible,” Chandrasekhar said.

What Is the New CBD Therapy?

The newly approved medicine contains a fully synthetic cannabidiol (CBD) active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), meaning no cannabis plant material is used in its production.

The therapy combines:

• A synthetic cannabidiol API developed by Biophore India Pharmaceuticals.
• Leiutis Pharmaceuticals' proprietary nanodispersible drug-delivery platform to improve absorption.
• Manufacturing by Zenara Pharma at facilities compliant with CDSCO, US FDA and European regulatory standards.

Biophore has also filed a United States Drug Master File (US DMF) for the synthetic CBD manufacturing process, reflecting internationally recognized quality standards.

Why This Approval Matters

The approval comes at a time when anxiety disorders are rising sharply in India. According to a recent analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study published in The Lancet, anxiety disorders in India increased by 123.5% between 1990 and 2023.

The prevalence rose from 2,591.9 cases per lakh population in 1990 to 5,792.8 cases per lakh in 2023, driven largely by increasing rates of anxiety and depression.

What Is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the naturally occurring compounds found in hemp and cannabis plants. Unlike THC, it does not produce intoxicating effects.

CBD has been studied for several potential therapeutic uses, including:

• Reducing anxiety symptoms
• Relieving chronic pain
• Improving sleep
• Managing certain seizure disorders
• Reducing inflammation

The newly approved product, however, uses synthetic CBD, which is produced entirely in a laboratory rather than extracted from the cannabis plant. Synthetic CBD offers a highly consistent and contaminant-free formulation, helping standardize dosing and quality.

Does CBD Have Proven Medical Benefits?

CBD already has established medical use in certain seizure disorders in some countries and continues to be investigated for a range of other conditions, including anxiety, chronic pain, inflammation and schizophrenia.

CBD is generally well-tolerated, but some users may experience mild side effects like drowsiness, reduced appetite, or diarrhea. Side effects are often due to interactions with other medications.

For many women, the last day of treatment feels like crossing a finish line they have been running toward for months. There is relief, there is gratitude, and there is often a quiet sense of disbelief that it is actually behind them. But finishing treatment is not really the end of the journey. It is the start of a new chapter—one we call survivorship—and it deserves just as much care and attention as everything that came before. Understanding what lies ahead can make all the difference between living in fear and living well.

Follow-Up Care Must Continue

Recovery does not mean walking away from the hospital. In the first few years after treatment, survivors are usually asked to return for follow-ups. The reason behind this is simple: if cancer ever returns, catching it early gives the best chance of treating it successfully. Or in many cases it a good habit to keep a check and boost confidence to the survivors.

Impact of treatment

What often surprises many women is that the impact of cancer treatment may continue even after active treatment ends. Recovery is a gradual process, and experiences can vary significantly from one individual to another depending on the type of cancer, treatment approach, and overall health. In terms of breast cancer, some women may continue to face physical, emotional, or lifestyle-related challenges during survivorship, while others may require ongoing therapies or follow-up care to reduce the risk of recurrence. What must always be remembered is that these issues cannot be addressed in silence. Open communication between the woman and her treatment team may allow problems to be sorted out in time, with the proper support being provided.

Emotional Health Deserves Equal Attention

Healing is not only physical. Many survivors carry a constant worry about whether the cancer will come back, while others feel strangely lost once the busy routine of treatment falls away. These emotions are completely natural and nothing to be ashamed of. Speaking to a counsellor, joining a support group, or simply being honest with the care team can lighten the burden enormously.

Healthy Habits Support Recovery

The choices made every day genuinely shape long-term health. Eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, and staying active with something as simple as a thirty-minute walk most days, makes a real difference. Keeping to a healthy weight is especially important, because carrying excess weight is linked to a higher chance of the cancer returningi. Cutting back on alcohol and staying away from tobacco add further protection.

Adjusting to Physical Changes

The body changes after cancer and coming to terms with this takes time. Worries about appearance and intimacy are entirely understandable, and they are worth raising during clinic visits, because often there are practical ways to help.

Be an Informed Advocate

No one understands a patient's body better than the patient herself, which is why every survivor should feel empowered to ask questions. Before treatment ends, it is wise to request a survivorship care plan. This is a summary of the treatment received, together with a clear schedule for future check-ups. Such a document becomes an invaluable guide, both for the survivor and for any doctor she may see in the years ahead.

Looking Ahead

Survivorship is rarely a straight line. There will be good days and harder ones, moments of confidence and moments of doubt. With regular check-ups, a few sensible habits, and the support of people who care, life after breast cancer can be every bit as rich and full as before—sometimes even more so. Because in the end, the goal of cancer treatment was never just to help women survive. It was always to help them truly live.

More than 57 million people worldwide are living with dementia, a number expected to triple to over 152 million by 2050. While there is still no cure, growing evidence suggests that healthy lifestyle changes can help improve brain health and preserve cognitive function in older adults at risk of dementia.

A major study published in The Lancet suggests that adopting healthy lifestyle habits can significantly improve memory and thinking skills in older adults at risk of dementia.

The study found that a culturally adapted, structured lifestyle program delivered across 11 Latin American countries produced meaningful improvements in cognitive function over two years. Participants in the intensive program showed 55 per cent greater improvement in overall cognition than those who received general health advice.

Lead author Lucia Crivelli, principal investigator at Fleni, a neurological institute in Buenos Aires, Argentina, said culturally adapted lifestyle interventions can be successfully implemented across diverse communities and "deliver cognitive benefits" for people at risk of dementia.

"Addressing multiple lifestyle factors can positively impact brain health and may eventually be combined with emerging drug therapies to reduce cognitive decline and dementia risk," added Heather M. Snyder, senior vice president of medical and scientific relations at the Alzheimer's Association.

What Did The Study Find?

Also read: Osteoporosis Affects Nearly 20% Of US Women Aged 50+: Why Screening Is Key

The clinical trial enrolled 1,065 adults aged 60 to 77 years at increased risk of cognitive decline across 12 sites in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay.

Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The Systematic Lifestyle Intervention (SLI) group received ongoing coaching, supervised exercise, personalized nutrition counselling, cognitive training and regular monitoring of cardiovascular risk factors. The Flexible Lifestyle Intervention (FLI) group received general lifestyle recommendations through periodic health education sessions without continuous coaching or supervision.

The structured program combined supervised exercise, a brain-healthy MIND diet, computer-based cognitive training, regular monitoring of blood pressure, blood sugar and weight, and social engagement activities designed to encourage accountability and interaction.

To improve participation, the intervention was adapted to local cultures. Exercise sessions incorporated familiar activities such as salsa and tango, while nutrition counselling focused on regionally available foods including avocado, quinoa, açaí, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds and aguaymanto.

Read More: Study Decodes Why COVID Survivors Continue To Suffer Vision Problems

After two years, participants in the structured intervention experienced:

• 55 per cent greater improvement in overall cognitive performance than those in the flexible intervention group.

• The largest gains in memory.

• Significant improvements in executive function, including planning and decision-making.

• Faster processing speed.

The cognitive benefits were consistent regardless of participants' age, education level, ethnicity or genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease.

The authors noted that while the program improved performance on cognitive tests, it did not determine whether the intervention prevents dementia. They said longer-term follow-up is needed to establish whether these cognitive improvements ultimately reduce the risk of developing the disease.

What Is Dementia?

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a significant decline in mental function that is serious enough to affect everyday life. It commonly impacts memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. Dementia itself is not a single disease but a collection of symptoms caused by underlying conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia.

Common signs include

• memory problems,
• confusion,
• difficulty finding words,
• changes in mood or behavior,
• trouble completing familiar tasks.