A new study published in the journal Pharmaceutics and cited by Prevention examined 103 types of tablets with a special coating designed to ensure that the medication is released later in the digestive system.
In the laboratory, researchers tested the tablets with beverages including soft drinks, apple juice, milk, tea, tap water, and mineral water.
They found that some drinks affected the tablets’ protective coating more than others.
Limited guidance
The researchers also reviewed the information provided with the various medications.
They found that the instructions rarely mention which beverages the medication should be taken with.
At the same time, the researchers emphasize that the study was conducted only in a laboratory.
More studies involving humans are therefore needed before the full significance of the findings can be be determined.
The safest choice
According to experts interviewed by Prevention, ordinary tap water or bottled water is the best choice when taking medication, unless the patient information leaflet states otherwise.
The study found that alkaline mineral water, in particular, could cause some tablets to release their medication earlier than intended.
This could mean that the body does not absorb the medication as intended.
Based on the findings, the experts therefore recommend that medication should generally be taken with plain water.
The recommendation applies especially to delayed-release tablets while researchers await further studies.
Many people find that they pay more attention to their mistakes than to the things they do well.
According to trauma therapist Rey Junco of Concord Counseling Associates, this is because the brain is wired to detect potential threats first.
In the past, this was essential for human survival, and that mechanism continues to influence us today, Real Simple reports.
Junco also explains that criticism experienced during childhood, for example, can leave lasting effects.
Later in life, similar situations may trigger those same emotions.
Dr. Sarah Oreck of Mavida Health told Real Simple that the inner critic does not define who you are.
Give your brain new habits
The experts recommend paying attention to self-critical thoughts and asking yourself whether they are based on facts.
Krista Walker, Clinical Director at The Ohana Luxury Addiction Treatment Center, told Real Simple that writing these thoughts down can be helpful.
Oreck also recommends keeping a record of small everyday successes. Doing so can help the brain develop a more balanced view of your own abilities.
Separate the voice
According to Junco, calm breathing can reduce the body’s stress response and make it easier to think clearly.
Afterward, you can try to identify the emotion behind the critical thought.
Oreck says it can also help to view the critical voice as something separate from yourself and to treat yourself with the same understanding and compassion that you would show a good friend.
Roblox is a platform featuring thousands of games created by both individual users and professional developers.
The games vary widely, ranging from lighthearted animal-themed games to titles featuring violence and horror.
According to Children’s Welfare (Børns Vilkår) from Denmark, games are recommended based on popularity rather than a child’s age.
At the same time, Roblox functions in many ways like a social media platform, where children can play together, communicate, and become part of online communities.
Both social and financial risks
Although Roblox has age controls, children can still come into contact with other users.
Children’s Welfare points out that, in some cases, adults have bypassed the platform’s age-verification system.
For this reason, the organization recommends that parents keep track of who their child is playing with.
The platform is free to use, but many games encourage players to purchase the virtual currency, Robux.
According to Children’s Welfare, it can be difficult for children to understand how much real money they are spending, and some have also reported being scammed in trading transactions.
Children’s welfare’s recommendation
Children’s Welfare recommends that children under the age of 9 should not use Roblox.
The organization also recommends that children under the age of 13 should not have unrestricted access to the platform, but should only use it with the support of a parent.
Parents are therefore encouraged to talk with their child about which games they play, who they interact with on the platform, and whether they have encountered disturbing content or unwanted contact from strangers.
According to Children’s Welfare, Roblox should be approached with the same level of caution and attention as other social media platforms.
According to Healthline, different cooking methods can affect both the fat content and the formation of compounds that may be harmful to the body.
Sausages are also classified as processed meat. A study published in Foods found an association between high consumption of processed meat and conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and cancer.
However, Healthline emphasizes that the research shows an association rather than a direct cause-and-effect relationship.
High temperatures may be a drawback
Pan-frying can be a good option if olive oil or avocado oil is used and the sausages are not cooked over excessively high heat, according to Healthline.
Grilling, using the oven’s grill setting, and deep-frying at high temperatures can produce compounds that research published in Molecules has linked to an increased risk of several diseases.
For this reason, Healthline recommends avoiding charring or burning sausages.
The best choice
Sausages should always be cooked thoroughly to reduce the risk of harmful bacteria.
According to Healthline, they should reach an internal temperature of 74°C (165°F).
Overall, boiling and baking are considered the healthiest ways to cook sausages.
These methods require little or no added fat and produce fewer compounds that may be harmful.
Deep-frying, on the other hand, is considered the least healthy method because it adds more fat and calories, according to Healthline.
Staying hydrated is important, but drinking too much water can also become a health risk, according to Vinmec.
What is water intoxication?
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Water intoxication occurs when the body absorbs more water than it can eliminate.
This dilutes the sodium concentration in the blood and can disrupt the body’s balance of fluids and electrolytes.
The kidneys can become overloaded
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Consuming an excessive amount of fluids can put strain on the kidneys.
If the strain becomes severe, it may lead to kidney failure and affect several of the body’s functions.
The liver is not directly affected
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Vinmec points out that the liver is not involved in regulating the body’s water and electrolyte balance.
As a result, water intoxication primarily affects the kidneys.
Young children face a higher risk
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Infants are particularly vulnerable because their kidneys are not yet fully developed.
For this reason, breast milk or infant formula provides all the fluids they need during the first months of life.
Prolonged exercise can increase the risk
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People who engage in intense exercise for more than four hours a day may develop water intoxication.
In these cases, drinking excessive amounts of water can cause blood sodium levels to fall too low.
Dieting can lead to excessive fluid intake
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Some people drink large amounts of water to suppress their appetite and feel full for longer.
Vinmec notes that this is not a safe or effective method of losing weight.
Mental health conditions may play a role
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Excessive water consumption may also be linked to mental health conditions, including compulsive eating or drinking behaviors.
Headaches can be an early warning sign
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When the body takes in too much water, the brain can begin to swell, increasing pressure inside the skull.
As a result, headaches are often one of the earliest symptoms of water intoxication.
Additional symptoms may develop
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Drinking too much water can also cause muscle cramps, fatigue, nausea, and swelling in the lower legs.
This is partly because sodium and potassium become diluted in the bloodstream.
Severe cases can be life-threatening
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In severe cases of water intoxication, symptoms may include hallucinations, seizures, paralysis, coma, and, in the worst cases, death.
Treatment depends on the severity
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Mild cases can often be treated by reducing fluid intake under a doctor’s guidance.
More severe cases may require treatment with diuretic medication.
Prompt treatment may be necessary
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If water intoxication causes severe neurological symptoms, the imbalance between fluids and electrolytes must be treated immediately with a hypertonic saline solution.
Drink according to your body’s needs
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Vinmec recommends drinking when you are thirsty rather than forcing yourself to consume large amounts of water.
The right amount of fluid depends on factors such as age, overall health, activity level, climate, and body weight.
Extra fluids may be needed in hot weather
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When spending time outdoors or in hot conditions, drinking around 500 milliliters of additional water may be appropriate.
If you sweat heavily during exercise, electrolyte drinks or electrolyte tablets can help replenish sodium levels.
Weight-loss procedures such as gastric bypass and gastric sleeve can be an effective treatment for severe obesity.
However, according to a new study published in the International Journal of Obesity and reported by HealthDay, patients should also be informed about a lesser-known consequence of these procedures.
The researchers also believe doctors should have more thorough discussions with patients about their alcohol consumption before surgery.
This could help prevent problems later on.
How alcohol affects the body
In the study, researchers examined 33 people before surgery and again three, 12, and 36 months afterward.
At each assessment, participants consumed the same amount of alcohol while researchers measured their blood alcohol concentration.
The results showed that the body absorbs alcohol more quickly after both types of weight-loss surgery.
This means patients become intoxicated more quickly, reach a higher blood alcohol concentration after consuming the same amount of alcohol, and take longer to sober up.
According to the researchers, one reason is that after surgery, the stomach breaks down less alcohol before it enters the bloodstream.
Higher risk
The researchers also reviewed data from 17,800 Norwegian patients who underwent weight-loss surgery between 2008 and 2018.
The analysis found that people who underwent gastric bypass surgery had a 69 percent higher risk of alcohol-related problems than those who underwent gastric sleeve surgery.
Weight-loss surgery changes the way the body processes alcohol. Therefore, the researchers recommend that all patients receive thorough information about the risks before deciding to undergo surgery.
Researchers from the University of Reading examined 39 takeaway meals from 23 food outlets in the British city of Reading and published their findings in PLOS One.
They wanted to determine whether the restaurants’ stated salt content matched the actual amount.
The results showed that 47 percent of the meals examined contained more salt than indicated on the menu.
According to the researchers, this is partly because portion sizes, ingredients, and preparation methods can vary from one order to another, ScienceDaily reports.
Large differences
The study also found significant differences between dishes. Meat pizzas had the highest salt content per 100 grams, while curry dishes varied considerably.
Pasta dishes contained an average of 7.2 grams of salt per serving. One dish contained as much as 11.2 grams.
For comparison, adults in the UK are advised to consume no more than 6 grams of salt per day, according to ScienceDaily.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) monitors the spread of Vibrio bacteria using satellite data, according to The Sun.
Data on sea temperature and salinity are used to assess where the bacterium is likely to be present in higher concentrations.
According to the ECDC, the risk has increased earlier than usual this summer due to unusually high temperatures across Europe.
The risk is low
Vibrio occurs naturally in warm coastal and brackish waters, where freshwater and seawater meet.
Most people do not become seriously ill, but individuals with open wounds, diabetes, liver disease, or weakened immune systems should take extra precautions. This was stated by Applied Microbiology International, according to The Sun.
The bacterium can also be transmitted through contaminated shellfish.
According to the ECDC, an infection may cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, or a wound infection.
In rare cases, the illness can become severe.
Denmark among the affected areas
The ECDC considers the Baltic Sea and parts of the North Sea to be the areas in Europe where conditions are most favorable for the bacterium when seawater becomes warm.
Earlier this summer, several beaches in Spain were temporarily closed after Vibrio was detected in coastal waters, according to The Sun.
The monitoring map also shows that coastal areas in Denmark, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and France may experience higher levels of Vibrio bacteria during warm periods.
Health authorities are therefore monitoring the situation closely, as rising sea temperatures may provide more favorable conditions for the bacterium’s growth.
Diet soda does not appear to harm the liver in the same way as alcohol or certain medications. However, research suggests that drinking large amounts may still influence liver health through several indirect mechanisms, although the evidence remains mixed, reports Verywell Health.
Diet soda is not considered a direct cause of liver damage
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Unlike alcohol, viral hepatitis, or certain toxic drugs, diet soda is not known to directly injure the liver. Any potential effects appear to be linked to changes in metabolism rather than direct toxicity.
High intake has been linked to fatty liver disease
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Some studies have associated frequent consumption of sugar-free soft drinks with a higher likelihood of developing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).
Artificial sweeteners may play a role
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Researchers believe sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin could contribute to some of the biological changes linked to liver health.
Changes in gut bacteria may affect the liver
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Excessive intake of artificial sweeteners may alter the balance of gut bacteria. This can allow inflammatory substances to enter the bloodstream and eventually reach the liver.
Insulin function may become less effective
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Artificial sweeteners may influence insulin release in some people. Over time, this has been linked to insulin resistance, although more research is needed.
Insulin resistance increases liver strain
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As the body becomes less responsive to insulin, elevated blood sugar levels may encourage fat to build up in the liver.
Appetite may increase over time
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Some researchers suggest that artificially sweetened drinks may leave the brain less satisfied, making some people more likely to consume additional calories.
Eating habits could explain part of the risk
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People who drink several diet sodas each day often consume more processed foods. These broader dietary habits may contribute to obesity, insulin resistance, and fatty liver disease rather than diet soda alone.
Research findings are not consistent
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Scientists have not reached a clear conclusion about the relationship between artificial sweeteners and MASLD. Some people may be more susceptible than others.
Diet soda may still be preferable to regular soda
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Regular soft drinks sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup place a greater burden on the liver because fructose is rapidly converted into fat. Diet soda does not have this effect.
Moderate consumption appears to pose little risk
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Current evidence suggests that drinking one can of diet soda per day is associated with minimal risk to liver health. People with obesity, uncontrolled diabetes, or existing liver disease should discuss appropriate intake with their healthcare provider.
More human research is needed
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While several studies point to possible links between diet soda and liver health, researchers say further studies in people are needed to better understand the relationship.
Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light have studied the thin layer of sugar molecules that covers all human cells, according toScience Daily.
The layer is called the glycocalyx and protects cells from their surroundings.
Using advanced microscopy, the researchers created detailed maps of the sugar molecules found on different types of cells and tissues.
The researchers discovered that the sugar patterns change depending on what is happening inside the cell.
Signals from the body
In the study, the researchers observed that immune cells changed their sugar patterns when they became activated.
This happens, among other things, when the body is fighting infections.
The researchers therefore believe that the cell surface could function as a kind of signal that reveals the condition of the cell. The method is called “Glycan Atlasing.”
The research team will now examine more samples and further automate the technology so that it can eventually be used in healthcare.
Could reveal cancer
The study also showed that sugar patterns differed between healthy and diseased tissue.
Among other things, the researchers were able to distinguish between healthy areas and cancerous areas in breast tissue.
The method also made it possible to differentiate between various stages of disease and between active and inactive immune cells.
The study therefore suggests that small changes on the surface of cells could one day help detect cancer and other diseases at an earlier stage.
