Latest news with #healthEffects
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Why Non-alcoholic Beer Isn't Always the Healthy Option
Nearly half of UK adults now regularly drink alcohol-free beers, wines and spirits, according to mindful drinks specialists Club Soda's 'Drink for Everyone' 2025 report. Thousands of non-alcoholic drink options are now popping up in both pubs and supermarkets, with online retailer Ocado now stocking 261 adult alcohol-free drink options and more than 1,400 British breweries producing alcohol-free beer. As we know, alcohol – especially when consumed in large quantities – is detrimental to our health. From cognitive and liver function to metabolic health, the consequences of alcohol can be far-reaching thanks to its chemical makeup. However, now some experts are questioning whether some non-alcoholic options could also have potentially negative health consequences. In one new study, researchers investigated the effects of a range of non-alcoholic beers on 44 healthy young men's liver, glucose, fat metabolism, and body composition. In the (deep breath) investigator-blinded, single-centre, randomised study, researchers compared the effects on the metabolism, health, and gut microbiome of three different kinds of non-alcohol beer – pilsener, mixed beer and wheat beer – which the men drank daily. Over four weeks, the 44 men in the study drank either 660ml of water or 660ml of one of the three non-alcoholic beers, depending on the group to which they had been randomly assigned. The researchers collected blood and faecal samples before and after the four weeks, and also measured participants' body composition and scanned their liver. They found that those who drank the non-alcoholic beers – particularly the mixed and wheat beers – had increased levels of fasting glucose (the amount of sugar in your blood after not eating for at least eight hours) and increased insulin levels, respectively. While your body needs insulin to regulate blood sugar, having too much of it for too long can lead to various health complications, including insulin resistance, diabetes and some cardiovascular issues. The pilsener beer came out slightly better, with both the pilsener and water decreasing cholesterol and LDL levels without significantly affecting glucose metabolism. The high calorie and sugar content is likely what drives these 'unfavourable effects on metabolism', the researchers concluded. While the alcohol has been removed from these drinks, the team highlighted that they often still contain a considerable number of calories and sugar (which hasn't transformed into ethanol during the fermentation process). The small residual alcohol content (up to 0.5%), they added, could have also contributed to the results. They also concluded that while non-alcoholic pilsner had fewer adverse effects compared to the other drinks, there was no overarching benefit when compared to not drinking non-alcoholic beers at all. What's important to remember here, however, is that a lot of soft drinks are also high-calorie and high-sugar. Although you don't want to be drinking them all the time, it's unlikely your health will significantly suffer from consuming them in moderation. Essentially, the same principle applies here. The men in this study drank the equivalent of two non-alcoholic beers a day, and while BBQ season might mean more indulgence than usual, it still doesn't really reflect a balanced approach. If you are being extra vigilant about your health, these results are potentially quite useful when choosing which type of non-alcoholic beer to drink. For instance, according to this study, you might be best choosing pilsener drinks over mixed and wheat beers – particularly if you're going to be drinking quite a few. However, more extensive studies are needed before scientists can say anything with complete conviction. The researchers themselves flag several limitations of the study, including the fact it was small and only examined a very specific population. Ethically speaking, they also couldn't include a control group for alcoholic beer. At the end of the day, it's all about balance and making informed choices that are right for you. Part of the benefit of having so many new non-alcoholic and low-alcohol options is the wide range of formulas available. Among the thousands of products, there are low-calorie and low-sugar options. Essentially, the message is simple: when it comes to non-alcoholic alternatives, 'in moderation' still applies. You Might Also Like The 23 Best Foods to Build Muscle 10 of the Best Waterproof Boots to Buy in 2019 6 Ways to Improve Your Mental Health
Globe and Mail
09-06-2025
- Health
- Globe and Mail
Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and the University of Ottawa Accelerate Low Dose Radiation Research and Foster Next Generation of Scientists
CHALK RIVER, Ontario, June 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), Canada's premier nuclear science and technology organization, and the University of Ottawa (uOttawa), one of Canada's most innovative universities, are pleased to announce a new partnership to advance knowledge, education, research and innovation in low dose radiation (LDR) exposure health effects. Leveraging the leading research organizations' complementary capabilities, the new partnership builds on CNL's global leadership in LDR research with the establishment of a CNL-led LDR innovation hub, accelerating research critical to public safety and the health of Canadians. It will also serve to increase capabilities, education and training opportunities to graduate students and early career researchers. The partnership will also extend uOttawa researchers' access to Atomic Energy of Canada Limited's world class facilities at Chalk River Laboratories, including the unique Biological Research Facility, associated irradiation facilities and LDR Tissue Bank, and establishes a CNL satellite laboratory within uOttawa's new Advanced Medical Research Centre (AMRC) – set to open in 2026. This physical presence will be co-located with the Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology (OISB) as well as uOttawa state-of-the-art Core Facilities, which altogether will support new research directions in radiation sciences and advanced organoid-based systems biology. These areas are rapidly developing strengths at uOttawa, positioning the university as a national, and potentially international, leader in this field. uOttawa will also offer reciprocal access to key research facilities on campus, in addition to those located at the faculty of medicine and in AMRC. 'As a major player in the global research and development effort to support LDR research, CNL is focused on the prevention or reduction of radiation exposure effects in workers, patients and the larger population,' says Dr. Stephen Bushby, Vice-President, Science & Technology, CNL. 'We are very excited to include uOttawa as a major partner in the work needed to shed light on this complex field of research.' As part of this partnership, CNL will be contributing towards the acquisition of a mass spectrometer, which will be installed in the in the Metabolomics Core Facility at uOttawa. This strategic investment, supporting collaborative initiatives between OISB and CNL, will enable leading-edge single-cell metabolomics and spatial metabolomics, a rapidly advancing field with transformative potential in biomedical research. This will be the only equipment of its kind in eastern Canada, offering unique capabilities for high-resolution chemical imaging at the cellular level. The instrument will not only serve researchers at uOttawa, but also attract national and international collaborators, firmly establishing uOttawa as a leader in metabolomics and precision health research. The mass spectrometer will be a central component of the new Spatial Biology and Single-Cell Suite (3S) within the AMRC. This cutting-edge suite will integrate transformative new technologies into a coordinated workflow that complements and enhances five existing and intensively used Core Facilities: Flow Cytometry, Metabolomics, Gene Editing, Cellular Imaging, and Bioinformatics. By bridging these platforms, 3S will significantly expand research capabilities in some of uOttawa's strongest areas of discovery, particularly brain, heart, and cancer biology—driving breakthroughs in systems biology, precision medicine, and therapeutic development. 'This new equipment, the only one of its kind in Eastern Canada, positions the University of Ottawa as a leader in metabolomics and precision health research, while attracting national and international collaborations,' says Julie St-Pierre, Interim Vice-President, Research and Innovation, uOttawa. This new partnership builds on over a decade of collaborative research involving CNL and multiple uOttawa faculties, including Engineering, Science and Medicine. These collaborations have advanced understanding of the biomedical impacts of LDR, including studies on DNA damage and repair, protein synthesis, epigenetics, mitochondrial biology, metabolism, immunity, and stem cell functions. As part of this partnership, CNL has also provided funding support for postdoctoral fellow stipends, further enabling high-impact research and talent development. With the field of LDR research growing and Canadian leadership in LDR research well-recognized, both organizations will continue to explore additional opportunities to further strengthen this partnership. About CNL As Canada's premier nuclear science and technology laboratory and working under the direction of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), CNL is a world leader in the development of innovative nuclear science and technology products and services. Guided by an ambitious corporate strategy known as Vision 2030, CNL fulfills three strategic priorities of national importance – restoring and protecting the environment, advancing clean energy technologies, and contributing to the health of Canadians. By leveraging the assets owned by AECL, CNL also serves as the nexus between government, the nuclear industry, the broader private sector and the academic community. CNL works in collaboration with these sectors to advance innovative Canadian products and services towards real-world use, including carbon-free energy, cancer treatments and other therapies, non-proliferation technologies and waste management solutions. To learn more about CNL, please visit The University of Ottawa is powered by research. Located in Canada's capital, we bring together energetic and creative scholars to tackle urgent global challenges and to respond to emerging opportunities. As one of Canada's most innovative universities, we generate breakthroughs and discoveries that make a real difference in communities across Ontario, Canada and the world. Our thought leaders provide evidence-based insights that inform policy and support industry. Our influence keeps growing due to our vast range of international partnerships, including our membership in the U7+ Alliance. As the world's largest French-English university, we are a driving force in the Francophonie. To learn more about uOttawa, please visit uOttawa contact: media@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
New York Times
05-06-2025
- Health
- New York Times
How to Protect Yourself From Saharan Dust
A plume of dust that has traveled across the Atlantic Ocean from the Sahara was affecting air quality in Florida on Thursday and may reach other Southern states by the weekend. Such events occur in the Caribbean and the Gulf Coast region several times a year, and scientists are studying how climate change may affect their frequency and intensity. Here is what research shows about the health effects of Saharan dust exposure, and how people can protect themselves. What is in the dust plume? Dust plumes like this one originate in deserts, in this case, the Sahara. The dust is composed mainly of minerals found in desert sand, including silicates such as quartz. But as they travel, plumes can pick up other pollutants, as well as bacteria, viruses and fungi. Reactions among the pollutants, and between those pollutants and sunlight, can produce additional chemicals as well. What are the effects of exposure? What makes Saharan dust dangerous is that its particles are extremely small, which means they can be inhaled deep into the lungs, irritating and damaging them. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
