We have always been told to drink water and keep ourselves hydrated. But did you know there is also a drinking limit for your body and over drinking water may not be a good thing for your body and your health.

A recent study published in JAMA Network Open explores the conventionally believed thought that drinking more and more water is universally beneficial. The study is conducted by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and it reviewed the clinical trials to assess whether increasing water intake offers any significant health benefits.

Study's senior author and chair of UCSF's Department of Urology, Dr Benjamin Breyer, said, “For such a ubiquitous and simple intervention, the evidence hasn’t been clear, and the benefits were not well established, so we wanted to take a closer look".

Water Matters, But Why?

Water makes up about 60% of the human body and plays a critical role in essential functions like:

• Regulating body temperature
• Flushing out waste
• Acting as a shock absorber for the brain and spinal cord
• Creating saliva
• Lubricating joints

Dehydration can disrupt these processes, but does drinking more water beyond daily requirements truly enhance health? Here’s what the study found.

Weight Loss

Three studies showed that drinking 51 fl oz (1.5 L) of water daily before meals led to significantly more weight loss among overweight and obese adults over 12 weeks to a year, compared to control groups. However, a separate study found no weight changes when participants consumed 68 fl oz (2 L) daily for six months.

Fasting Blood Glucose

There were mixed results on people with type 2 diabetes. While one study showed a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose levels after participants drank water before meals for 8 weeks, another study found a slight increase in fasting blood glucose after participants drank water in the morning and before bedtime for 12 weeks. Which raised the question that the benefits noted in the first study may have stemmed from decreased food intake or weight loss.

Headaches

Here too, we have conflicting results. One study showed improvement in migraine quality of life and fewer moderate headache days after increasing water intake. However, the results were not statistically significant.

Another trial involving fewer participants reported no notable effect on migraine intensity or frequency.

Bladder Health

We all know that drinking water prevents UTI. In fact, a trial of 140 women prone to recurrent UTIs found that increasing water intake reduced UTI episodes and antibiotic use over a year.

However, there was a small study that found no significant change in urinary bacteria among women who drank more water. Interestingly, reducing fluid intake by 25% helped adults with overactive bladder experience fewer urges and nighttime trips to the bathroom.

Kidney Stones

Here, the evidences supported increased water consumption for reducing kidney stone risks. In one study, healthy adults drinking an additional 68 fl oz (2 L) of water daily had a lower risk of developing kidney stones. Another trial showed a significant drop in kidney stone recurrence over five years among those who increased water intake.

So, what does it really mean?

While drinking more water was associated with clear benefits in areas like weight loss and kidney stone prevention, the evidence for other conditions—such as headaches, bladder health, and diabetes—was less conclusive.

“The amount of rigorous research turned out to be limited, but in some specific areas, there was a statistically significant benefit,” said Dr. Breyer. “There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach for water consumption," said Dr Breyer.

October is the Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Each year, the World Health Organization (WHO) observes this month to spread awareness on breast cancer and the month is also globally observed. This year, the theme is 'Every Story is Unique, Every Journey Matters'. The aim of this theme is to make more people understand that while community support is important, not everyone's journey can be the same. Each breast cancer diagnosis is personal.

Breast Cancer Statistics

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide. In 2022, approximately 2.3 million women were diagnosed and another 670,000 died from the disease, notes WHO.

WHO also notes that while the 5-year survival rates in high-income countries exceeds 90%, the figures drop to 66% in India and 40% in South Africa. These disparities are driven by unequal access to early detection, timely diagnosis and effective treatment. If the current trend continues, the incidence and mortality are projected to rise by 40% by 2050 hence the need for urgent and coordinated action. Indeed, where a woman lives should not determine whether she survives.

Established in 2021, the WHO Global Breast Cancer Initiative together with partners is working with countries to reduce breast cancer mortality by strengthening health systems.

The goal for this year's Breast Cancer Awareness Month thus would be to increase awareness and promote behavior change for early detection of the same.

One also must understand that the stigma and myths around breast cancer is what makes it difficult for people to understand what is happening with their body.

While the percentage of breast cancer patients is high in women, it is wrong to assume that men are not affected. Dr Mickey Mehta, previously told Health and Me, "Traditionally it is viewed as a women’s health issue, breast cancer awareness has often excluded men, even though they can also be affected by the disease. Engaging men in breast cancer awareness is crucial, as breast cancer can affect men, albeit at lower rates than women."

What Are Other Myths Associated With Breast Cancer?

Wearing A Bra Causes Breast Cancer

This idea was fueled by the 1995 book called Dressed to Kill by Sydney Ross Singer and Some Grismaijer which claimed that women who wear underwire bras for 12 hours a day have a much higher risk of developing breast cancer. The book claims that it restricts the lymph system, which can result in a build-up of toxins in the breasts. However, there is no credible research that shows a link between the two.

Dr Namrata Singal Sawant, Director and Senior Breast & Women's Imaging Consultant Radiologist at Vcare Imaging Diagnostic Centre, Mumbai, says, "While many of my patients ask me this question, especially about underwired bras or black bras; there has been no scientific evidence to claim the same. Although ill-fitting bras do cause chest pain or breast pain sometimes if too tight. But not cancer."

Sugar Consumption Can Caused Increased Risk of Breast Cancer

"It might be associated with many other health issues but has not been associated with breast cancer yet. However, keeping the sugar levels under control is very important for health healing of any breast infections or inflammatory disorders. Diabetic mastopathy is an important mimicker of breast cancer on imaging," says the doctor.

Wearing Black-dyed Clothes Can Cause Breast Cancer

The doctor says that it has not been proven by any scientific studies; however, wearing clothes with natural fibres and maintaining personal hygiene in the form of cleaning ourselves and our clothes regularly is a must.

Pregnancy Increases The Risk of Breast Cancer

As per the National Cancer Institute, the older a woman is when she has her first full-term pregnancy, the higher her risk of breast cancer. "Having our conventional reproductive customs like a first child before the age of 30 years and breastfeeding has been known to be associated with lower risks," says Dr Namrata. She also highlights the reports of Hormonal replacement therapy associated with increased risk of breast cancer.

Therefore, pregnancy does not increase the risk of breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Cannot Happen Again

"Well! Some types of breast cancer when diagnosed early have excellent prognosis to treatment. Whereas there are others especially “Triple-negative types” which are notorious for poor prognosis and recurrence. If the cancer is diagnosed late, or positive margins have been left behind during breast conservative treatment or some kind of treatment failure, there are definite chances of recurrence," explained the doctor.

“Frankenstein”, a new Covid-19 variant, has been detected in Montreal’s wastewater and is now spreading across Quebec, according to the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ). Officially known as XFG, the subvariant is considered highly transmissible but not more severe than earlier Omicron strains.

What Is the Frankenstein Covid-19 Variant?

First identified in January 2025, the Stratus strain—officially classified under the XFG lineage and its subvariant XFG.3—has become the most common form of COVID-19 in England.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated Stratus as a "variant under monitoring," a classification that signals the need for heightened genomic tracking, though it has emphasized the variant currently poses a low risk to global public health.

What sets Stratus apart from prior variants, particularly its Omicron predecessors, is a peculiar but increasingly common symptom: a hoarse or raspy voice, an anomaly not prominently associated with COVID-19 strains before.

Stratus is not just another offshoot of Omicron; it is what scientists call a “recombinant” or “Frankenstein” variant. This means it emerged when an individual was infected with two different Covid strains simultaneously, resulting in a new hybrid lineage. Such recombination events are rare but can lead to variants with novel characteristics—including changes in transmissibility, immune evasion, and symptomatology.

Reports from the World Health Organization indicate that Stratus is showing signs of additional immune evasion compared to other strains. This means it may more effectively bypass existing immunity from previous infections or vaccinations, contributing to its rapid spread.

Symptoms to Watch For

Like other Omicron subvariants, XFG is associated with respiratory symptoms such as dry cough, fatigue, nasal congestion, headache, muscle aches, and fever.

However, clinical observations point to some distinctive signs:

• A hoarse voice often accompanied by a sore throat described as a “razor blade” sensation.

• Some patients also experience gastrointestinal issues such as nausea and diarrhea, though these cases remain less common.

Risks Remain Moderate

WHO has classified XFG as a “variant of concern” but stresses that current data does not show it causes more severe illness compared to previous strains. Available vaccines are expected to continue providing strong protection against both symptomatic and severe cases.

Still, Canada is seeing a rise in overall COVID-19 activity. Federal data shows more than 2,400 confirmed cases were reported in the week of September 20, with positivity rates exceeding 10%. Activity is particularly increasing among people aged 65 and older.

In Quebec, health officials describe the situation as “moderate but rising”, aligning with what experts describe as part of the virus’s natural resurgence.

The Global Context: A 15th Wave in France

Canada’s developments mirror rising COVID-19 levels in Europe. French health experts say the country has entered a 15th wave, with incidence rates and emergency room visits climbing sharply since early September. Epidemiologist Mircea Sofonea explains that XFG carries multiple mutations that make it more transmissible and capable of partially evading immunity from prior infections or vaccines.

“The problem is that immunity naturally decreases over time, and these mutations help the virus bypass it,” Sofonea told franceinfo.

COVID-19 Entering a New Phase

Experts believe COVID-19 may be transitioning toward becoming a seasonal virus, much like the flu. “We hope that by next year, circulation will be more seasonal and less constant,” said Denis Malvy, infectious disease specialist at Bordeaux University Hospital.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has now approved the marketing of Essilor Stellest eyeglass lenses. It is now approved as a new treatment option designed to both correct myopia, which is nearsightedness and slow its progression in children between age 6 to 12.

What Is Myopia?

As pr the National Eye Institute, USA, nearsightedness is a refractive error that makes far-away objects look blurry. It happens when the shape of the eye makes light focus in front of the retina, which is a light sensitive layer of tissue in the back of your eye, instead of on it.

Myopia is also one of the most common vision conditions affecting children, and starts to worsen during the school years, when eyes are still growing. If left unchecked, progressive myopia can increase the risk of serious eye problems in adulthood, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, and early cataracts. Until now, the only FDA-authorized device for slowing myopia progression was a type of contact lens for children between 8 and 12 years old. Essilor Stellest lenses expand treatment to younger children, including those as young as six, and to those who may be unable or unwilling to wear contact lenses.

How Does The Lenses Work?

Unlike standard eyeglasses, these FDA-approved glasses have a unique design that allows a clear 9-millimeter central zone that corrects vision. It is also surrounded by multiple rings of small, raised lenslets. These lenslets create a “peripheral light defocus” effect, which alters how light focuses on the retina. Research suggests that this helps slow the abnormal eye growth associated with worsening myopia.

What Did The Studies Find?

The FDA’s decision was based on a clinical trial comparing Essilor Stellest lenses with conventional single-vision lenses. After 24 months, results showed:

• A 71 percent reduction in myopia progression (measured by spherical equivalent refraction).

• A 53 percent reduction in eye elongation (measured by axial length, an indicator of worsening myopia).

Importantly, no serious safety issues were reported. Some children experienced mild visual disturbances such as halos or blurriness, but these side effects were not considered severe.

A Safer and Easier Option

Experts emphasize that this approval offers families a practical, lower-risk alternative to contact lenses. Eyeglasses are generally easier for young children to manage, reducing risks of infection or misuse that can occur with contacts.

“Today’s authorization brings to market a treatment option that may meaningfully reduce the likelihood of severe eyesight issues later in adult life, while also being easier to use and lower risk than the currently authorized devices,” said Dr. Michelle Tarver, director at the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health.