A common sugar substitute found in "sugar-free" drinks and desserts may be impairing your brain function. A new study presented at the American Physiology Summit indicated that erythritol, found in many desserts and drinks, may impair blood vessel health by disrupting the brain's production of nitric oxide. Cells exposed to typical erythritol levels showed increased oxidative stress and reduced nitric oxide, potentially impairing blood flow.

It is pertinent to know that the human brain uses Nitric Oxide as a neurotransmitter that helps regulate blood flow as well as influences neuronal development. The new study explains earlier research linking erythritol to stroke and heart attacks.

How Was The New Study Performed?

In a new study, researchers treated human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells—cells from the tiny blood vessels in the brain—with erythritol. They found that the cells exposed to the amount of sweetener in one beverage serving had higher levels of oxidative (cellular) stress. These cells also produced less nitric oxide, a compound that helps blood vessels dilate. Reduced nitric oxide levels can impair vasodilation, impair blood flow, and may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

"While erythritol is widely used in sugar-free products marketed as healthier alternatives, more research is needed to fully understand its impact on vascular health," said Auburn Berry, a graduate student at the University of Colorado Boulder and first author of the study. "In general, people should be conscious of the amount of erythritol they are consuming daily," added.

Here Are Products That Have Erythritol

Erythritol is a low-calorie sugar substitute found in many sugar-free products, including energy drinks, snack foods and protein bars. Like other sugar alcohols, erythritol is popular because it does not affect blood glucose and insulin levels as much as sugar. Here is a list of products that may use this compound as one of its ingredients.

1. Sugar-Free or Keto Snacks

Keto-friendly protein bars (e.g., Quest, Perfect Keto)

Low-carb cookies and brownies (e.g., Lenny & Larry’s Keto Cookies)

Keto peanut butter cups and chocolates (e.g., Lily's, ChocZero)

2. Beverages

Flavored water (e.g., VitaminWater Zero, Bai Antioxidant Drinks)

Zero-calorie energy drinks (e.g., Monster Ultra, Zevia)

Sugar-free iced teas and lemonades

3. Gum and Mints

Sugar-free chewing gum (e.g., Trident, Orbit)

Breath mints (e.g., Altoids Smalls Sugar-Free, Ice Breakers)

4. Sugar-Free Candy and Chocolates

Gummy bears, licorice, or hard candies labeled “sugar-free”

Brands: SmartSweets, Russell Stover Sugar-Free

5. Baking Products

Erythritol sweeteners (e.g., Swerve, Lakanto, PureVia)

Baking mixes like low-carb pancake or brownie mixes

6. Ice Cream and Frozen Desserts

Brands like Rebel, Enlightened, and Halo Top Keto series use erythritol as a sweetener

7. Meal Replacements and Protein Powders

Many low-carb shakes or protein powders include erythritol to keep sugar content low

8. Yogurt and Dairy Alternatives

Low-sugar Greek yogurts or keto-friendly yogurt alternatives.

Magnesium supplements are everywhere. Whether you see it on pharmacy shelves or wellness blogs and social media where influencers who swear by them. You’ve probably heard someone claim that a daily magnesium tablet can help you sleep better, ease muscle cramps, or boost your mood. But do you actually need one, or is this just another wellness trend gone too far?

What Is Magnesium and Why Do We Need It?

Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It helps regulate muscle and nerve function, supports a healthy immune system, builds protein, maintains blood sugar and blood pressure levels, and aids in energy production.

Because the body doesn’t produce magnesium on its own, it must come from external sources such as food or supplements. The recommended daily intake varies: 310–420 mg for adults and 30–410 mg for children, depending on age and sex.

The good news? A balanced diet can easily meet these requirements. Magnesium-rich foods include nuts and seeds, leafy green vegetables, legumes, seafood, whole grains, and meat. Even dark chocolate can help, 100 grams of dark chocolate contains around 146 mg of magnesium.

Who Is at Risk of Magnesium Deficiency?

Most people get enough magnesium from food, but certain groups are more vulnerable to deficiency. These include people with gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn’s disease or coeliac disease, those with type 2 diabetes, people who consume excessive alcohol, and older adults.

If you’re low on magnesium, you might notice symptoms such as muscle twitches, spasms, fatigue, low appetite, nausea, or an irregular heartbeat. However, the only way to confirm a deficiency is through a blood test prescribed by your doctor, which, in most cases, is covered by Medicare.

Can Magnesium Supplements Really Help?

Magnesium supplements are often promoted as a solution for muscle cramps, migraines, and insomnia. But do they actually work?

While magnesium deficiency can lead to cramps, most cases of muscle cramps are not due to low magnesium. Research shows limited evidence that supplements prevent cramps, especially in older adults.

The link between magnesium and better sleep is also unclear. Some studies found it helped people fall asleep faster, while others found no significant difference.

When it comes to migraines, evidence is stronger. Studies suggest that taking 122–600 mg of magnesium daily for 4–24 weeks may reduce the frequency and severity of migraines in some people.

Are Magnesium Supplements Safe?

In general, magnesium supplements are safe when taken in the recommended amounts. However, too much can lead to nausea, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea, because magnesium draws water into the intestines.

Taking extremely large doses (around 5,000 mg daily) can cause magnesium toxicity, which is dangerous. Always check with your doctor before starting supplements, especially if you take other medications.

Different Forms and What to Watch Out For

Magnesium is available in tablets, powders, and even topical forms like creams and bath salts. While these skin-based products may raise magnesium levels slightly, they’re less effective than oral supplements or food sources.

When buying supplements, check the label carefully. Most tablets contain 150–350 mg of magnesium, but formulations vary widely. Some also include additional nutrients like vitamins B6, C, or D, and minerals like calcium or manganese.

Be cautious with vitamin B6, high intake can cause nerve damage over time. If you already take a multivitamin containing B6, avoid magnesium supplements that also include it.

Milk is one of the most common items found in every household and is considered a wholesome food packed with calcium, protein, and vitamin D.

It plays an important role in maintaining strong bones, building muscles, and supporting overall health. Because of its nutritional richness, milk is often called a complete food. However, it is essential to ensure that the milk you consume is pure and free from adulteration. Contaminated or diluted milk can lose its nutritional value and even harm your health. Fortunately, there are simple methods you can try at home to find out whether your milk is pure or adulterated.

What Is Milk Adulteration?

Food adulteration is the intentional act of reducing the quality of food by mixing or replacing it with inferior substances, or by removing essential components. The same applies to milk. While contamination of food can happen accidentally during storage, transport, or distribution, adulteration is done deliberately for profit.

Milk adulteration involves adding materials such as water, urea, detergent, or other chemicals to increase volume or extend shelf life. This practice reduces the nutritional value and can pose serious health risks to consumers.

How To Check Milk Adulteration at Home

There are a few simple ways to check for adulteration using common items at home:

• Water Test: Pour a small amount of milk onto a slanted surface. Pure milk flows slowly, leaving a white trail, while milk mixed with water flows quickly and leaves little or no mark.
• Detergent Test: Shake equal parts of milk and water. Pure milk forms a light foam, whereas adulterated milk creates thick, soapy froth.
• Starch Test: Add a few drops of iodine solution to the milk. If it turns blue, starch has been added.
• Urea Test: Mix a small amount of milk with soybean powder and dip red litmus paper into it. If the paper turns blue, it indicates the presence of urea.

What Happens When You Consume Adulterated Milk

Regularly drinking adulterated milk can cause several health issues from short-term stomach discomfort to severe, long-term illnesses. The exact effects depend on what substance has been added, ranging from diluted water to harmful chemicals.

Immediate Health Effects

• Digestive problems: Contaminants like urea, detergent, or unclean water can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.
• Irritation and burning: Strong alkaline substances such as caustic soda may burn the mouth, throat, and digestive tract, damaging body tissues.
• Allergic reactions: Some chemical additives and impurities can trigger allergies, leading to rashes, itching, or breathing difficulty.

Long-Term Health Consequences

• Kidney damage: Chemicals like urea overwork the kidneys, increasing the risk of long-term damage or kidney failure.
• Liver problems: Preservatives such as formalin (formaldehyde) used to prolong milk’s freshness can harm the liver over time.
• Cancer risk: Long exposure to toxic compounds, including formalin and certain pesticides, has been linked to cancer.
• Heart disease: Artificial fats or vegetable oils added to milk can raise bad cholesterol, contributing to heart problems.
• Hormonal imbalance: Cattle injected with hormones like oxytocin can pass traces into milk, disrupting natural hormone levels in humans.
• Weakened immunity: Consuming impure milk regularly can weaken the immune system, making you more prone to infections.
• Nutritional deficiency: When milk is diluted or its nutrients are replaced with cheaper additives, it loses its health benefits. This is especially harmful for children, as it can affect their growth and development.

A common vegetable has been found to help reduce blood pressure in older adults, according to a new study. Beetroot juice can lower blood pressure in people aged 60 and above by targeting certain potentially harmful bacteria in the mouth. Researchers at the University of Exeter studied how younger and older adults responded to beetroot juice, which is rich in dietary nitrates. These nitrates are converted by the body into nitric oxide, a compound that relaxes and widens blood vessels, helping to lower blood pressure.

How the Study Tested Beetroot Juice on Younger and Older Adults

The study included 39 adults under the age of 30 and 36 adults in their 60s and 70s. For two weeks, each group received shots of beetroot juice. After a two-week break, during which participants used antiseptic mouthwash daily, they were given a placebo juice without nitrates for another two weeks.

Researchers analyzed the bacteria in participants’ mouths using gene sequencing. In both groups, the oral microbiome—the community of microorganisms in the mouth—changed after drinking nitrate-rich juice, though the effects were different depending on age. In older adults, there was a reduction in common bacteria that can sometimes cause infections and an increase in bacteria that support health. The older participants also showed lower blood pressure after two weeks of drinking the nitrate-rich juice.

Professor Andy Jones of the University of Exeter said, “This study shows that nitrate-rich foods can change the oral microbiome in ways that may reduce inflammation and lower blood pressure in older adults. This opens the door for larger studies to examine how lifestyle factors and biological sex affect responses to dietary nitrate supplements.”

Can A Person Drink Beet Juice While Taking Blood Pressure Medication?

It may be possible to drink beet juice while taking blood pressure medications. However, it’s important to consult a doctor before making any changes to a treatment plan for high blood pressure.

A doctor can advise whether combining beet juice with blood pressure medication could lower blood pressure too much. If this happens, a person may experience symptoms such as:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Blurry vision
• Fainting
• Confusion
• Weakness or tiredness
• Headache
• Back or neck pain
• Heart palpitations
• Nausea

Low blood pressure (hypotension) can be serious. If someone experiences severe symptoms that do not improve when sitting or lying down, they should seek immediate medical attention.

Does Eating Beets Lower Blood Pressure?

Eating beets may help reduce blood pressure, but most research has focused on beet juice rather than whole beets.

Currently, there isn’t enough scientific evidence to confirm that eating beets has the same effect as drinking beet juice.

If someone wants to explore dietary changes to manage their blood pressure, it’s best to consult a doctor before making adjustments.