For many, beer is more than just a drink—it’s part of social culture, celebrations, and downtime rituals. But new research suggests there may be something more unsettling hiding in your pint glass, toxic “forever chemicals.” A recent study published in ACS Environmental Science & Technology has revealed that over 95 percent of beers tested across the United States and abroad contain traces of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

PFAS are a large family of manmade chemicals developed in the mid-20th century for their resistance to water, oil, heat, and stains. They’re found in non-stick cookware, water-resistant clothing, food packaging, firefighting foams, and even cosmetics. Their industrial versatility, however, comes at a steep cost: PFAS do not naturally break down, earning them the nickname “forever chemicals.”

Mounting evidence links PFAS exposure to health problems, including hormonal disruption, weakened immunity, high cholesterol, liver damage, fertility challenges, and increased risks of certain cancers. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently set strict new limits on PFAS in drinking water, underscoring the urgency of the problem.

How Did PFAS End Up in Beer?

Beer is made primarily of water, and researchers suspected that if municipal water supplies were contaminated with PFAS, those chemicals might carry over into the brewing process. That’s exactly what this new study confirmed.

The research team, led by Jennifer Hoponick Redmon, adapted an EPA-approved method normally used for testing drinking water and applied it to beer. They examined 23 beers from across the U.S. including those brewed in North Carolina, Michigan, Colorado, California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Missouri as well as beers imported from Mexico and the Netherlands.

The findings were striking: PFAS were present in 95 percent of samples, with contamination levels strongly correlating to the quality of local water supplies. Beers brewed near the Cape Fear River Basin in North Carolina, a region notorious for PFAS pollution, contained the highest concentrations and the widest mix of chemicals.

Why This Study Say About Forever Chemicals In Beer?

This is the first study to directly link municipal water contamination to PFAS levels in U.S. retail beer. While breweries often use filtration systems, these methods are not designed to capture PFAS. As a result, the contamination that begins in local rivers and reservoirs can persist all the way into the finished product.

The results highlight an uncomfortable reality: PFAS contamination doesn’t just stay in the water—it spreads into food and beverages consumed daily. Beer is only the latest product to show evidence of contamination, joining an already long list that includes bottled water, fish, dairy, and vegetables.

“As an occasional beer drinker myself, I wondered whether PFAS in water supplies was making its way into our pints,” said Redmon in a statement. “I hope these findings inspire water treatment strategies and policies that help reduce the likelihood of PFAS in future pours.”

Her comments echo a growing consensus among environmental health experts that solving PFAS contamination requires systemic change. Since individual breweries can do little to alter the chemical composition of municipal water, solutions must come from upgrading public water systems and enforcing stricter industrial discharge regulations.

What Are The Health Risks Beyond the Glass?

For consumers, the immediate concern is how much PFAS exposure from beer actually contributes to long-term health risks. The EPA’s new standards set the safe threshold for certain PFAS, including perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), at near-zero levels in drinking water. While the amounts found in beer are relatively small per serving, scientists warn that cumulative exposure across multiple sources—water, food, packaging, and now beer—poses a real risk over time.

The issue extends far beyond breweries. PFAS contamination has been detected in rivers, groundwater, and public water systems across the United States and around the globe. A seven-fold increase in Google searches for “PFAS” in the past five years reflects rising public concern as awareness grows.

Everyday products contribute to the exposure cycle: waterproof clothing, stain-resistant upholstery, non-stick pans, and even cosmetics like waterproof mascaras can shed PFAS into the environment. Once in the ecosystem, they seep into soil, water, and eventually our bodies.

For casual drinkers, a pint of beer is unlikely to be the sole driver of PFAS-related health risks. However, the study reinforces a broader message: PFAS are everywhere, and beer is another reminder of how pervasive they’ve become. Health experts emphasize that reducing exposure across all possible sources is key, since the chemicals accumulate in the body over time.

As Dr. Redmon’s team points out, the solution doesn’t lie in avoiding beer altogether—it lies in addressing the root of the problem: contaminated water systems and unchecked chemical pollution.

Fermented foods have long been a staple across cultures for centuries, India's curd and pickles, sauerkraut of Europe, and kimchi of Korea. They are not only a matter of tradition and taste, but increasingly a solution to gut health, immunity, and wellness. Emerging science suggests they could quite possibly unlock improved mental health, influence neurotransmitters, and soothe anxiety and depression.

Fermentation is a natural process by which microorganisms such as yeast or bacteria break down complex food molecules. Not only is it self-preserving for foods, but it also enhances their nutritional content. As foods ferment, they release short-chain fatty acids that help digest food and nourish cells in the intestines. The process also makes the nutrients more accessible, producing B-vitamins, vitamin K2, bioactive peptides, and organic compounds like lactic and acetic acid. Enzymes developed during fermentation assist in the breakdown of carbohydrates, protein, and fat, and retard anti-nutrients such as phytates and oxalates facilitating mineral absorption such as iron, zinc, calcium, and magnesium.

Fermented foods typically contain live microbes, probiotics such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Even if the microbes are killed, their waste, which are called postbiotics, retain the capacity to achieve health benefits.

The mantra "a healthy gut equals a healthy you" never rang more true. Fermented foods deliver beneficial bacteria that rebalance microbes, combat harmful microbes, and support digestion. Live-culture ferments provide metabolites in the form of short-chain fatty acids, bacteriocins, and organic acids that push out pathogens, lower gut pH, and promote good bacteria.

Fermentation also predigests carbohydrates and complex proteins, tenderizing food on the digestive tract. Enzymes in fermented milk help lactase-deficient individuals digest milk products easily. Additionally, the breakdown of antinutrients improves mineral absorption—a critical advantage over vegetarian diets.

How Fermented Foods Boosts Immunity?

A healthy immune system starts in the gut. By providing support for probiotic gut bacteria, fermented foods are able to modulate immune function, improve gut-barrier integrity, and cause regulatory T-cell responses that control inflammation. Yogurt, kefir, and fermented cereals stabilize intestinal flora, which can indirectly improve overall immunity and protect the body from infection.

What Is The Gut-Brain Axis?

Your gut and brain are in constant communication through what is known as the gut-brain axis. This "highway" connects the gut and central nervous system by nerves, hormones, and immune signals. A balanced gut microbiome can soothe inflammation, regulate neurotransmitter production, and influence mood and thought. An imbalanced gut, however, can contribute to depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline.

Research more and more points towards fermented foods to be the key players in this regard. Research in EMBO Molecular Medicine identified probiotic-rich fermented foods to reduce depression and anxiety. In a mice study, mice with probiotics from fermented foods showed less stress and anxiety-like behaviors. The mechanism is through modulation of neurotransmitters such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which controls nerve activity in the amygdala area of the brain—the brain region responsible for fear and emotion.

How Fermented Foods Influence Neurotransmitters?

The gut microbiome has a direct influence on the production of neurotransmitters. Nearly 95% of the neurotransmitter serotonin, the "feel-good" one, is produced in the gut. The probiotics in fermented foods can influence serotonin and other neurotransmitters like dopamine and GABA, which have a direct influence on mood, anxiety, and sleep. In essence, what you eat can influence how you feel directly.

Benefits for Specific Health Conditions

Fermented foods are helpful in an array of conditions:

Gastrointestinal illnesses: Yogurt, kefir, and curd rice can restore intestinal balance with antibiotic therapy or occasional IBS.

Lactose intolerance: Cultured milk is more easily digested.

Mineral deficiency: Fermented legumes and cereals increase iron and zinc bioavailability.

Oral and vaginal health: Food containing lactobacillus might maintain healthy bacterial counts.

However, fermented foods must be eaten under careful circumstances: immunocompromised people, histamine intolerance, active SIBO, or hypertensive patients have to hold back on aged or high-sodium ferments. Pregnant women should opt for clean, pasteurized sources to play it safe.

Tips to Eat Fermented Foods Effectively To Reap Mental Health Rewards

For best mood-boosting effects of fermented foods, choose products with live and active cultures. Pasteurized products have zero live probiotics and therefore are less effective. Notably, fermented alcoholic beverages like beer or wine do not have the same probiotic effects.

Yogurt and Kefir: Both have Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, linked to reduced anxiety and depression.

Kimchi and Sauerkraut: Rich in lactic acid and prebiotic fibers to nourish beneficial bacteria.

Miso and Tempeh: Provide brain-benefiting probiotics and amino acids that assist with mental health.

Steer clear of excessive sodium and sugar, since excessive intake can disrupt gut microbiome balance and eliminate the benefits.

What Is Nutritional Psychiatry?

Nutritional psychiatry encourages paying attention to food's impact on mood. A convenient technique is a two-to-three-week trial period of a "clean" diet free from processed foods and sugar and tracking changes in body and mind. Gradual reintroduction of foods allows you to identify the foods that enhance or hamper your mood, showing the strong link between diet, gut microbiome, and mental health.

While fermented foods contain strong benefits, moderation is the key. Bloating, gas, or an upset stomach can happen in a few individuals if they overindulge. For most individuals, incorporating a variety of fermented foods in a total balanced diet is the best means to get both gut and brain reward.

Fermented foods are more than a culinary or cultural trend—potentially, they are a gateway between gut health, diet, and mental wellness. By affecting neurotransmitters, supporting gut microbiota, and enhancing nutrient absorption, fermented foods offer tangible value to mood regulation, anxiety alleviation, and overall health. Incorporating live-culture ferments like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and miso into your daily regimen might be an easy yet potent way to improve both brain and body.

Milkshakes may be a nostalgic treat, but new research warns they might be doing more harm than good to your brain. And no, we’re not just talking about the dreaded brain freeze.

A recent study published in The Journal of Nutritional Physiology found that just one high-fat milkshake can impair blood vessel function in a matter of hours. The results are a wake-up call about how quickly a single indulgent meal can impact both heart and brain health.

The “Brain Bomb” Experiment

Researchers tested two groups of men, 20 participants between ages 18 and 35, and 21 participants between ages 60 and 80. Each volunteer consumed what scientists described as a “high-fat milkshake.”

This wasn’t your average dessert order, the concoction was made with:

• 350 ml of heavy whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup
• 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon of instant non-fat dry milk

Each shake packed 1,362 calories, 48 grams of carbohydrates, and 9.5 grams of protein. The researchers even gave it a nickname, the “brain bomb.”

What Happened After Drinking the Shake

Before participants drank the shake, researchers measured their blood flow using ultrasound. They repeated the test four hours later, this time while the participants performed squats.

The results were striking: blood vessels showed a reduced ability to constrict and relax properly, a sign of impaired vascular function. This effect was seen in both younger and older participants, but was about 10% more pronounced in the older group.

The study authors noted that this kind of impairment could cause brief fluctuations in blood pressure — meaning too little or too much blood might reach the brain for short periods.

Why Blood Vessel Function Matters for the Brain

Healthy blood vessels are key for regulating blood pressure and ensuring a steady flow of oxygen to the brain. When they don’t work properly, the brain can experience short-lived episodes of poor blood flow. Over time, this can raise the risk of:

Stroke – caused by restricted or blocked blood flow

Cognitive decline – reduced oxygen supply can damage brain cells

Dementia – impaired blood circulation has been linked to vascular dementia

“Swings in blood pressure become harder to manage,” the researchers explained. “That can mean brief episodes of too little or too much blood reaching the brain. Over time, this increases the risk of developing conditions like stroke and dementia.”

Not Just About Long-Term Health

One of the key takeaways from this study is how immediate the effects were. The researchers emphasized that even a single high-fat meal, not just a long-term unhealthy diet, can have measurable consequences.

“Our study offers a timely reminder that diet doesn’t just shape our long-term health. It also affects our body and brain in real time. And as we’re learning, when it comes to protecting brain health, every meal may count,” the scientists wrote.

Should You Avoid Milkshakes Completely?

While this study sounds alarming, experts stress that the occasional indulgence is not necessarily harmful. The problem arises when high-fat, high-calorie meals become a regular part of the diet.

A single milkshake might not cause lasting damage, but repeated exposure to high-fat foods could keep blood vessels in a near-constant state of stress, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and cognitive issues over time.

Think Before You Sip

This research highlights a critical point, our brain health is impacted by what we eat, meal by meal. That creamy milkshake might feel like comfort food, but it could be temporarily reducing blood flow to your brain within hours.

If you enjoy milkshakes, consider making lighter versions with lower-fat milk or plant-based alternatives, or save them for rare occasions rather than a frequent treat. Your brain, and your heart, may thank you for it.

Evenings at home are often filled with guests, friends, peaceful strolls and conversations to wind down after work. During these times, most of us have found ourselves strolling into markets and finding whatever street food we find appetizing and eating it. Although it is not often that you may snack like this, these evening snacks can be a major setback for our health.

However, what can one eat during this time? Evening snack cravings are tough to beat, and it's easy to reach for fried or sugary foods that taste great in the moment but aren't good for you. In a recent Instagram video, Gastroenterologist Dr. Pal pointed out that popular Indian snacks like samosas, jalebi, pani puri, vada pav, kachoris, fried momos, and namkeen mixtures should be avoided. He also included common fast foods like burgers and butter-heavy pav bhaji on his list.

However, having these once in a while may not seem like a big issue, it eventually adds up, causing you to not only increase your calorie count for the day, but also causing you to increase your fat and sugar content. But why should one avoid high levels of these components if we need them for our body to function?

Why You Should Avoid Foods With High Sugar And Fat Content

According to an American Diabetes Association 2021 review, looked into how fried foods to health problems like type 2 diabetes, though the results have sometimes been mixed. They conducted a controlled trial with 117 young, overweight adults. One group ate meals with fried meat, while the other group ate the same meals with meat that was boiled, steamed, or served with sauce. Both groups’ meals were otherwise identical and healthy.

After four weeks, both groups saw improvements in their health, likely because they were eating healthier overall. However, the group that ate fried meat showed less improvement in key markers of glucose (blood sugar) control and insulin resistance. This suggests that eating fried meat can negatively affect how your body manages sugar. The study also found some key differences in the fried meat group:

Gut Health

They had a lower variety of gut bacteria and different bacterial structures, including a higher ratio of bacteria often linked to type 2 diabetes.

Inflammation

They had higher levels of inflammation and a lower reduction in certain gut toxins, which are known to be harmful.

Body Signals

They also had less of a hormone that helps regulate appetite and sugar intake.

These findings suggest a potential link between fried food, changes in gut bacteria, and the body’s ability to handle sugar. The researchers also tested this on mice and found similar results, which adds even more support to their conclusions.

Healthy Evening Snack Alternatives You Can Try

Dr. Pal explained that while these snacks may be comforting, they are high in oil, sugar, and calories, which can lead to weight gain, poor heart health, and other issues. Instead of these unhealthy options, he suggests a variety of satisfying and nutritious alternatives. His recommendations include:

• Steamed Wheat Momos
• Chicken & Veggie Lettuce Wraps
• Chana Chaat
• Steamed Masala Corn
• Sprout Salad
• Paneer Tikka Grilled With No Oil
• Homemade Veg Soup
• Stuffed Basan Cheela (Paneer/ Veggies)
• Egg Bhurji With Whole-Wheat Toast
• Roasted Makhana