Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative condition that is linked to a progressive decline of brain functioning affecting memory, thinking, behaviour and other mental abilities. It is the most common type of Dementia, a cluster of diseases that impair brain functioning. An estimated 6.7 million older adults have Alzheimer's disease in the United States. That number is expected to double by 2060, as per data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While genetics and age play significant roles in the development of these conditions, experts emphasize that lifestyle choices, particularly diet, also play a pivotal role.

California-based gastroenterologist Dr Saurabh Sethi recently drew attention to three popular beverages that may increase the likelihood of Alzheimer’s Disease, in addition to significantly harming your brain.

1. Diet Soda

Often marketed as a healthier alternative to sugary drinks, diet soda may be misleadingly harmful. Sweetened with aspartame, a low-calorie sugar substitute that is around 200 times sweeter than natural sugar, diet soda can affect the gut-brain axis—a critical connection between intestinal health and cognitive function.

A study by the Florida State University College of Medicine revealed that even FDA—approved levels of aspartame could impair memory and learning in animals. Additionally, daily consumption of artificially sweetened beverages has been associated with a 2.9-fold increased risk of Dementia.

2. Alcohol

Alcohol is notorious for its negative impact on the brain. Alcohol, including the widely touted wine, disrupts gut bacteria, impairs liver health, and hinders deep sleep, all of which are crucial for brain health.

Deep sleep, specifically slow-wave sleep, plays an essential role in the brain's recovery and maintenance. Studies indicate that losing just 1% of slow-wave sleep annually could raise the risk of dementia by 27%. Moreover, alcohol consumption contributes to obesity and chronic inflammation, both linked to neurodegenerative diseases. As per brain experts, heavy drinking accelerates shrinkage, or atrophy, of the brain, which in turn is a critical determinant of neurodegenerative changes and cognitive decline in ageing.

3. Sports Drinks

Frequently consumed for hydration and energy, particularly sports drinks are often loaded with sugar. The lack of fibre in these beverages leads to rapid sugar absorption, causing spikes in blood glucose and insulin levels. Over time, this can contribute to insulin resistance, a known risk factor for Alzheimer's. Excess sugar intake has been linked to glucose build-up in the brain, which is associated with cognitive decline. Furthermore, diabetics, who are at higher risk for Alzheimer’s, often experience damage to blood vessels in the brain due to elevated blood sugar levels.

How To Identify Alzheimer's Disease

Anyone suffering from symptoms of Alzheimer's disease may experience one or more of the following:

• Memory loss that disrupts daily life, such as getting lost in familiar places or frequently repeating questions.
• Trouble handling money and paying bills.
• Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, work, or during leisure activities.
• Decreased or poor judgment.
• Misplacing things and being unable to retrace steps to find them.
• Changes in mood, personality, or behaviour

A trendy drink that’s become a social media favorite may now have fans thinking twice, after questions were raised about one key ingredient.

Bubble tea, also called boba or pearl milk tea, first appeared in Taiwan in the 1980s. It’s usually made with tea, milk or creamer, a sweetener, and, of course, the signature chewy tapioca pearls.

While its colorful, Instagram-worthy appeal has made it popular around the world, recent safety tests from Consumer Reports suggest there could be reason for concern.

Boba Tea Contains Lead?

Bubble tea, the Taiwanese drink made of black tea, milk, sugar, and chewy tapioca pearls, has won fans worldwide since its debut in the 1980s. But recent findings suggest it may deserve a closer look.

A Consumer Reports investigation in the US found high lead levels in some bubble tea products, echoing earlier concerns about cassava-based foods. The tapioca pearls, the drink’s signature “bubbles,” are made from cassava starch, which can absorb lead and other heavy metals from the soil as the plant grows.

Why Are Tapioca Pearls Harmful?

Lead is naturally present in the Earth’s crust, and much of the world’s soil contains significant contamination. Many fruits and vegetables, including cassava, can absorb heavy metals during growth.

Consumer Reports tested tapioca pearls from popular bubble tea chains, Gong Cha and Kung Fu Tea, as well as packaged boba products from Trader Joe’s and WuFuYuan. Every sample contained some lead. Thankfully, none exceeded the levels that Consumer Reports considers concerning, and none had dangerous levels of arsenic, cadmium, or mercury in a single serving.

“These levels weren’t high enough for us to advise people to completely avoid bubble tea,” said James E. Rogers, PhD, director of food safety research and testing at Consumer Reports.

“However, this wasn’t a comprehensive survey of the boba and bubble tea market. The fact that three out of four samples contained more than half of our level of concern for lead in a single serving is a strong reminder that bubble tea should be enjoyed occasionally, rather than as an everyday drink.”

Beyond heavy metals, the starchy composition of tapioca pearls can pose other risks. Eating large amounts may slow stomach emptying, a condition called gastroparesis, or even cause blockages. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, and people with already slow digestion may be particularly affected.

Bubble Tea and Kidney Health

Bubble tea can also impact kidney health. In 2023, Taiwanese doctors removed more than 300 kidney stones from a 20-year-old woman who reportedly drank bubble tea in place of water. Ingredients such as oxalate and high phosphate levels can contribute to stone formation, though this extreme case likely reflects unusually high consumption.

Jason Tsou, General Manager at WuFuYuan’s parent company, Shanghai ZhouShi Foodstuffs, said the company routinely tests its products for lead through an accredited laboratory. Following these recent findings, they have introduced stricter standards to ensure safety, as per New York Post.

If you often struggle with stress or restless nights, a warm cup of tea is likely your go-to for calming down. Tea’s comforting reputation isn’t just tradition, studies suggest it can support heart health, aid digestion, and more. One key component behind these benefits is L-theanine, an amino acid found in tea leaves. Available as a supplement, L-theanine is thought to help reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and even enhance focus.

It is gaining popularity as a supplement for enhancing focus and relaxation. But does it live up to the hype? Here's what recent research reveals about its effects on attention, reaction time, and cognitive performance.

What Is L-Theanine?

L-theanine is an amino acid naturally found in tea leaves, especially in green tea and loose-leaf varieties, and is believed to offer several health benefits. But first, it helps to understand what amino acids are and why they matter.

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and, ultimately, life itself, as per Healthline. They are molecules used by all living organisms to make proteins. Humans need 20 different amino acids to function properly, 11 of which are essential and must come from food.

Although L-theanine is not essential for survival, research has explored its effects on brain function and cognitive performance.

You can consume L-theanine by drinking teas such as green tea, white tea, or matcha, or by taking it in supplement form, including tablets and capsules.

Can L-Theanine Really Make You Focus Better?

Yes, several studies suggest that L-Theanine can enhance focus and attention. For instance, a 2011 study published in ScienceDirect found that L-Theanine improved attention performance and reaction time in individuals prone to high anxiety.

Additionally, a 2021 study in PubMed Central reported that a single dose of L-Theanine reduced reaction time to attention tasks and increased the number of correct answers in working memory tasks among middle-aged adults.

PMC

L-Theanine appears to have a positive impact on reaction time. A 2025 study published in PubMed found that a 200 mg dose of L-Theanine reduced hit reaction time by 38.65 milliseconds in sleep-deprived individuals during a traffic-related visual recognition task.

PubMed

L-Theanine Effect with Caffeine

When combined with caffeine, L-Theanine may offer enhanced cognitive benefits. A 2010 study in PubMed indicated that the combination of 97 mg of L-Theanine and 40 mg of caffeine improved accuracy during task switching and reduced self-reported tiredness in young adults.

PubMed

L-Theanine: Is It Safe to Use?

L-Theanine is generally considered safe when consumed in moderate amounts, such as those found in tea or supplements. However, as with any supplement, it's advisable to consult with a healthcare provider before starting, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking other medications.

L-Theanine shows promise as a natural supplement to enhance focus and reaction time, particularly when combined with caffeine. While more research is needed to fully understand its long-term effects, current studies suggest it can be a useful tool for those seeking improved cognitive performance without the jitteriness associated with other stimulants.

Disclaimer: The information provided is based on current research and should not replace professional medical advice.

We have been often told that milk, and dairy products are great for our bone health, especially due to its high vitamin D and calcium components. This is also true for yogurt, but is there enough evidence to support this argument? A new study published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition checks exactly take. It has taken a closer look at the question of eating yogurt to improve bone health. While the findings may show promise, the researchers say that evidence is not strong enough to call yogurt a bone-strengthening food on its own.

Why yogurt Is Believed To Be Bone Healthy?

yogurt is made through fermentation of milk, and it uses two specific bacterial strains, namely: Lactobacillus delbrueckii bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus.

While yogurt and milk share similar nutrient profiles, yogurt offers additional benefits due to the above mentioned bacteria. They also produce vitamins and biologically active compound that could support overall health.

When we age, our bones lose mass and bone formation slows down, while resorption or bone breakdown speeds up. This also increases risk of fragility fractures. This is why nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, phosphorus, and potassium play vital role in maintaining strong bones. yogurt is also rich in protein, calcium, zinc, selenium, and vitamin B and K which is also recommended as bone-friendly food.

Some experts also believe that yogurt offers an edge over milk due to the higher levels of certain vitamins and minerals it provides. Furthermore, they claim that there is a better absorption of nutrients through yogurt. However, despite this theory, the studies have only shown mixed results.

How Was the Study On yogurt's Impact On Bone Health Conducted?

For the latest study, the researcher reviewed the existing evidence on yogurt's impact on bone health. The study analyzed data from scientific databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus. These were published between 1970 to 2023.

The team had both the groups, namely: healthy adults and individuals with osteoporosis. The study included a comparison of yogurt intake to no yogurt, non-fermented dairy products, or standard osteoporosis treatments. Then, they evaluated observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs), extracting data on participants’ demographics, yogurt dosage, study duration, and results.

In order to ensure accuracy, the study also assessed the quality of evidence using established methods such as the Newcastle-Ottawa scale and the GRADE system. Finally, they conducted meta-analyses to evaluate two major outcomes, hip fracture risk and femoral bone mineral density (BMD).

What Did The Study On Analyzing yogurt's Impact On Bone Health Find?

The study found that of the 1,302 studies reviewed, only 12 met the eligibility criteria that represented 14 observational studies. Most of them were conducted in the US, Europe, and Asia, and focused on postmenopausal women, a group that is particularly vulnerable to bone loss.

There were some studies that found a relation between higher yogurt consumption to better bone mineral density. On fact, one of them even reported that people who consumed yogurt more frequently had a lower risk of radius osteoporosis and higher hip and femoral neck BMD levels.

However, when researchers pooled the data, the overall effect was quite small. The meta-analysis showed that yogurt intake had a statistically positive but clinically negligible impact on bone density (SMD = 0.009) and no clear association with hip fracture risk.

The team also noted several limitations. Most studies didn’t specify the type of yogurt consumed, whether it was full-fat or low-fat, fortified or plain, or contained live bacterial cultures. Since all the data came from observational studies, it was also hard to prove a cause-and-effect link between yogurt and stronger bones.