Ever wake up after a fun night out regretting that extra glass of wine? We've all been there—pounding headache, queasy stomach, zero energy. According to doctors, the secret might already be in your fridge. That’s right—cheese could be your new go-to pre-drink fix. Here's how this delicious bite can save your morning after. For most of us, the price of a night out is a throbbing headaches, exhaustion and nausea. Hangover remedies, of course, are a dime a dozen, but few of them carry the seal of approval from a medical expert. But what if one of the most effective ways to avoid a hangover was waiting in your fridge all this time?

Dr. Neena Chandrasekaran, a South Florida-based pulmonary critical care physician, recently tok to TikTok to share a surprisingly easy—and delicious—advice on how to prevent hangovers before they start. Her tip? Cheese.

It's not simply about excess—cheese might even be of biological use, incidentally, if eaten prior to consuming alcohol. "If you're going out for the evening and you're going to consume alcohol, having cheese beforehand can reduce your chances of getting a hangover," Dr. Chandrasekaran reported recently in a popular TikTok video that has gone viral. As she concludes, the essential caveat that "no alcohol is better than any alcohol," her counsel is scientifically based.

Cheese has a good balance of macronutrients—protein, fat, and complex carbohydrates. These aid in lining the stomach and slowing down the rate at which alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream. The slower alcohol gets into your system, the smaller the likelihood that your blood alcohol content (BAC) will shoot up quickly, which is one of the main causes of hangover symptoms.

When alcohol enters the system at too great a volume, it overloads the liver, dries out the body, and creates inflammation—all contributors to the hangover process. Cheese buffers that effect to some extent, both decreasing the shock to the system and the misery the morning after.

Why Is Cheese as a Functional Food?

One of the not-so-well-known effects of drinking alcohol is its stripping of essential nutrients such as calcium and B vitamins. Calcium is important for nerve and muscle function, while B vitamins are necessary in energy production and alcohol metabolism.

Dr. Chandrasekaran points out that cheese is high in these two nutrients. By storing them up ahead of time, your body is more capable of coping with alcohol's impact. B vitamins, specifically, help liver enzymes metabolize alcohol—giving a metabolic boost before your first drink.

Link Between Probiotic Cheese and Liver Health

Aside from the traditional brie or cheddar, recent studies also point to the promise of probiotic cheese in counteracting the brash effects of alcohol. A South Korean study tested the effect of cheese enriched with Lactococcus lactis LB1022 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LB1418 on alcohol metabolism.

This probiotic cheese was found to activate the activity of two essential enzymes—alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). These enzymes are integral to metabolizing ethanol and its harmful byproducts. The research also found that this cheese is beneficial in activating pathways in the liver that minimize fat deposition and inflammation—two signatures of chronic alcohol-induced liver injury.

So not only can cheese assist you in waking up without a throbbing headache, but possibly it may safeguard your liver in the long term as well.

Other Ways To Prevent A Bad Hangover

Although cheese can act as a first line of defense, prevention of hangovers works best when done in a holistic manner. Everyone agrees that hydration is key. Alcohol functions as a diuretic, which raises urine production and results in dehydration. Consumption of water between alcoholic drinks can work against this.

Also, including some foods while or after drinking could assist the body in recovering more effectively. Bananas are filled with potassium and restore electrolytes. Watermelon and oranges restore fluids and vitamin C. Eggs supply cysteine, an amino acid that helps to break down acetaldehyde, a poisonous byproduct of alcohol. Ginger alleviates nausea and calms an upset stomach.

The lesson here isn't to drink with reckless abandon but how to take care of your body when and if you do. Cheese, usually just a snack or staple of charcuterie boards, is turning out to be an unlikely protector in the battle against hangovers—providing preventive as well as protective measures when eaten responsibly.

Sure enough, no pre-drinking routine, no matter how healthy, overrides the dangers of overdrinking. Moderation is still the watchword, and people with certain medical conditions or on certain medications should talk to their medical professionals before having a drink.

The next time you’re headed to a happy hour or celebration, consider reaching for a slice of aged gouda or a chunk of Parmesan beforehand. It could be the simple, doctor-approved step that makes your morning-after significantly more bearable.

The United States has been battling many health crises since the beginning of this year. To this never-ending crisis, yet another salmonella outbreak is added, and it has been linked to cucumbers which were grown in Florida.

As per the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s statement on May 19, as reported in Associated Press, at least 26 people across 15 states have gotten sick, and nine were hospitalized.

What Exactly Happened?

The cucumbers were grown by Bedner Growers and were distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales and were sent to various restaurants, grocery stores, and food service companies between April 25 to May 19. As per the AP report, they would be well within its shelf life.

However, as the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted, the first illnesses were actually reported between April 2 to April 28. Some of these people were the ones who had eaten cucumbers while on cruise ships out of Florida.

The outbreak was then discovered after a follow-up inspection. A previous outbreak that had happened, sickened as many as 551 people and led to 155 hospitalization in 2024. The previous outbreak was linked to untreated canal water which was used by the same company, Bedner Growers and another Florida farm, Thomas Produce Company.

In the recent case, salmonella which was found on the farm matched the bacteria in the people who had fallen sick, confirmed the FDA. Organic cucumbers, however, are not affected.

Stores should notify customers who may have purchased the cucumbers, and consumers are advised to discard them if they’re unsure of the source.

Salmonella infection can lead to symptoms like diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, and vomiting. While most people recover within a few days, the illness can be more severe for young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.

What Is Salmonella?

As per the FDA, Salmonella are a group of bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal illness and fever called salmonellosis. It can be spread by food handlers who do not wash their hands and/or the surfaces and tools they use between food preparation steps. It can also happen when people consume uncooked and raw food. Salmonella can also spread from animal to people.

FDA notes that people who have direct contact with certain animals, including poultry and reptiles can spread the bacteria from the animal to food if hand washing hygiene is not practiced.

Pets too could spread the bacteria within the home environment if they eat food contaminated with Salmonella.

What Are The Symptoms Like?

FDA notes that most people infected with Salmonella will begin to develop symptoms 12 to 72 hours of the infection, which lasts for about four to seven days. Most people recover without treatment.

Most people experience these following symptoms:

• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Abdominal Cramps

In severe cases of salmonella, you may experience:

• High fever
• Aches
• Headaches
• Lethargy
• A rash
• Blood in urine and stool

As per the CDC, each year, around 450 people diet in the United States due to acute salmonellosis.

Who Are At More Risk?

Children who are younger than five and the elderly, and people with weakened immune system could be more at risk to have severe salmonellosis infections.

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.

Electrolytes are minerals with an electrical charge, essential for various cellular functions like muscle contraction and maintaining fluid balance during exercise. Adequate electrolyte intake can help prevent dehydration and muscle cramps and support cognitive function and performance. These minerals—sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium—are lost through sweat and urine, making it important to replenish them throughout the day, especially after a run.

Among runners, low sodium levels are often a bigger concern than high levels. Sodium is the electrolyte most commonly lost in sweat, explains registered dietitian Kylee Van Horn. “It plays a key role in both muscle contraction, fluid balance, and the body’s ability to utilize glucose (sugars) in the small intestine,” she says. “It works alongside chloride and potassium to maintain fluid balance.”

Hyponatremia, or dangerously low sodium levels in the blood, typically results from too much fluid relative to sodium. This condition—exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH)—can develop during or after strenuous physical activity and may lead to serious health issues.

Potassium works together with sodium and is vital for muscle contraction, blood pressure regulation, and preventing cramps. The recommended daily intake for potassium is around 4,700 milligrams.

“Magnesium and calcium support muscle contraction and energy production but are lost in smaller quantities through sweat,” Van Horn adds.

Though many people turn to electrolyte drinks, gels, or tablets, it’s easy to overlook that plenty of whole foods are rich in electrolytes. Moreover, many commercial sports drinks may contain only sodium and come with added sugars or other unwanted ingredients, while missing out on other vital electrolytes.

A study published in Nutrients suggests that hydrating foods can make up about 20% of our total water intake. Raw fruits and vegetables have the highest water content and often contain small amounts of electrolytes. These foods also provide carbohydrates, which are necessary for replenishing muscle glycogen after a workout. That’s all the more reason to aim for at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily.

5 Fruits That Help Replenish Electrolytes

Adding a variety of fruits rich in electrolytes to your daily diet can enhance hydration, boost recovery, and support overall performance. Here are five seasonal options you can find at your local market:

1. Strawberries

Best known for their vitamin C content, strawberries also contain potassium. One cup provides about 5% of the daily recommended intake. Blend them into smoothies, add them to oatmeal, or enjoy them on their own. Strawberries may also ease GI distress thanks to their anti-inflammatory effects on the colon.

2. Cherries

Tart cherries support muscle recovery and reduce inflammation. One cup offers 270–300 mg of potassium along with small amounts of calcium, magnesium, and sodium.

3. Bananas

A favourite among runners, bananas offer 422 mg of potassium per medium fruit, plus magnesium. Pairing them with salted peanut butter can add sodium and improve post-run recovery.

4. Mangoes

Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, a cup of diced mango provides nearly 7% of your daily potassium needs and some magnesium. Blend with calcium-rich yoghurt for an electrolyte-packed snack.

5. Watermelons

Composed of 92% water, watermelons are hydrating and contain potassium and antioxidants like vitamins A and C. Add a pinch of salt to boost both flavour and sodium intake.