Latest news with #AliMattu
USA Today
a day ago
- Health
- USA Today
Mocktails are on the rise. But are they actually better for you than alcoholic beverages?
Mocktails are on the rise. But are they actually better for you than alcoholic beverages? Show Caption Hide Caption Booze be gone! How to take a break from alcohol for Dry January Clinical psychologist Dr. Ali Mattu explains how to commit to Dry January and manage social situations involving alcohol. Self Improved Two decades ago, approximately 72% of young adults in the U.S. reported drinking alcohol regularly. Today, that number has dropped to 62% among adults under age 35, according to Gallup polling data. Several factors contribute to this shift, including the growing popularity of the "sober-curious" movement and wellness trends like Dry January. But beyond social trends, many young adults are intentionally choosing to abstain from alcohol to better relationships or for personal, economic, religious or health reasons. In short, they are breaking with the drinking habits of previous generations. One increasingly popular alternative? Mocktails. These thoughtfully crafted, alcohol-free beverages are making their way onto bar menus, dinner tables and celebrations everywhere. Here's what mocktails are, why they've become so popular and whether switching to them really is better for your health. What are mocktails? Blending the words 'mock' and 'cocktail,' a mocktail is a non-alcoholic drink that replicates the look, feel, experience and sometimes even the flavor of traditional cocktails – minus the booze. But mocktails are usually more than flavored soda. They often feature layered, sophisticated flavors made from 'fruit juices, muddled herbs like mint or basil, alcohol-free bitters, infused syrups, sparkling water and non-alcoholic tonics or spirits,' says Amy Goodson, a nutritionist and registered dietitian at The Sports Nutrition Playbook. "Garnishes such as fruit slices, herbs or spice rims often enhance flavor and visual appeal." Did you read? Will the sober-curious movement take off? Why are mocktails popular? For many, mocktails provide the best of both worlds: The ability to enjoy a celebratory or social beverage without the side effects or risks associated with alcohol. Mocktails are also typically more affordable than alcoholic beverages, and they're accessible to everyone, including those who are pregnant, individuals with religious or dietary restrictions, designated drivers and those recovering from substance use. Mocktails make it possible for any such people "to celebrate together without the need for alcohol," says Jen Messer, a nutrition consultant and registered dietitian at Jen Messer Nutrition. Their growing appeal has even prompted many bars and restaurants to create dedicated alcohol-free drink menus and have bartenders and mixologists trained to craft zero-proof options with the same creativity and care as their spirited counterparts. Don't focus on 'good' or 'bad' food. Your lifestyle habits are key to a heart-healthy diet. Are mocktails a healthier option than alcoholic beverages? While mocktails can contain added sugars or high-calorie ingredients, they are generally considered a healthier alternative to alcoholic beverages. This is primarily due to their lack of alcohol, a substance linked to a wide range of health issues, including liver disease, sleep disruption, hypertension and certain cancers. 'Even low levels of alcohol consumption have been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers, including breast cancer,' notes Messer. Alcohol also acts as a diuretic, which contributes to dehydration. In contrast, "most of the ingredients in mocktails help maintain better hydration,' says Goodson. Mocktails also have the advantage of not impairing your judgment or motor skills the way alcohol can. And they make it possible to still enjoy a social experience without the risk of accidents, poor decisions or waking up with a hangover. This allows mocktails to help you "enjoy a night out without sacrificing the next day," says Messer. At the same time, moderation still matters. Like other trendy foods, "mocktails may give off a 'halo effect,'' warns Messer. 'Since they contain no alcohol, some people may view them as 'healthy' and may consume more than they would of alcohol-containing beverages.' This is ill-advised as mocktails can still be high in sugar and empty calories, and mocktails with energy boosters like matcha or green tea may also contain caffeine "which can affect sleep and increase heart rate," warns Goodson. So long as such considerations are kept in mind though, she says mocktails are "a fun, inclusive option."
USA Today
19-04-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Acid reflux impacts about 20% of American adults. What causes it?
Acid reflux impacts about 20% of American adults. What causes it? Show Caption Hide Caption Psychologist reveals surprising symptoms of anxiety Dr. Ali Mattu explains how small symptoms like muscle soreness or an upset stomach could indicate anxiety. So you're feeling that uncomfortable burning sensation in your chest. Your mouth tastes bitter or sour. The back of your throat is burning. While the occasional heartburn episode usually isn't an indicator of anything major, continuous and recurring symptoms may be an indication of a health issue, such as acid reflux, that's worth consulting your doctor about. "Acid reflux can be managed by most people if they learn the behavior changes they can make and how to appropriately use over-the-counter medications," gastroenterologist Dr. Brijen Shah, a spokesperson for the American Gastroenterological Association, tells USA TODAY. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) impacts about 20% of adults in the U.S., and is more common in women and those who are older, according to the American Medical Association (AMA). Here's what medical experts want you to know about the causes and treatments related to acid reflux. GERD, explained: Left untreated, heartburn can turn into this more serious digestive disease What causes acid reflux? Acid reflux is referred to in the medical community as gastroesophageal reflux (GER), or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) for more severe and long-lasting cases. Both occur when the acidic contents of your stomach are regurgitated up into your esophagus, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). "Acid reflux is either caused by conditions or foods that increase the production of acid or situations or foods which might cause the lower esophageal sphincter to excessively relax, allowing acid and food contents to travel into the esophagus," Shah explains. "We think of acid reflux as a chronic condition that comes and goes." More and more research shows it has a relationship to distress as well as diet. Some causes of GERD include being overweight or obese, being pregnant, having a hiatal hernia and smoking or being exposed to smoke. Certain medications can also cause or irritate existing acid reflux symptoms, including benzodiazepines, calcium channel blockers, certain asthma medications, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and tricyclic antidepressants, according to NIH. What does heartburn feel like? What to know to recognize the symptoms How to get rid of acid reflux In most cases, acid reflux can actually be eradicated for good. Having a hiatal hernia will prolong your symptoms, but in other instances, you can fix your acid reflux, medical experts say. "Most acid reflux can be alleviated with changes in behavior," Shah says. "This can include avoiding certain items such as fried or spicy food, alcohol, tobacco, excessive amounts of chocolate or peppermint. Also, eating large quantities of food can lead to increase acid production and acid reflux. Sometimes making sure that you say sit upright for 60 minutes after eating can also help prevent acid reflux." While lifestyle changes are often the first line of defense against acid reflux, doctors may recommend other measures if those changes prove to not be enough to eradicate symptoms. Some next-level treatments include over-the-counter or prescription medications, such as antacids, foaming agents, histamine (H2) blockers or protein pump inhibitors. For others, surgery may be a better option compared to long-term medication usage. Common surgeries, according to Northwestern Medicine, include Nissen fundoplication — in which the upper part of the stomach is wrapped around the lower esophageal sphincter in order to fix a hiatal hernia and prevent acid reflux — or the Linx procedure, in which a mental ring is implanted at the lower esophageal sphincter in order to create a reflux-preventing barrier.
Forbes
07-04-2025
- Health
- Forbes
We've Come So Far, So Why Aren't Women Thriving?
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO - AUGUST 8, 2018: Photo byIn the twenty-first century, women are achieving more than ever before. They're breaking barriers in boardrooms, earning degrees at unprecedented rates and reshaping leadership across industries. On the surface, the arc of progress looks promising. And yet—a quieter, more unsettling trend is emerging. Despite these extraordinary gains, recent research published in PNAS Nexus highlights two deeply perplexing contradictions in women's psychological well-being: the paradox of declining female happiness and the paradox of the contented female worker. Each exposes how empowerment and emotional fulfillment don't always move in tandem. The paradox of declining female happiness is perhaps the most disorienting development in gender research. Across numerous countries and over several decades, studies show that even as women gain rights, independence and career advancement, their reported happiness levels have, paradoxically, decreased. Dr. Betsey Stevenson, a labor economist and professor at the University of Michigan, remarked: 'We expected happiness to rise as barriers fell. But instead, what we saw was a growing gap between women's and men's reported well-being.' This disconnect may stem from the unseen mental and emotional load that modern women bear. As they ascend professionally, they are still disproportionately responsible for caregiving and household management—a cognitive and emotional strain often invisible in metrics of success. Psychologist Dr. Ali Mattu explains: 'There's a cultural narrative that says you can and should do it all. But psychologically, multitasking between so many high-stakes roles creates chronic stress. Even achievement can feel like pressure.' This burden leads to what many women describe as emotional ambivalence: the coexistence of pride in progress and quiet exhaustion with its price. The second finding is equally striking. Despite pay gaps, limited leadership opportunities and structural inequalities, women consistently report equal or higher job satisfaction than men—a pattern known as the paradox of the contented female worker. Sociologist Dr. Claudia Goldin, whose research focuses on women in the workforce, offered an insight: 'Satisfaction isn't always a reflection of fairness. Sometimes, it reflects recalibrated expectations. If a system trains you to expect less, you can feel grateful for crumbs.' Some experts believe that satisfaction in this context may not indicate happiness but rather resilience and adaptation. Women may express contentment not because conditions are ideal but because they've developed psychological strategies to cope within environments that haven't fully embraced equity. These paradoxes reveal a more profound truth: progress, without emotional and structural alignment, is incomplete. While opportunities have grown, the infrastructures of support—mental health access, equitable labor division and workplace inclusivity—haven't always kept pace. Feminist scholar Dr. Nancy Fraser calls this 'progressive neoliberalism'—where individual empowerment is emphasized, but collective systems remain unchanged. 'We celebrate the success stories, but we often fail to see the systemic fatigue underneath. True well-being isn't just about achieving more. It's about thriving sustainably.' To close the gap between progress and well-being, shifting how we define and pursue gender equity might be a fundamental step. Here's how: Because true empowerment is not just about more choices—it's about feeling good while choosing.
