'Very hot' coffee and tea linked to higher cancer risk in nearly 1 million adults

Regularly drinking very hot tea or coffee may raise the risk of a type of esophageal cancer, according to a large study at the University of Oxford.

People who reported drinking beverages "very hot" had about three times the risk of developing oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a type of cancer that begins in the cells lining the esophagus, compared to those who drank warm beverages.

Drinking six or more hot drinks per day was associated with a 71% higher risk of the disease. The same link was not seen for esophageal adenocarcinoma (AC), a type of cancer that develops in the lower part of the esophagus.

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The study included nearly 1 million U.K. adults, making it the largest investigation of its kind to date, according to lead study author Keren Papier, a nutritional epidemiologist at the University of Oxford.

Roughly half of the participants were from the Million Women Study (MWS), who were followed for an average of 14 years, and the other half were from the UK Biobank (UKB), who were followed for 11 years.

"Compared with people who reported drinking their beverages ‘warm,’ those who drank them ‘hot’ had around a 1.7 times higher risk of SCC, while those who drank them ‘very hot’ had around a three times higher risk," Papier told Fox News Digital.

The study was published in the International Journal of Cancer.

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The researchers estimated that, if the observed association reflects a true cause-and-effect relationship, about 14% of SCC cases could potentially be prevented if people drank beverages "hot" rather than "very hot."

The biggest limitation, according to the researchers, is that beverage temperatures were self-reported rather than directly measured. Because people's tolerance for heat differs, participants may have classified similar temperatures differently.

"A limitation of our study was that, although we examined associations by self-reported preferred drink temperature, we did not have data on directly measured drink temperatures, and, therefore, cannot determine how self-reported drink temperature is likely to relate to absolute drink temperature," Papier noted.

"These findings don't mean people need to stop drinking tea or coffee. Just let your drinks cool down a little before drinking them."

An outside cancer specialist agreed the findings are biologically plausible but said they should be interpreted in context.

Dr. Aaron Sasson, chief of surgical oncology and co-director of the gastrointestinal oncology team at Stony Brook Cancer Center in New York, said it’s been known that drinking hot beverages or liquids can be irritating to the esophagus and that it could contribute to the development of esophageal cancer.

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The hotter the liquid, the higher the risk of a "thermal injury," the doctor told Fox News Digital.

"Similar to burning your hand, if you were to get a burn on your hand, you have an increased risk of getting squamous cell carcinoma of the hand, of the skin developing in the burned area," Sasson said. "So, think of that as constantly repeating a burn to the esophagus."

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The doctor reiterated that this study specifically looked at the risk of squamous carcinomas, not adenocarcinomas.

"In the United States, about 85% of all of our cancers are adenocarcinomas. So, the incidence of squamous carcinomas in the esophagus is quite low, just to put it into perspective," he noted.

The lifetime risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus in the U.S. is less than 1%, the doctor said.

Sasson agreed that there was no "objective measurement" of the drinks’ temperature, which poses an unknown variable.

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"If you are a heavy consumer of hot tea or coffee, maybe you'd want to cool it down a little bit," he advised. "But I think, for practical purposes, for most people, [it’s] not the predominant risk factor for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus."

Smoking, heavy alcohol use, acid reflux and obesity are among the better-established risk factors for esophageal cancer, Sasson said.

"If you were to limit alcohol consumption and eliminate cigarette smoking, you will have done wonders for your esophagus."

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Son who lost father in 9/11 attacks shares powerful lessons 25 years later: ‘I’m still here’

As the nation marks 25 years since Sept. 11, 2001, the weight of the loss of loved ones still looms.

Podcaster David Ferrugio, author of the new book "You're Not Dead Yet," joined Fox News Digital to discuss how his own grief persists 25 years after 9/11.

The host of the "DEAD Talks" podcast lost his father, David Frances Ferrugio, who worked at the World Trade Center, in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

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Ferrugio, who was 12 years old and living in New Jersey at the time, recalls watching television footage of the towers collapsing and "breaking down."

"It was like a dividing moment in my memory and my life, because I was one person on September 11th and then on September 12th. It was a whole new reality I walked into, which inspired what I'm doing."

After years of internalizing his emotions, Ferrugio discovered the power of sharing stories of grief. On his podcast, he invites guests to discuss their own experiences with death and loss.

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"Eventually, I got comfortable expressing myself and learning the importance of just sharing [my] story and telling people how I feel and opening up," he said.

Drawing from his own experiences, Ferrugio shares several lessons that have helped him navigate grief.

Although discussions of grief can be difficult, even decades after a traumatic event like 9/11, Ferrugio said "embracing the uncomfortable" and talking it out is "an important piece of this complex puzzle."

Sharing stories of loss can provide emotional release while also helping others feel less alone, he noted, adding that he's seen firsthand how those conversations can make a difference.

"Even when I have my days of just not feeling it, I'm reminded by the people who reach out and the way they share their story ... how much it is impacting so many people."

Finding a sense of community can be especially meaningful at a time when so many people are experiencing loneliness, whether they're grieving or not, Ferrugio added.

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"I've learned so much through the eyes of others, and I think the storytelling is just so vital."

Fear of judgment often keeps people from sharing their stories, even though doing so can bring a sense of "liberation," according to Ferrugio.

More than two decades after the attacks, Ferrugio shared that his mental health has improved after putting in "a lot of effort," including shifting his perspective on life and death.

"Life and death are the same coin, just two different sides – and there's a thin veil between them," he said.

"It’s completely shifted the way I live my life through seeing what other people are going through ... understanding the pain people are experiencing, how they manage it ... how they reframe it, and understanding that as alone as this life can feel, we're not as alone as we think."

Grief can reshape how people approach life, Ferrugio said, encouraging them to be more present, embrace the full range of emotions and give themselves grace, even during life's most difficult times.

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"Ultimately, all these conversations I've had are conversations about grief, but they're really conversations about how we can live this life."

When painful emotions or a wave of grief start to roll in, Ferrugio's go-to technique is to allow himself to feel it and "breathe it out."

"A lot of breath work works wonders for me," he said. "A deep breath is going to do more for you than you think."

Along with breath work, Ferrugio said exercising and spending time in nature have helped calm his nervous system, noting that what works best varies from person to person.

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"We forget to look inward, and we all have that intuition and that guttural feeling – we have to trust what we're saying to ourselves," he said. "What feels good? Does this feel like it's working?"

According to Ferrugio, it’s important to allow for moments of joy, even during times of grief.

"Give yourself permission to feel moments of levity, to feel moments of joy, even if it is for five seconds … just take those moments and cherish them, because the contrast of the joy and pain exists for a reason."

"It's not easy to feel however you feel, but it takes a lot of effort and discomfort to try to step out of that … Whatever we go through in life, it's an ebb and flow, and sometimes both are happening at the same time."

On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Ferrugio acknowledged that the pain of losing his father remains.

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"For anyone else who's been part of that day, I just hope they look back at the days they've gone through and see that they're still here," he said. "You're still with us, and you’re still grinding, you're showing up for the people in your life."

"It's important to zoom out and realize, ‘I've done this for 25 years, and I'm still here.’"

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Alcohol tied to surprising cancer death pattern in adults under 55, researchers find

Annual U.S. cancer deaths tied to alcohol consumption more than doubled over a three-decade period, according to a recent study led by researchers at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

The findings, published in The Lancet Regional Health — Americas and presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting in Chicago, revealed that alcohol-attributable cancer deaths jumped from 11,361 in 1990 to 23,126 in 2023.

Researchers analyzed more than 30 years of data from the Global Burden of Disease study to track the trends.

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While alcohol has long been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, surveys show that awareness of its link to cancer remains limited.

"The most surprising finding was the breadth of alcohol’s potential impact across cancer types," Chinmay Jani, M.D., corresponding author of the study and chief fellow in hematology and oncology at Sylvester, told Fox News Digital.

"Although its relationship with liver cancer is widely recognized, its contribution to cancers such as colorectal, esophageal, breast, pancreatic and prostate cancer is less understood by the public."

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The research showed that older adults and men bore the highest overall burden of alcohol-related cancer deaths. Among older men, liver cancer was the primary cause of alcohol-attributable mortality, followed closely by esophageal and colorectal cancers.

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Breast cancer was the leading cause of alcohol-related cancer deaths among women overall, the study found.

Among younger adults between the ages of 20 and 54, colorectal cancer emerged as the leading cause of alcohol-attributable cancer deaths in men and the second leading cause in women, surpassing liver cancer in both groups.

The authors noted that the findings carry significant weight for public health messaging, particularly because general awareness surrounding alcohol's connection to various cancers remains low compared to known risks like tobacco use.

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Because no minimum "safe" level of alcohol has been established, researchers said drinking less may help lower long-term cancer risk.

Because the study used existing national data rather than following individuals over time, researchers couldn’t determine each person’s exact drinking habits or account for every lifestyle factor.

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As a result, the findings show a strong association between alcohol use and cancer deaths, but they cannot prove that alcohol directly caused those deaths or establish a specific "safe" drinking limit.

"What this study makes clear is that alcohol-related cancer risk is not limited to one disease or one group of people," Gilberto Lopes, M.D., senior author and chief of the Division of Medical Oncology at the Miller School, told Fox News Digital.

"As physicians and cancer researchers, we have an opportunity to help patients understand that alcohol is a modifiable risk factor and that even small, informed changes can be part of a broader strategy to reduce cancer risk in our community."

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Ground Zero first responder needed major surgery decades after 9/11 exposure: ‘I thought it was over’

Those who were present at Ground Zero on Sept. 11, 2001, continue to experience the physical effects of their exposure.

As Lower Manhattan was engulfed in dust and debris from the remnants of both towers, first responders and survivors were forced to breathe in toxic air.

More than 400,000 people were exposed to toxic contaminants, physical-injury risks and stressful conditions in the days, weeks and months following the attacks, according to the World Trade Center Health Program.

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As of March 2025, 8,215 people who had enrolled in the WTC Health Program had died, including 5,844 responders, as reported by the CDC. The figures include deaths from all causes; the program does not track whether a member’s death was related to 9/11 exposure.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Mordechai Shedrowitzky, a volunteer EMT who responded on 9/11, shared how his exposure led to multiple hospitalizations and, ultimately, major surgery.

Queens-born Shedrowitzky, 51, was living in Brooklyn at the time of the attacks. After helping cover his local area for much of the day, he headed into Lower Manhattan that evening to assist with the response.

"My most vivid memory was actually entering Manhattan from Brooklyn," he said. "As we approached the tunnel, the first thing we noticed was there were no lights, there was no electricity in the area, it [was] pitch black."

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"When we entered the tunnel, there was a tremendous amount of swirling debris, at speeds that I just can't even imagine."

Once Shedrowitzky and his team arrived at South Street Seaport, where his ambulance was staged with others, he described the debris as "overwhelming."

"I remember the engine actually sputtering at times," he said. "I would imagine that it was taking in a tremendous amount of dust."

"We were definitely not cognizant of what effect ... the air might have on us. And therefore, we did spend a significant amount of time outside of the ambulances, just commiserating with the people around us."

Shedrowitzky said he "thought it was over" once he left the scene. But years later, he noticed small symptoms that were turning into a big problem.

His pre-existing asthma — which typically flared during seasonal changes and caused coughing that required an inhaler — was worsening each year.

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"I started to require oral steroids," he said. "I would have wheezing; I would have coughing. It would last longer; it would be more serious ... I wouldn't be able to go to work, wouldn’t be able to take care of my kids. So, the effects were definitely increasing over time."

Shedrowitzky added that his condition was "getting to the point where it was leading to frequent respiratory infections and hospitalizations."

"It took a number of years, many years, for us to realize that what was going on with my health was probably related to 9/11."

In 2019, Shedrowitzky described that his condition got "significantly worse," after experiencing a cough that wouldn’t resolve itself, even after the "highest doses" of steroids and antibiotics.

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Shedrowitzky ultimately was put in touch with the World Trade Center Health Program – a federal program administered by the CDC – where his condition was classified as 9/11-related and was monitored.

It was eventually confirmed that Shedrowitzky had tracheobronchomalacia, a condition in which the walls of the windpipe and major airways weaken and collapse during breathing.

"[It] was probably secondary to both the asthma getting worse as well as steroid use over the years to try to treat those symptoms," he said.

In 2024, Shedrowitzky underwent a procedure called a tracheobronchoplasty to structurally reinforce his trachea and main bronchi.

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Two years after the procedure, he said he is feeling "much better," although he still experiences occasional infections. He hopes to return to work as a physical therapist soon.

"Even a couple of months ago, I wouldn't have been able to speak for more than a very short time," Shedrowitzky said.

As a father of six, Shedrowitzky – who is now also a grandfather of two – said his condition made it difficult for him to spend time with his children as they were growing up.

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"Things as simple as lifting my children, even speaking to them," he said. "The amount of time that I spent in the hospital and its effect on them was quite significant."

"Now, they're older, but my ability to spend time, interact with them ... has been greatly improved."

Dr. Denise Harrison, medical director of the NYU Grossman School of Medicine WTC Health Program Clinical Center of Excellence, has been involved in post-9/11 healthcare since 2002.

The program has since grown to provide screening, monitoring and treatment for people experiencing health effects related to their 9/11 exposure.

The doctor noted that the dust on 9/11 was "highly alkaline," which can be "very irritating" to the airways.

"Usually, the larger size dust gets deposited in the upper airways and the smaller size dust gets deposited in the lower airways," she told Fox News Digital. "Because of the overwhelming nature of the disaster, a significant number of large particles got deposited into the lower airways as well. So, this is not just the airways, but also the digestive tract, in the esophagus."

Harrison said patients often report sinus problems, asthma and COPD. These conditions can occur alongside other "aerodigestive" issues, including gastroesophageal reflux disease, which may complicate diagnosis and treatment.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Other 9/11-related conditions may also be interlinked.

"We have patients with asthma and PTSD who might perceive their asthma symptoms differently than the patients without PTSD, so that requires a combination of providers," the doctor said.

Shedrowitzky urged other first responders who are experiencing health issues to not wait to get help and to confirm that what they’re experiencing may be linked to 9/11.

"Continue to be monitored so that potential issues can be picked up early," he advised.

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"If we can look back and see the quality of life that it's robbing you of, it might push you to contact the World Trade Center Health Program, get the help that you need."

As of March 31, 2025, the WTC Health Program had more than 130,000 currently enrolled members.

The program, which is authorized through 2090, operates branches across multiple health systems, including NYU Langone Health, Mount Sinai, Northwell, Stony Brook and Rutgers.

Harrison reiterated that the health effects of 9/11 exposure remain "persistent," and can be exacerbated by the environment and other illnesses. Experts predict that the fallout will continue for decades to come.

"Symptoms are still ongoing and research is still ongoing," she said, urging the public and responders to "have patience."

"While it might not directly benefit them or may provide some benefits now, it could be more beneficial in the future and help the overall response to disasters."

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9/11 death toll keeps growing decades later as toxic exposure haunts survivors

Those who were present at Ground Zero on Sept. 11, 2001, continue to experience the physical effects of their exposure.

As Lower Manhattan was engulfed in dust and debris from the remnants of both towers, first responders and survivors were forced to breathe in toxic air.

More than 400,000 people were exposed to toxic contaminants, physical-injury risks and stressful conditions in the days, weeks and months following the attacks, according to the World Trade Center Health Program.

SCIENTISTS DISCOVER POSSIBLE LINK BETWEEN 9/11 AND ACCELERATED AGING

As of March 2025, 8,215 people who had enrolled in the WTC Health Program had died, including 5,844 responders, as reported by the CDC. The figures include deaths from all causes; the program does not track whether a member’s death was related to 9/11 exposure.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Mordechai Shedrowitzky, a volunteer EMT who responded on 9/11, shared how his exposure led to multiple hospitalizations and, ultimately, major surgery.

Queens-born Shedrowitzky, 51, was living in Brooklyn at the time of the attacks. After helping cover his local area for much of the day, he headed into Lower Manhattan that evening to assist with the response.

"My most vivid memory was actually entering Manhattan from Brooklyn," he said. "As we approached the tunnel, the first thing we noticed was there were no lights, there was no electricity in the area, it [was] pitch black."

FOX NEWS' ERIC SHAWN REVEALS CANCER AND RESPIRATORY ILLNESS FROM 9/11 TOXIC DUST

"When we entered the tunnel, there was a tremendous amount of swirling debris, at speeds that I just can't even imagine."

Once Shedrowitzky and his team arrived at South Street Seaport, where his ambulance was staged with others, he described the debris as "overwhelming."

"I remember the engine actually sputtering at times," he said. "I would imagine that it was taking in a tremendous amount of dust."

"We were definitely not cognizant of what effect ... the air might have on us. And therefore, we did spend a significant amount of time outside of the ambulances, just commiserating with the people around us."

Shedrowitzky said he "thought it was over" once he left the scene. But years later, he noticed small symptoms that were turning into a big problem.

His pre-existing asthma — which typically flared during seasonal changes and caused coughing that required an inhaler — was worsening each year.

AMERICA'S FIREFIGHTER SHORTAGE HITS CRISIS LEVEL AS EMERGENCY CALLS TRIPLE, PUTTING LIVES AT RISK

"I started to require oral steroids," he said. "I would have wheezing; I would have coughing. It would last longer; it would be more serious ... I wouldn't be able to go to work, wouldn’t be able to take care of my kids. So, the effects were definitely increasing over time."

Shedrowitzky added that his condition was "getting to the point where it was leading to frequent respiratory infections and hospitalizations."

"It took a number of years, many years, for us to realize that what was going on with my health was probably related to 9/11."

In 2019, Shedrowitzky described that his condition got "significantly worse," after experiencing a cough that wouldn’t resolve itself, even after the "highest doses" of steroids and antibiotics.

NAVY VETERANS REUNITE AFTER 30 YEARS FOR 'GRUELING' CROSS-COUNTRY BIKE CHALLENGE HONORING 9/11

Shedrowitzky ultimately was put in touch with the World Trade Center Health Program – a federal program administered by the CDC – where his condition was classified as 9/11-related and was monitored.

It was eventually confirmed that Shedrowitzky had tracheobronchomalacia, a condition in which the walls of the windpipe and major airways weaken and collapse during breathing.

"[It] was probably secondary to both the asthma getting worse as well as steroid use over the years to try to treat those symptoms," he said.

In 2024, Shedrowitzky underwent a procedure called a tracheobronchoplasty to structurally reinforce his trachea and main bronchi.

RUDY GIULIANI REVEALS HE HAD 'SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE' WHILE IN PNEUMONIA-RELATED COMA

Two years after the procedure, he said he is feeling "much better," although he still experiences occasional infections. He hopes to return to work as a physical therapist soon.

"Even a couple of months ago, I wouldn't have been able to speak for more than a very short time," Shedrowitzky said.

As a father of six, Shedrowitzky – who is now also a grandfather of two – said his condition made it difficult for him to spend time with his children as they were growing up.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"Things as simple as lifting my children, even speaking to them," he said. "The amount of time that I spent in the hospital and its effect on them was quite significant."

"Now, they're older, but my ability to spend time, interact with them ... has been greatly improved."

Dr. Denise Harrison, medical director of the NYU Grossman School of Medicine WTC Health Program Clinical Center of Excellence, has been involved in post-9/11 healthcare since 2002.

The program has since grown to provide screening, monitoring and treatment for people experiencing health effects related to their 9/11 exposure.

The doctor noted that the dust on 9/11 was "highly alkaline," which can be "very irritating" to the airways.

"Usually, the larger size dust gets deposited in the upper airways and the smaller size dust gets deposited in the lower airways," she told Fox News Digital. "Because of the overwhelming nature of the disaster, a significant number of large particles got deposited into the lower airways as well. So, this is not just the airways, but also the digestive tract, in the esophagus."

Harrison said patients often report sinus problems, asthma and COPD. These conditions can occur alongside other "aerodigestive" issues, including gastroesophageal reflux disease, which may complicate diagnosis and treatment.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Other 9/11-related conditions may also be interlinked.

"We have patients with asthma and PTSD who might perceive their asthma symptoms differently than the patients without PTSD, so that requires a combination of providers," the doctor said.

Shedrowitzky urged other first responders who are experiencing health issues to not wait to get help and to confirm that what they’re experiencing may be linked to 9/11.

"Continue to be monitored so that potential issues can be picked up early," he advised.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

"If we can look back and see the quality of life that it's robbing you of, it might push you to contact the World Trade Center Health Program, get the help that you need."

As of March 31, 2025, the WTC Health Program had more than 130,000 currently enrolled members.

The program, which is authorized through 2090, operates branches across multiple health systems, including NYU Langone Health, Mount Sinai, Northwell, Stony Brook and Rutgers.

Harrison reiterated that the health effects of 9/11 exposure remain "persistent," and can be exacerbated by the environment and other illnesses. Experts predict that the fallout will continue for decades to come.

"Symptoms are still ongoing and research is still ongoing," she said, urging the public and responders to "have patience."

"While it might not directly benefit them or may provide some benefits now, it could be more beneficial in the future and help the overall response to disasters."

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‘Quiet quitting’ could silently destroy your marriage — 4 ways to bring the spark back

Much like the workplace term that means doing the bare minimum, "quiet quitting" could also happen in marriage, sometimes gradually.

The informal term, which is not a clinical diagnosis, refers to spouses who remain together while reducing their emotional effort, communication or involvement in the relationship, according to experts.

New York City divorce lawyer James Sexton described what "quiet quitting" can look like at home and at work.

 "I'm not going to go through the dramatic gesture of ending this thing," Sexton said. "I'm just going to stop. I'm going to stop paying attention. I'm going to stop participating."

‘QUIET QUITTING’ IN MARRIAGE: THE SUBTLE SIGNS A SPOUSE HAS EMOTIONALLY CHECKED OUT

Silently pulling away from the relationship may seem to be easier than going through the "trauma" of divorce, Sexton told Fox News Digital, and the person avoids looking like the "bad guy" for ending the relationship.

"Very often, you actually receive more sympathy because you're perceived as the victim of the breakup as opposed to the perpetrator," he added.

A lack of effort in a relationship can be a bigger warning sign than frequent conflict, according to Sexton.

"When people are fighting, it kind of means there’s still skin in the game," he said. "The opposite of love is not hate … it’s indifference."

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Dr. Mindy DeSeta, a clinical sexologist and licensed mental health counselor in Miami, said some couples seek help after about 30 years of marriage, when the demands of family life have eased.

"The kids are gone, or they're hitting that retirement age, so they don't have the life distractions, and they're realizing, ‘Wow. I actually quiet quit my relationship when my kids were toddlers,’" she told Fox News Digital.

DeSeta identified four relationship principles, including the following:

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Couples experiencing quiet quitting may continue to function well as a team, managing the household and other responsibilities while becoming emotionally disconnected.

DeSeta said this disconnection can develop gradually as spouses begin living increasingly separate lives.

"When you stop spending the evenings together … you each are kind of doing your own thing. Your shows are different. You're going to bed at different times. … You may have different friend groups. You're working out at different times," she said.

Both experts shared tips for addressing emotional disconnection between romantic partners.

Reconnection often requires small, active steps that restart the momentum, rather than making grand gestures, Sexton suggested.

The divorce lawyer encouraged revisiting the simple acts and gestures that both partners enjoyed early in the relationship.

His suggestions included sending sweet "good morning" texts, writing a note complimenting a partner or sharing a song that sparked a romantic memory.

"It costs nothing, takes 30 seconds to do it," he said. "What does it cost to write an email with a list of 10 things I like about you? These are not only things we welcome receiving under any circumstances, but they're actually reminders."

Oftentimes, quiet quitting looks like zoning out during moments of quality time, DeSeta said.

If one partner scrolls on a phone while watching a movie together, the device can become "the third member of the relationship," signaling where that partner’s attention lies, the expert cautioned.

"When you're on your phone, you're actually saying, ‘I'm choosing to do this versus spending quality time with you,'" she added.

In addition to paying attention during one-on-one activities, the act of asking personal questions — as simple as "how was your day?" — can also help to restore a connection, DeSeta said.

Instead of leading with a complaint about the relationship, Sexton suggested using a positive approach.

For example, instead of saying, "We never spend time with each other anymore," try calling back a positive memory and suggest recreating it.

"Focusing on what we need to work on is harder than focusing on what it is that we really like about this person, what drew us to them to begin with," he said. "Chances are, they might feel far away from who they were at the beginning of the relationship.

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"And maybe our job in a relationship is to try to remind each other of the 'you' and the 'me' before we became the 'we.'"

Making an active effort to flirt with a partner can boost your mood while signaling continued romantic interest, according to DeSeta.

"Let your partner know that you are there to earn them every day," she said, emphasizing the importance of continuing to learn about and pursue a partner throughout the relationship.

"Let them know in the most subtle ways every single day that you care about them, that you're thinking about them. And if you do that, you kind of break this cycle of the quiet quitting, and, eventually, it starts coming back to you."

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Sexton reminded couples that their time together is limited, so illness or tragedy should not be the catalyst for renewed effort.

"Every single person in your life is not permanently gifted to you. They're loaned," he said. "There’s a finite number of times that you're going to be with this person, see this person, tell this person that you love them."

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Weight regain after obesity drugs tied to higher odds of suicidal thoughts in observational study

This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Adults who reported using prescription weight-loss medication in the last year had higher rates of depression, mental-health counseling, suicidal thoughts and suicide-related behaviors compared to people who did not take the drugs, according to an observational study.

The research, conducted at Asan Medical Center in South Korea, analyzed data from 27,741 adults (10,908 men and 16,833 women).

Of these participants, 846 had been taking prescription medications for weight control during the previous year, while 26,895 did not take them.

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The weight-loss drug users were 1.9 times more likely to experience depression and twice as likely to seek mental health counseling.

They were also 2.7 times more likely to have suicidal thoughts and 1.7 times more likely to make a suicide attempt.

The associations were stronger among those using the medications who gained or regained weight.

"The tendency for depression and suicide-related indicators to increase as weight rebounds after using weight-loss drugs may reflect not only the neuropsychiatric effects of the drugs themselves, but also a complex interplay of psychological and social factors associated with failed weight control," the research team wrote in the study.

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The findings were published in the Korean Journal of Family Practice on Aug. 23.

Bonnie Mitchell, a licensed professional clinical counselor in California, noted that this was an observational, cross-sectional study.

"It shows a correlation between weight-loss drug use and self-reported mental health symptoms, but it cannot prove causation," she told Fox News Digital. "It does not demonstrate that weight-loss medications directly induce depression or suicidal thoughts."

The data was collected between 2013 and 2022.

"During most of this period, modern GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists used for weight loss (such as high-dose semaglutide/Wegovy or tirzepatide/Zepbound/Mounjaro) were either not yet on the market or had very limited real world uptake in South Korea," Mitchell said.

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"The study sample captures older anti-obesity agents historically prescribed in South Korea during that decade, including phentermine, diethylpropion, phendimetrazine, topiramate and orlistat."

Central nervous system stimulants – including phentermine-based drugs – have been shown to carry risks of anxiety, mood changes and insomnia, the counselor noted.

"The study highlighted a striking sub finding that found users who gained weight despite taking the medication had 4.2 times higher odds of suicidal ideation compared to non-users," Mitchell noted.

Weight regain or perceived "failure" in weight management can trigger profound guilt, shame, helplessness and psychological distress, according to the expert.

"Individuals with severe obesity have higher baseline rates of depression, anxiety and body dysmorphia," Mitchell said. "A cross-sectional survey cannot separate pre-existing mental health struggles from new symptoms that arose after starting a medication."

More research is needed to determine whether weight-loss medications themselves affect mental health, or whether depression and other symptoms are related to factors such as obesity or difficulties losing weight.

The researchers also need to determine whether mental health risks differ between specific weight-loss drugs.

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"Even though GLP-1 clinical trials show low absolute risk, the FDA’s product labels for chronic weight management drugs (like Wegovy and Zepbound) include warnings to monitor for mood changes," Mitchell noted.

She recommends that a physician conducts a baseline mental health history before prescribing new weight-loss medications, evaluating past or current depression, bipolar disorder, or history of suicidal ideation or behavior.

"Doctors can inform patients and caregivers about potential mood changes so they know what to watch for," Mitchell said. "The next important step for ongoing monitoring would be to schedule check-ins at 4- to 8-week intervals during dose escalation, to evaluate both physiological progress and psychological well-being."

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Patients should contact their healthcare provider immediately if they notice new or worsening depressive symptoms, including the following.

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"Any active suicidal thoughts require immediate emergency medical care," Mitchell advised.

"If a patient develops emergent depression or suicidal ideation during treatment, clinicians should discontinue the weight-loss medication and connect the patient with psychiatric support."

Eli Lilly, manufacturer of the tirzepatide weight-loss medication Zepbound, explicitly mentions "depression or thoughts of suicide" in its safety information.

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"You should pay attention to changes in your mood, behaviors, feelings or thoughts," the website reads.

It further advises patients to contact a healthcare provider if mental health changes are "new, worse or worry you."

On Lilly's medical-information site, the company says that after reviewing clinical trials and medical reports, "no increased risk" of suicidal ideation or psychiatric adverse effects was identified.

Novo Nordisk, manufacturer of the semaglutide weight-loss medication Wegovy, states in its trials that less than 1% of participants experienced suicidal ideation or behavior during treatment. It also says there was "no difference between semaglutide 2.4 mg and placebo."

Fox News Digital reached out to Lilly and Novo Nordisk for comment.

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