High levels of uric acid not only affect our joints and cause kidney stones etc but it can lead to eye issues also. Shocking right!! Purines are present in foods like certain legumes, red meat and seafood etc and uric acid is produced when our body breaks down purines. We can get hyperuricemia if uric acid doesn`t get excreted through urine that is when production exceeds excretion. It is noteworthy that excess uric acid could form MSU or monosodium urate crystals and this MSU can accumulate in our joints, kidneys and ocular tissues etc. It was published in the journal National Centre for Biotechnology Information that excess uric acid could lead to ocular based complications. Therefore, it is necessary that we must keep an eye on uric acid levels for our eye health. High uric acid levels can affect our eyes in these ways. Causes Dry eye disease: We can get dry eye disease if we have high uric acid levels in us. Persons with dry eyes would have insufficient tear production in their eyes. They might have symptoms like irritation, redness, burning and blurred vision etc. There are chances of getting corneal damage also if dry eyes issue persists for a long time. Causes tophi formation: If a person has high uric acid levels, then he or she could have deposits of monosodium urate crystals or topi on their eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea etc. In the beginning, topji might be painless but can lead to swelling, redness and issues in the vision etc. Truth is that the presence of ocular trophy indicates that the person has long term uncontrolled hyperuricemia. Causes uveitis: Iris, ciliary body and choroid form the uveal tract and uveitis is inflammation of this tract. Those persons with uveitis would show symptoms like eye pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision and floaters etc. It is true that if left untreated then uveitis can lead to permanent vision damage. By systemic inflammation and by oxidative stress, hyperuricemia can lead to uveitis in us. Causes glaucoma: Increased intraocular pressure can lead to damage of the optic nerve and this is glaucoma. It was brought out by research that high uric acid levels in us can lead to glaucoma by promoting oxidative stress and vascular dysfunction in the eye. Causes retinal complications: There are chahances of getting decreased capillary density and retinopathy due to persistent high uric acid levels in us. The retinal vessels in the eyes would get damaged due to oxidative stress and systemic inflammation. By this, our vision would get damaged. We could avoid retinal based complications by means of regular eye checkups and by managing our uric acid levels. How to protect our eye health by managing uric acid levels? Uric acid levels can be managed by medications, limiting the intake of purine rich foods and intake of low purine foods like vegetables, whole grains etc. Uric acid could get flushed out from our body by drinking adequate water throughout the day. By this, crystal formation in the joints and ocular tissues would be avoided.

How will you react if you come to know that the food you eat has herbicide in it? For the sake of extending the shelf life or for improving the appearance etc, certain toxic chemicals, additives or substances are used in the processed foods. How many are aware of this? The numbers of additives that are added to the processed foods have increased over the years.  It is worthy to note that these substances could cause harm for our health. Various toxic substances that are present in the processed foods that could harm us are Glyphosate: The fact is that glyphosate is linked to genetically modified food items like soybeans, corn etc. Even certain amounts of this chemical is present in non-organic grains etc. The shocking piece of information is that glyphosate are herbicides used to eliminate weeds. It is revealed that chronic use of this additive could result in cancer or hormonal disruption etc. Artificial sweeteners: In many processed foods, artificial sweeteners like aspartame, saccharin etc are present. These are added to the processed foods like soft drinks etc to provide sweetness without adding calories. It has been brought to light by some research study that high intake of artificial sweeteners could cause changes in gut microbiome and would affect the insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism etc. It must be noted that intake of artificial sweeteners for a prolonged time could cause heart issues and depression etc in adults. Sodium nitrate and nitrite etc: Non-vegetarian processed food items like hot dogs, sausages, bacon`s etc have sodium nitrate and nitrites. These substances are added to maintain the colour and inhibit bacterial growth etc. Point is that when these chemicals meet high temperatures in the stomach, they start to form acid in the stomach and get converted to nitrosamines. It is learnt that nitrosamines could cause certain cancers in us. Excess intake of processed meats can lead to stomach and colorectal cancers in us. Mono sodium glutamate or MSG: Monosodium glutamate of MSG is being used as flavour enhancer in processed foods like soup dishes, frozen meals etc. In some persons, intake of MSG can lead to headaches, nausea etc. Sensitive persons could get mild neurological issues also by consuming MSG excessively. Point is that MSG is linked with cardiotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, neurotoxicity etc. Artificial food colours: Visual appearance of snacks, drinks etc are enhanced by adding artificial food colours like Red 40, Yellow 5 and other artificial dyes etc. These food colours can also lead to behavioural disorders especially in those kids with attention issues. It has been brought out by research that synthetic dyes used in the processed foods could cause hyperactivity, behavioural problems, allergies and certain serious health issues etc. Truth is that those children with issues like ADHD, or autism etc might experience worsened symptoms. Not only that, even healthy kids could get affected. So, please be careful. 

The sweetness, tangy flavour and nutritional benefits make guava a celebrated fruit and many of us eat guava. Guava fruit has important ingredients like vitamin C, dietary fibres plus others like potassium, antioxidants etc and hence eating guava is healthy for us. Consuming guava would provide us with superb health benefits like improved immunity, good digestion, improved skin health, boosts heart health etc. It is really shocking that guava fruit would not suit everybody and some people after eating guava might experience an allergy, spike in the blood sugar levels, digestive issues etc. These people must avoid eating guava fruit. Those prone to bloating: The presence of fructose and vitamin C in guava would lead to bloating in certain individuals. Therefore, those who are prone to bloating must avoid eating guava. It is worthy to note here that when our body consumes more vitamin C than it can absorb excess, it could ferment in the intestines. By this, gas and discomfort would be produced. In some persons, their small intestines would struggle to absorb fructose efficiently. Therefore, consuming guava can result in abdominal swelling plus feeling of fullness etc. Those who are diabetic: The low glycemic index or GI of guava is taken into account by the doctors when they recommend this fruit for people with diabetes. The sugar would be released slowly into their bloodstream. Truth is that portion control is very much needed as eating too much guava can lead to a spike in the blood sugar levels of diabetics. It is good to combine guava with protein to slow down glucose absorption. Those with IBS: Those persons with IBS or irritable bowel syndrome must not consume guava as it can lead to digestive distress in them. Truth is that guava rich in both soluble and insoluble fibres would reduce constipation and help in digestion. Those with eczema or sensitive skin etc: Those persons having sensitive skin must think twice before consuming guava fruit. The reason for this is the presence of bioactive compounds in guava could irritate the skin. It must be noted that certain extracts that would be good for general health would increase eczema or chronic skin problems. This could lead to inflammation, redness and itchiness etc. It is learnt that those with eczema must avoid guava leaves totally or consult a skin doctor for using guava in topical or dietary form etc.

The perfect way to end the day for some of us would be eating a piece of dark chocolates. The presence of antioxidants and lower levels of sugar in the dark chocolates would make them a healthier treat. Not many of us would know that the dark chocolates could harm our body also. These things will happen if we consume dark chocolates during the night before sleeping. Positive effects: Body will repair itself: Both inflammation as well as oxidative stress would be removed by eating dark chocolates containing flavonoids. Truth is that the antioxidants would support our overnight cell recovery when we consume dark chocolates at night. Boost our mood: It is believed that eating dark chocolates during the night would lift our mood after a long day. Feel good chemicals like endorphins and serotonin would be stimulated. By this, we could feel happy and relaxed before going to bed. It is good to eat in moderation. Lowers stress and calms down nerves: Over-thinking would be high especially in the night. So, eating dark chocolates containing magnesium would bring calmness in us and stress would get reduced. Negative effects: Sleep disturbances: Caffeine and theobromine are present in the dark chocolates and these are stimulants. Therefore, intake of dark chocolates in the night would affect the sleep. If we eat dark chocolates too late in the night, then our sleep could get delayed plus we could get a lowered deep sleep quality etc. Late night cravings for sugar: It is known that dark chocolates have less sugar content when compared with milk chocolates. Bitter fact is that eating dark chocolates at night could trigger sugar cravings in the night. The blood sugar would be spiked briefly and this would force us to snack again. For uninterrupted sleep, stable blood sugar levels are important. Chances of acidity or discomfort: After eating dark chocolates late at night, those persons prone to acidity etc would feel uneasy or disiscomfort. As esophageal muscles get relaxed due to theobromine, acidity symptoms would worsen Therefore,, it would be good to eat dark chocolates in the evening and in small amounts. When to eat dark chocolates? This leads to an important question now – When to eat dark chocolates? It would be good to eat dark chocolates in the night one to two hours before going to bed and not right before sleeping. Portion control is very important and combining it with a herbal tea would provide more relaxation during night.