Sleep and rest are vital to rejuvenate one’s body so it’s equipped to function optimally. Sleep influences everything from one’s mood and cognitive function to one’s physical health. However, certain lifestyle factors can disrupt the quality and patterns of one’s sleep, such as high sugar intake. Here is the lesser-known connection between sugar intake and sleep disturbances and some practical tips to manage one’s sugar intake to promote better sleep. Effects of sugar on sleep patterns Spikes and crashes Eating foods high in sugar, especially before bed, can lead to rapid spikes in blood sugar levels. These spikes trigger the release of insulin, a hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar. The subsequent insulin surge can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar levels, leading to hypoglycemia. These fluctuations can disrupt the sleep cycle, causing frequent awakenings during the night. Restlessness Sugar-rich foods and beverages can act as stimulants and raise blood sugar levels, leading to increased brain activity and arousal. As a result, falling asleep may become more challenging for individuals and lead to feelings of restlessness and tossing and turning throughout the night. Disrupted melatonin production In lay man’s terms, melatonin is considered the “sleep hormone”. This hormone helps the body to regulate one’s sleep-wake cycles.

The eyes act as our windows to the world around us, allowing us to actively interpret external stimuli. While prompt diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions are essential to eye care, it is also important to take preventive measures against vision-related issues. Traveling involves changing weather conditions and direct exposure to sunlight, which can affect the eyes. Here are a few tips to keep in mind while caring for the eyes when traveling: Wear spectacles on long journeys Often, travelers choose to wear contact lenses over spectacles on long journeys, as it is more convenient. However, contact lenses worn over long periods can trigger several eye conditions, including hypoxia and corneal ulcers. Hence, it is advisable to ditch contact lenses for glasses on long-haul travels to avoid eye irritation and potential eye diseases. Carry sunglasses Exposure to UV rays over extended periods can cause blurry vision and increase one’s risk of developing cataracts. It can also trigger cancers such as basal cell carcinoma. An effective way to avoid such repercussions while traveling is to carry sunglasses that offer protection from UV rays. Sunglasses do more than act as style statements; superior-quality sunglasses block UVA and UVB rays, reducing one’s risk of diseases like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts.

Frequent urination is caused by an overactive bladder. This can happen due to aging, weak pelvic muscles, bladder obstruction, and other health conditions such as urinary tract infection and Parkinson’s disease. Unless the underlying condition requires medical intervention, frequent urination can be managed by following certain precautionary measures at home. This involves keeping a watch on what one eats and drinks daily. Here are a few home remedies that can help manage an overactive bladder. Eat fiber-rich foods Since the bowels are located close to the bladder, constipation causes strain on the bladder. This leads to frequent urination. To avoid constipation and manage an overactive bladder, increase the intake of fiber-rich foods. These include whole grains, chickpeas, lentils, oats, split peas, pears, apples, avocados, and Brussels sprouts. Eat plenty of seeds and nuts One of the richest sources of omega-3 fatty acids, nuts, and seeds have several health benefits. Moreover, they have a high percentage of anti-inflammatory properties. These properties can help to alleviate the symptoms of an overactive bladder. One can add seeds and nuts such as pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, and pine nuts to their meals to control frequent urination. Sip on herbal teas A few types of herbal teas have a detox effect on the bladder.

We live in a world that is always on and appreciates the people who run 24X7. This serves as great motivation to put sleep on the back burner. But sleep deprivation is not a heroic feat to boast about. According to the CDC, sufficient rest for adults is seven hours of sleep each night. Lack of sleep can make a person feel exhausted, yawn frequently, and even fall asleep at one’s desk while working. Damaged skin One’s face can usually reveal whether one’s had a rough night. A study on people with sleep deprivation showed signs like downturned corners of the mouth, dark undereye circles, and puffy red eyes. And this is not just applicable to people with chronic sleep deprivation. A good night’s sleep is a pillar of a healthy and effective skincare routine. Clinical treatments and expensive products can only partially help with one’s appearance if one is sleep deprived. Mood changes Poor sleep could affect an individual’s mental, physical, and emotional health. Statistics suggest that people with anxiety and depression are more likely to experience insomnia. Short-term sleep loss could also impact mood, relationships, and stress levels. People dealing with sleep deprivation can experience increased sensitivity to life and work pressures, making them anxious.

Approximately 86 million adults in the country have cholesterol levels over 200 mg/dL. While cholesterol may have many underlying causes, sugary foods, including soft drinks, confectioneries, and other types of desserts, have also been linked as one of the causes of high cholesterol levels. Unfortunately, studies suggest that individuals nationwide consume around 17 teaspoons of added sugar daily, which is 2-3 times the recommended daily sugar intake. Here’s how sugar intake impacts cholesterol levels: Impact of excessive sugar intake on cholesterol Large amounts of sugar convert to liver fat Glucose and fructose are the two molecules found in almost equal proportions in table sugar and high-fructose corn syrup. While all the cells in the body can metabolize glucose, fructose is processed single-handedly by the liver. Therefore, sugary foods and beverages can lead to excessive fructose levels in the body, causing fatty liver disease. Studies have found that individuals with fat accumulation in their liver typically have high LDL cholesterol levels. Accumulation of abdominal fat Fructose is linked to a substantial increase in fat accumulation around the abdomen, which, in turn, triggers diseases like cholesterol, type-2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Increased insulin resistance Insulin is responsible for supplying glucose to cells.

Sugary sodas are the go-to drinks for many, especially when they are looking for a cold beverage. Some sodas that contain lots of sugar might also be marketed as energy drinks to help one stay awake or take on a strenuous task. But such sugary drinks can do more harm than good, especially when one has such beverages every day. So, here are seven ways in which sugary beverages affect health: Liver problems Sugary drinks are usually loaded with compounds like glucose and fructose. While glucose can be metabolized by all cells in the body, fructose is only broken down by the liver. When one has too many sugar-rich drinks, the liver may be overwhelmed. As a result, instead of breaking down all of the fructose, some of it gets converted into fat. A portion of such fat stays in the liver, which can trigger certain types of liver diseases. Leptin resistance Leptin is a hormone produced by fat cells and regulates the number of calories an individual eats and burns. The levels of this hormone can fluctuate in response to certain factors, and excessive intake of sugary sodas could make the body resistant to the hormone’s effects, which is known as leptin resistance.

The immune system serves as the army of the human body, with various defense mechanisms to combat threats such as bacteria and viruses. The stronger a person’s immunity, the more resilient to illnesses they will be. Unfortunately, there are times when a person’s immune system weakens due to a host of reasons: a lack of sleep, bad lifestyle habits, and consumption of non-nutritious food. Here are the signs of weak immune systems in people: High levels of stress Although short-term acute stressors can be beneficial for the body as they increase alertness and mental clarity during tense, fight-or-flight situations, chronic stress is harmful to one’s health. Unfortunately, a weakened immune system increases the likelihood of chronic stress in people. In turn, chronic stress further debilitates one’s health through immune suppression and dysregulation. Frequent episodes of stress trigger auto-immune issues such as ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis, and also flare-ups of allergic reactions like asthma and eczema. Frequent sickness and longer recovery times As implied earlier, the immune system fights viruses and infections with various components such as b-cells, killer-t cells, dendritic cells, and a host of white blood cells. When these components lose effectiveness, the body becomes more vulnerable to health issues like infections and illnesses.

The lungs are the most integral part of the respiratory system in the human body. They are responsible for facilitating gas exchange from the environment into the bloodstream. Maintaining lung function is pertinent for healthy living. Several factors, including indoor pollution, may impact lung health and cause COPD. This can give rise to symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, breathlessness, fatigue, and more. Eight common household factors that contribute to lung damage and cause COPD include: Mold Mold is a fungus that thrives in damp environments and reproduces by spreading spores through the air. Those with allergies to mold spores, lung conditions such as COPD, or a weak immune system, may develop lung infections as a result of this. To avoid these, fix leaks around the home and steer clear of compost piles. Carpet Many carpets are made of durable materials that can trap harmful pollutants like cockroach droppings, mold, dust mites, and toxic gases in their fibers. These pollutants can enter the air when someone walks on the carpet or when it is vacuumed and harm lung health. If possible, consider switching to hard flooring that is easy to clean. Alternatively, use throw rugs that can be cleaned outside the home, vacuum the carpet three times a week, and have it steam cleaned at least once a year.