By Dr. Yara Husein (Food and Nutrition Expert)

Companies often use specific buzzwords on food labels to market products as healthy and weight-loss friendly options. In reality, these options can sometimes have the opposite effect. Here are some common foods and drinks that might be holding you back:

Fat-free dairy products

Many think that fat-free dairy products are ideal for dieting and do not contribute to weight gain. However, in truth, these products can cause weight gain because fat-free products are less satiating than their full-fat counterparts; fat is a nutrient that supports feelings of fullness and makes food more enjoyable. Furthermore, food manufacturers often replace fat with sugar in low-fat and fat-free products to compensate for the lost flavour. Beyond that, skimmed dairy products provide the body with fewer nutrients than full-fat products, because vitamins such as A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble vitamins that require fat to enter the body, be absorbed, and be utilized.

Gluten-free foods

While it is essential for people with gluten-related disorders to avoid gluten, gluten-free foods are not necessarily healthier than foods containing gluten. Some processed gluten-free foods and desserts contain the same amount of calories and added sugar—if not more—as other snacks. Studies, including a study published in the journal PeerJ, indicate that gluten-free snack foods tend to be lower in protein, fiber, and certain vitamins and minerals compared to their gluten-containing counterparts. They are also generally more expensive.

Breakfast cereals

Many people think that breakfast cereals are an ideal and healthy breakfast to start their day, but in reality, many cereals are made from refined grains that lack nutrients like protein and fiber, and they can contain a high percentage of added sugar. For example, Honey Nut Cheerios, which are marketed as heart-healthy, contain 12 grams of added sugar per cup. Eating large quantities of these and other cereals high in added sugar may lead to an increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, high triglyceride levels, and weight gain.

Energy and sports drinks

Companies market sports and energy drinks as ways to boost energy and athletic performance, but these drinks can contain a massive amount of sugar. Consequently, they can contribute to weight gain for people who consume them without performing intense physical exercise. For instance, a popular energy drink like Monster (473 ml) contains 54 grams of added sugar—a quantity much higher than the amount recommended by the American Heart Association (25g for women and 36g for men). Research, including a study published in the journal Pediatric Obesity, has linked the consumption of sweetened beverages to health problems, including high blood pressure, fatty liver, and obesity in children and adolescents.

Diet soda

When following a diet, many people may turn to sugar-free or calorie-free drinks, thinking they contribute to weight loss. However, studies indicate that diet soda may contribute to certain health problems by altering brain responses to food and increasing the desire to eat high-calorie foods such as sweets and fast food. A study published in the journal Nutrients linked the consumption of these drinks to a higher risk of metabolic syndrome, which is a group of symptoms that include increased belly fat, blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood lipid levels.

By Dr. Tahere Rezaei
Ophthalmologist
International Modern Hospital Dubai

In today’s digital era, children are spending unprecedented hours on tablets, smartphones, and social media platforms. From a clinical perspective, the impact of excessive screen exposure on pediatric eye health is becoming increasingly evident.

Ophthalmology clinics are witnessing a clear rise in complaints linked directly to prolonged device use. Children often hold screens very close to their eyes and remain intensely focused for extended periods without taking breaks. This sustained near work places continuous strain on the visual system, particularly on the eye muscles responsible for focusing.

The most immediate and common consequence is digital eye strain. Symptoms typically include:

• Headaches
• Eye fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Burning sensation
• Dryness due to reduced blinking

When children concentrate on screens, their blink rate significantly decreases. Reduced blinking leads to tear film instability, which contributes to dryness and irritation. Over time, persistent strain can affect visual comfort and academic performance.

Rising Concern: Childhood Myopia

Beyond temporary discomfort, there is a more serious long-term concern — the increasing prevalence of childhood myopia (short-sightedness).

Extended near work combined with limited outdoor exposure has been strongly associated with faster progression of myopia. Natural daylight and distance viewing play a protective role in visual development. When children spend most of their time indoors focusing on close objects, the eye adapts by elongating, leading to blurred distance vision.

Early-onset myopia is not simply about needing glasses. Higher degrees of myopia later in life increase the risk of:

• Retinal detachment
• Glaucoma
• Myopic macular degeneration
• Early cataracts

Preventing rapid myopia progression during childhood is therefore critical for long-term ocular health.

Screen Use and Sleep Disruption

Another clinically observed issue is the effect of screen exposure before bedtime. Blue light emitted from digital devices can suppress melatonin production, disrupting the natural sleep cycle. Poor sleep quality affects not only overall health but also visual comfort, concentration, and cognitive performance.

Children who use screens late at night frequently report:

• Difficulty falling asleep
• Morning eye discomfort
• Increased fatigue during the day

Sleep plays a vital role in ocular surface recovery and overall neurological health.

Supporting Healthy Visual Development

For optimal eye development, children require balanced visual habits. Key preventive measures include:

• Limiting continuous screen time
• Encouraging daily outdoor activity
• Maintaining proper room lighting
• Ensuring appropriate screen distance
• Practicing scheduled visual breaks (such as the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds)

Parents play a crucial role in modeling healthy screen behavior and establishing structured digital routines.

As Dr. Tahere Rezaei emphasizes, eye health in childhood directly influences long-term vision outcomes. Early awareness, prevention, and regular eye examinations are essential to protect children from avoidable visual complications in adulthood.

Healthy eyes today mean clearer vision for life.

King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) has performed a highly complex robotic heart surgery on a woman in her seventies who was living with seven ongoing cardiac pathologies, including congenital defects. In a single operation, the surgical team addressed all seven issues surgically, marking the first documented case worldwide in which this number of cardiac interventions has been combined in one fully robotic approach.
According to a recent KFSHRC press release, the innovative approach stabilized the patient’s condition, accelerated her recovery, and spared her from undergoing multiple staged surgeries that would have significantly increased risks and prolonged her suffering.
Unlike conventional open-heart surgery, the procedure was performed without a full chest incision. The robotic technique enabled the team to perform mitral valve replacement, tricuspid valve repair, arrhythmia treatment using a Maze procedure, left atrial appendage closure, atrial septal defect formation, and reconstruction of complex venous anatomy (double patch venous enlargement), all through small, precise incisions. This minimally invasive approach reduced surgical trauma, lowered the likelihood of complications, supported a safer procedure, full restoration of heart function and earlier hospital discharge within eight days.
The significance of the case lies in its integration of two surgical domains that are typically managed separately: adult acquired heart disease and congenital defect repair. Treating a heart affected simultaneously by acquired pathology and structural congenital abnormalities required dual expertise and the ability to unify different treatment standards within a single, carefully coordinated intervention.
The release also highlighted that robotic technology played a central role in the procedure’s success, offering enhanced precision when navigating delicate intracardiac structures and allowing multiple complex interventions to be performed through limited access points. This improved surgical control, minimized bleeding, and reduced the risks commonly associated with traditional open-heart surgery.
This milestone reflects KFSHRC’s commitment to advancing the boundaries of cardiac surgery through cutting-edge technology and integrated multidisciplinary care. It underscores the hospital’s patient-centered approach, prioritizing safety, clinical excellence, and measurable outcomes, while reinforcing its position as a global reference center for complex surgical innovation.
King Faisal Specialist Hospital has been ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa and 12th globally among the world’s top 250 Academic Medical Centers for 2026 and recognized as the most valuable healthcare brand in the Kingdom and the Middle East according to Brand Finance 2025. It has also been listed by Newsweek among the World’s Best Hospitals 2025, the World’s Best Smart Hospitals 2026, and the World’s Best Specialized Hospitals 2026.
— SPA