A recent study suggests that people who donate blood regularly may have genetic changes in their blood that could in fact reduce the risk of developing cancer. It is conducted by the researchers at the Francis Crick Institute, and the study has now provided new insights into how and why blood cancers develop. The study is published in the journal Blood and was conducted by the scientists from Heidelberg and the German Red Cross blood donation center. There is yet a need for further research to confirm these findings.

What Did The Study Find?

The researchers examined the blood of two groups of healthy male donors in their 60s:

• One group had donated blood three times a year for 40 years.
• The other group had donated only about five times in total.

The goal was to analyze genetic mutations in their blood and assess whether frequent donation had any impact on their genetic makeup.

How Can Blood Donation Affect Stem Cells?

As and when people age, their blood and other cells naturally develop mutations and some of them can also increase the risk of cancer. When anyone donates blood, his or her body compensates by producing new blood cells, which can influence the genetic diversity of stem cells in the bone marrow. The study also found that both groups had a similar number of mutations. For instance the frequent donors had 217 mutations, while the irregular donors had 212 mutations.

However, the nature of these mutations differed. In the frequent donors, 50% of the mutations were of a type not associated with a high risk of blood cancers, compared to only 30% in the irregular donors.

Further laboratory analysis showed that these specific mutations behaved differently from those linked to leukemia, a type of blood cancer. When human blood stem cells with these mutations were injected into mice, they were found to be highly effective at producing red blood cells, which is considered a positive outcome.

Dr. Hector Huerga Encabo, one of the study authors, emphasized that these mutations do not indicate an increased risk of leukemia. The findings suggest that regular blood donation may influence how stem cells evolve, but whether this translates into a lower cancer risk remains uncertain.

Read More: Who Can Donate Blood To Whom?

Limitations

One notable disadvantage is the "healthy-donor effect"—because blood donors are often healthier than the general population, their lower cancer risk could be unrelated to blood donation.

Dominique Bonnet, senior researcher and head of a stem-cell laboratory at the Francis Crick Institute, stressed the need for larger studies with female volunteers to confirm the findings.

Despite ongoing research into potential health benefits for donors, the primary goal of blood donation remains saving lives. NHS Blood and Transplant emphasized that while the study is interesting, further research is required to draw firm conclusions. The organization also noted that blood supplies are currently critically low and encouraged eligible individuals to donate.

Also Read: How Long After a Tattoo or Piercing Can I Donate Blood?

Diabetes develops when the body can no longer use food efficiently for energy. In this condition, the system either produces too little insulin or does not respond to it well enough. Insulin is the hormone that moves glucose into the cells, where it can be used as fuel. When glucose stays in the bloodstream instead of entering the cells, it begins to harm the blood vessels and nerves that support every organ, including the eyes.

This raises a natural question: can diabetes lead to blindness?

To understand how this happens and what people can do to prevent it, we spoke with Dr Arpan Dev Bhattacharya, Consultant in Diabetes and Endocrinology at Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru.

Can Diabetes Lead To Blindness?

High blood sugar, especially in people living with diabetes, can lead to serious eye problems and even permanent vision loss. When glucose stays elevated for long periods, it harms the fine network of blood vessels that nourish the retina. This injury is known as diabetic retinopathy, a condition that may begin with mild blurring and gradually progress to significant loss of sight if it is not treated in time.

Other eye diseases linked to diabetes include diabetic macular edema, cataracts, and glaucoma, each adding to the risk of visual decline.

Dr Arpan Dev Bhattacharya said, “Earliest changes almost always appear in the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. The vessels here are extremely delicate. When sugar levels remain high, these vessels become fragile or start to leak, creating the groundwork for diabetic retinopathy.”

Diabetes And Blindness: Early Warning Signs Are Easy to Miss

Diabetic eye disease often begins without noticeable symptoms. Some early clues include blurred or shifting vision, faded colours, difficulty seeing in low light, or small dark floaters that drift across the field of sight. These symptoms can come and go, which makes people dismiss them. Routine eye exams with dilation remain the most reliable way to detect trouble before vision begins to decline.

Blood Sugar Targets That Protect the Eyes

Good metabolic control offers the strongest defence. For most adults with diabetes, the recommended targets include an HbA1c below 7 percent, fasting glucose between 70 and 130 mg per decilitre, and post-meal readings under 180 mg per decilitre. According to Dr Bhattacharya, keeping blood pressure and cholesterol within recommended ranges also helps lower the risk of retinal complications.

Innovative Therapies For Treatment

Researchers are also studying whether certain diabetes medications may offer additional protection. Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist widely used for type 2 diabetes and weight management, has drawn particular interest. Dr Bhattacharya said, “Early studies suggest it may reduce stress on retinal cells and slow processes linked to cell injury. Later reviews show that semaglutide does not significantly raise retinopathy risk when compared with other treatments, and some findings even point toward possible benefits. More clinical trials are underway to define its role.”

While new therapies may strengthen prevention strategies, the core advice remains unchanged. Consistent glucose control, regular screening, and timely care provide the best protection against vision loss.

Lone Star Tick disease: Scientists have verified the first known death tied to a serious meat allergy brought on by a tick bite. The man, who passed away in 2024 after eating a burger, had alpha-gal syndrome. This condition begins after certain tick bites and leads to dangerous allergic reactions to red meat and other foods made from animals. Two weeks before his death, he had already reacted badly after eating a steak.

“The sad part is that no one recognised that earlier incident as anaphylaxis, so it was never linked to the beef,” said study co-author Thomas Platts-Mills, an allergist at the University of Virginia School of Medicine who helped identify alpha-gal syndrome and diagnosed the New Jersey case, during an interview with NBC News. But how did he develop this condition in the first place?

Lone Star Tick: What Are Lone Star Ticks?

A tick marked with a small white dot is known as the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum). Many people already know that certain tick species can threaten human health. Lone star ticks are mainly found in Texas and Oklahoma, stretching across the Southern states and moving up the Atlantic coastline to parts of Maine. They live in wooded regions and are most common from April to September.

Falling ill after a lone star tick bite can take several days or even a few weeks. A bite can trigger various problems, including a serious meat allergy known as alpha-gal syndrome.

Lone Star Tick: What Is Alpha Gal Syndrome?

Bites from lone star ticks can lead to another major effect. The bite can cause the body to develop an allergy to meat. Substances from the tick, including alpha-gal, enter the bloodstream when it bites, which alerts the immune system and prompts the body to create antibodies to the alpha-gal molecule. Humans do not naturally produce this sugar, so the body treats it as foreign.

This reaction can make a person allergic to the sugar. Alpha-gal is present in many common foods, including beef, pork, lamb, dairy products, and gelatin. Once the allergy develops, a person can fall sick after eating these foods.

Experts believe that many people with alpha-gal syndrome have no idea they carry it. In the New Jersey case, it took scientists months to confirm that the man had the syndrome and had died as a result of it. Warmer winters have also allowed ticks to remain active for longer periods, raising the chances of bites throughout the year.

Anyone who thinks they may have this allergy can undergo testing to check. Although there is no cure for alpha-gal syndrome, doctors advise people with the condition to avoid all forms of meat, as well as dairy, gelatin, and some medicines that include these ingredients.

Lone Star Tick: How To Know if You Have the Alpha-Gal Allergy

Many people never realise they were bitten, unless a rash becomes visible. The symptoms of alpha-gal syndrome vary widely and may take weeks to appear, which makes it difficult to diagnose.

Signs of an alpha-gal allergy can include gastrointestinal discomfort after eating foods such as:

• Dairy products, which trouble about 10 to 20 percent of individuals with the allergy
• Red meats like beef, pork, lamb, or venison
• Foods and items that contain gelatin

Other signs may involve hives or, in severe situations, anaphylaxis. The allergy can take four to six weeks to form after the tick bite. Reactions may also be delayed for several hours after a person eats the food that triggers it.

A healthcare professional can test for the alpha-gal IgE antibody through a blood sample. Food challenge tests may also be carried out under medical supervision, in case a severe reaction occurs.

Doctors usually recommend taking daily medications in the morning, making it part of a morning routine. However, recent research suggests that taking blood pressure (BP) medications at night may provide additional cardiovascular protection. Still, consistency like taking your BP medicine at the same time every day—is more important than whether it’s morning or evening.

Numerous studies have examined the timing of BP medications, but none have produced conclusive evidence favoring morning or evening doses. To gain more insight, we spoke with Dr. Kiran Aithal, Vice Principal, Professor, and HOD of General Medicine at SDMCMS&H, SDM University, Dharwad who shared his perspective on the topic.

When Is The Best Time To Take Blood Pressure Medicine?

One of the largest trials, including over 21,000 participants, did not find clear evidence that taking BP medication in the morning is superior to taking it at night. Dr. Kiran suggests linking the timing to a daily activity that’s hard to forget, like breakfast or dinner, so doses aren’t missed. Skipping a dose is a common reason for hypertensive emergencies.

Dr Kiran said, “Sometimes, patients on multiple BP medications may need to split doses between morning and night, following the doctor’s instructions. Certain drugs, such as diuretics, are advised in the morning as they can increase urination. In some patients whose blood pressure doesn’t naturally dip at night (detectable through Ambulatory BP monitoring), physicians may recommend taking medication at night to achieve better control. Following your doctor’s advice is key.”

In general, most BP medications can be taken either in the morning or evening. The critical factor is taking them consistently at the same time every day to prevent complications. It’s important to remember that hypertension cannot be cured but can be effectively controlled. Lifestyle changes combined with regular, timely medication are crucial for managing high blood pressure successfully.

What Should You Avoid While Taking Blood Pressure Medicine?

Certain foods, drinks, and medications can interfere with blood pressure medicines. These include grapefruit juice, high-potassium foods, and salt substitutes, as well as alcohol and caffeine. Over-the-counter drugs like decongestants and NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen or naproxen) should also be avoided.

Some herbal supplements, including St. John’s Wort and licorice, can affect your blood pressure, and recreational drugs should be completely avoided. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting any new medication, supplement, or making significant changes to your diet, says the Heart Organisation.

Understanding Blood Pressure Categories

Blood pressure is measured using two numbers: systolic (the top number) and diastolic (the bottom number). Based on these readings, blood pressure is classified as normal, elevated, or high. A normal reading is below 120/80 mmHg. Elevated blood pressure falls between 120–129 systolic with a diastolic under 80. Stage 1 hypertension is defined as 130–139 systolic or 80–89 diastolic, while Stage 2 hypertension is 140 or higher systolic or 90 or higher diastolic.

Readings of 180/120 or above are considered a hypertensive crisis and require immediate medical attention, according to the Heart Organisation.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your medication, diet, or lifestyle.