Does sipping garri really affect your eyesight

Across various West African countries, gari, a popular food made from cassava, has garnered a reputation for potentially causing impaired vision.

While this notion remains a common belief, it’s essential to examine the scientific basis behind these claims.

Cyanide content in cassava and gari: Cassava, the primary ingredient in gari, contains naturally occurring cyanide compounds, which can be toxic if consumed in excessive amounts.

However, it’s crucial to understand that when cassava is adequately processed, the cyanide levels are significantly reduced, rendering it safe for consumption.

This process involves draining, peeling, and thorough roasting of the cassava to break down and eliminate the toxic compounds.

Under-processed cassava, with higher residual cyanide levels, can indeed lead to cyanide poisoning if consumed.

This poisoning can interfere with the nerves responsible for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain.

It can also lead to a suppression of vitamin A, an essential nutrient for maintaining eye health. The combination of these effects can result in blurred vision and, in severe cases, the development of cataracts.

In summary, the saying that gari consumption can impair eyesight is not entirely unfounded, but the key factor at play is the level of cyanide in cassava and its processing. Properly processed gari contains minimal cyanide and is safe to eat.

However, under-processed cassava can lead to cyanide poisoning, which can, in turn, affect eye health.