Originally published July 21 2005
Fruits and vegetables help protect vision
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Eating more fruits and vegetables can help reduce the risk of developing cataracts as you get older, perhaps because fruits and vegetables offer high levels of vitamin C and lutein, a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition finds.
The study published in this month's American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that eating more fruits and vegetables may protective against cataracts.
A cataract is a clouding of the eye's lens that can cause fuzzy or blurred vision and can lead to blindness if untreated.
Although aging is the most common cause of cataracts, they can occur at any time of life.
A large study showed that the incidence of cataracts in people who took vitamin C supplements for 10 years or longer was significantly lower than for those who did not.
This recent study looked at about 35,000 healthy women over 45 who were involved in the Women's Health Study --- an ongoing study of female health professionals in the U.S.
Over a ten year period, about 2,000 of these women developed cataracts.
The women who reported eating the most fruits and vegetables had a lower risk of developing cataracts than those who ate less.
Most studies have looked at specific things in fruits and vegetables that might account for this effect.
This is one of the few that have looked specifically at total fruit and vegetable intake.
There are many possible reasons for this effect including the likelihood that those who ate more fruits and vegetables consumed more vitamin C and lutein.
The study authors conclude: "The possible beneficial effects of fruits and vegetables ...
warrant the continued recommendation to increase total intake of fruits and vegetables."
Research has also looked at the role of fruits and vegetables and reduced risk of age-related macular degeneration.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are two antioxidants that are shown to help reduce risk.
Lutein is found predominantly in green leafy vegetables and zeaxanthin is also found in greens as well as red peppers and corn.
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