Originally published November 1 2005
U.S. researcher confirms that leafy vegetables protect your eye health
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Professor Joshua Bomser, from Ohio State University, led research that concluded the antioxidants in dark leafy green vegetables can prevent cataracts.
Eating your greens can help prevent cataracts, laboratory evidence has confirmed for the first time.
Anti-oxidants in dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale have been found to protect eye cells from exposure to ultraviolet light - a leading cause of cataracts.
Researchers in the US found that the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin were almost 10 times more powerful than vitamin E in protecting the cells from UV-induced damage.
But until now there has been no biochemical evidence to support the claim that they help protect the eyes, according to researcher Joshua Bomser, from Ohio State University.
"Along with the many environmental, lifestyle and genetic risk factors associated with cataracts, exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight and oxidative stress appear to be the most relevant in this disease," Prof Bomser said.
Cataracts cause the lens of the eye to cloud over and can lead to serious problems with vision.
In the latest study, published in the Journal of Nutrition, the researchers treated human eye lens cells with different concentrations of lutein, zeaxanthin or vitamin E.
Along with a batch of untreated cells, these were exposed to doses of ultraviolet beta radiation for 10 seconds.
Prof Bomser said the dose of UVB radiation they used was about the same amount a person would receive when they get a mild tan.
Prof Bomser said: "The lens is equipped with antioxidant defence mechanisms designed to guard against the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation and oxidative stress.
Anita Lightstone, the RNIB's head of eye health, said: "The Royal National Institute of the Blind welcome this latest research because we have recommended for some time that eating more leafy green vegetables is important for maintaining good eye health.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml