Yellow and green vegetables rich in lutein and zeaxanthin can prevent age-related macular degeneration.
Recent research shows that eating more yellow and green vegetables can help people over 60 prevent age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness.
This result was discovered during a screening for age-related macular degeneration in 4,500 people aged 60 to 80. Age-related macular degeneration is a disease that causes a decline in central vision.
In the survey, respondents had to report their intake of more than 90 different foods over the past year. These foods included yellow and green vegetables rich in lutein and zeaxanthin.
The results found that those who consumed the largest amount of foods rich in lutein and zeaxanthin had a 35% lower chance of developing "wet" age-related macular degeneration than those who consumed the smallest amount of such foods.
The lesions of "wet" age-related macular degeneration include abnormal blood vessel growth under the macula. These vessels leak, which damages vision.
This study did not find a link between other nutrients and age-related macular degeneration. The findings were published in the Archives of Ophthalmology.
However, the study does not prove that lutein and zeaxanthin can prevent age-related macular degeneration. But scientists, including John Paul SanGiovanni, an expert from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study group, believe that further research can confirm the role of these two substances.
In any case, let's all eat more foods rich in lutein and zeaxanthin.