Healthy Eating May Prevent Cataracts
Friday, July 23, 2010 at 9:29AMThis news comes from a study involving more than 1,800 postmenopausal women. Results showed that the women whose diets were healthiest were 37 percent less likely to develop cataracts than others in the study. In addition to poor diet, smoking and obesity were identified as factors that put women at higher risk.
However, the researchers, from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, reported that diet was the strongest risk factor linked to the incidence of cataracts and suggested that a healthy diet, as well as not smoking and avoiding obesity could lower the need for cataract surgery among postmenopausal women. Earlier studies zeroed in on the carotenoids lutein (found in mangoes, corn, sweet potatoes, carrots, squash, tomatoes, and dark, leafy greens such as kale, collards and bok choy) and zeaxanthin (found in orange bell peppers, oranges, corn and honeydew melon) and the use of multivitamins as the factors consistently related to a lower risk of cataracts.
More about the carotenoid lutein's power to protect against age-related eye disorders.
Reader Comments (1)
Again, another good reason to eat a diet of fresh fruits and vegetables. Not only can we protect our eyesight, but eating a healthy diet prevents premature aging too.