Fruits and Vegetables Protect Eyesight

Colorful, carotenoid-rich foods, such as carrots and spinach, protect against age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a study published online in JAMA Ophthalmology. Researchers monitored the diets of 102,046 participants from the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study and incidence for AMD. Those who consumed the most carrots, tomatoes, spinach, oranges, and other foods rich in carotenoids, specifically lutein and zeaxanthin, experienced up to 35 percent lower risk for AMD, compared with those who consumed the least. Researchers suggest public health policies call for increased consumption of fruits and vegetables to maximize lutein and zeaxanthin consumption for their protective qualities.