Eating carrots can help your body fight against eye problems

It turns out eating carrots is really good for your eye

THE old wives’ tale that carrots are good for your eyesight may be right.

 

Pigments called carotenoids, which give vegetables such as carrots, peppers and spinach their colours, can slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), researchers claim.

The condition, which is one of the most common causes of vision loss in older people, affects 600,000 people in the UK.

The Harvard University-led study used data from a survey that tracked more than 100,000 over-50s for 25 years.

 

It found that those who consumed the highest levels of the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin had a 40 per cent lower risk of developing the advanced form of the condition than those who ingested the least.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are found in high concentrations in the macula, part of the inner eye. They are known as the macular pigment.

The pigment protects the macula by preventing cell damage and filtering out damaging blue light.

Good sources of lutein and zeaxanthin are dark, leafy vegetables and eggs.

 

Eating healthy with lots of green leafy vegetables can help reduce risk

          Cathy Yelf, chief executive of the Macular Society

 



Carrots can can slow the progression of age-related macular degeneratio (AMD)

 

The condition, AMD, affects 600,000 people in the UK.

The study also found that those who consumed the highest levels of some of the other forms of carotenoids – alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin – had a 25 per cent to 35 per cent lower risk of advanced AMD.

Carrots and sweet potato are good sources of alpha and beta-carotene, while beta-cryptoxanthin is found in oranges and peaches.

The researchers did not find any link between carotenoids and the intermediate form of AMD,

However, they concluded in the journal JAMA Opthalmology: “This study suggests that carotenoids may slow worsening of AMD once it occurs.”

 

As of now, there is still no cure for AMD

AMD causes the loss of central vision, usually in both eyes. According to experts at NHS Choices the sight loss usually happens gradually over time, although it can sometimes be rapid.

Reading becomes difficult, colours appear less vibrant and people’s faces are difficult to recognise.

There is currently no cure for AMD. It does not affect peripheral, or side, vision, which means it will not cause complete blindness.

Cathy Yelf, chief executive of the Macular Society, said: “Eating healthy with lots of green leafy vegetables can help reduce risk.”

 

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