Healthy Diet Reduces Cataract Risk

Healthy eating provides a plethora of benefits. Nutritious foods can strengthen the heart, build strong bones and keep your weight down. According to a new study, healthy food also supports good vision.

The study, which appears in the June 2010 issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology, examined the dietary habits of over 1,800 women. It was found that those who followed the healthiest diets reduced the risk of developing nuclear cataracts by 37%. Nuclear cataract, a form of cataract that appears in the center of the lens, is a foremost cause of vision loss in the US.

The healthy diet associated with eye wellness includes high consumption of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, fish, beans and eggs, and low consumption of fat and salt. Lifestyle factors like smoking and obesity have also been found to increase the chances of getting cataracts.

Moreover, being nearsighted, having brown eyes and having a high pulse pressure have also been found to boost cataract risk. The intake of multivitamin supplements, however, did not appear to be associated with getting the eye disease.

The report cited some factors, including systematic inflammation and oxidative stress, which may cause eye diseases. Previous studies have also pointed out how having ample amounts of zeaxanthin and lutein can develop healthy vision.