Nutrition Facts with Dr. Greger
Protecting Our Vision
Dec 7, 2023
Learn about dietary remedies for keeping our eyes healthy, including the role of plant pigments in preventing vision loss. Discover the positive effects of consuming phytonutrients on eye health and the potential benefits of including pigment-rich foods in our diet. Explore the effects of fruit and vegetable consumption on glaucoma risk in African American women. Debunk the myth of bilberry jam improving night vision and learn the real reason behind improved vision during World War II.
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Quick takeaways
- Consuming a cup of corn and half a cup of spinach daily for three months leads to a significant increase in eye pigment levels, suggesting that a healthy diet can delay or prevent macular degeneration.
- Certain fruits and vegetables, such as oranges, peaches, kale, and collard greens, can help lower the risk of glaucoma, especially in African American women, while bananas, orange juice, and canned peaches do not offer the same level of protection.
Deep dives
Protecting Eye Health: The Role of Plant Pigments
Plant pigments found in our diet, like Zia's anthem, play a crucial role in safeguarding our eyesight. They absorb blue light and protect the retina from oxidative damage caused by sunlight. The yellow pigments build up in the retinal pigment epithelium, forming a protective layer. The yellowing of the lenses in our eyes during cataracts could be a defense mechanism to shield the retina. While eggs are touted as a source of these pigments, research shows that daily egg consumption has minimal effect. However, consuming a cup of corn and half a cup of spinach daily for three months leads to a significant increase in eye pigment levels, suggesting that a healthy diet can delay or prevent macular degeneration.
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