Our vision is one of those things that we take for granted. It’s one of our most important senses, yet most people don’t take care of their eyes the way they should. Every year, we get a new prescription lens and pretend that our eyes are not gradually deteriorating. However, they are.
Wearing glasses is not a way to stop the deterioration either. Preventative actions need to be taken to prevent eyesight from worsening even more. Lucky for you, there are some easy ways to strengthen your eyes, and researchers have identified a super fruit with the ability to slow or even prevent vision problems, with the most common being age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
The super fruit
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A study published in Free Radical Biology and Medicine identified grapes as an ideal measure of vision-loss prevention. The antioxidant properties of grapes help fight off free radicals, which contribute to vision loss.
The study was done by Dr. Silvia Finnemann of Fordham University in New York. Finnemann tested a few different diets to see different antioxidants’ effectiveness when it comes to improving vision. Mice either had a diet full of grapes, a diet full of lutein, or a normal diet. She found that mice who followed the grape diet were protected against blindness and retina damage more so than the mice on consumed lutein—although lutein did show some benefits as well.
These results are not attainable through one-time use of grapes, however. Permanent vision protection requires a “lifelong diet enriched in natural antioxidants, such as those in grapes, appears to be directly beneficial for RPE and retinal health and function.”
The science behind it
The most prominent cause of blindness in older people is AMD, which is signified by a deterioration of the macula. The macula deteriorates over time due to oxidative damage which occurs while you age.
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The study proved that eating a grape-enriched diet provided enough antioxidants to combat the oxidative damage that occurs due to
“This is good news for consumers of all ages who enjoy grapes, and adds to the growing body of evidence that grapes offer an array of health benefits,” said Kathleen Nave, president of the California Table Grape Commission.
Related: Foods to boost your vision
Devon Andre has been involved in the health and dietary supplement industry for a number of years. Devon has written extensively for Bel Marra Health. He has a Bachelor of Forensic Science from the University of Windsor, and went on to complete a Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh. Devon is keenly aware of trends and new developments in the area of health and wellness. He embraces an active lifestyle combining diet, exercise and healthy choices. By working to inform readers of the options available to them, he hopes to improve their health and quality of life.
