When you think of a food to improve your eyes, carrots probably come to mind. Although there are several studies that point to the fact that carrots contain the proper nutrients your eyes need, there may be a simpler beverage that can also benefit your eyes. Furthermore, this beverage can help keep you warm during the cold winter months.
What beverage are we talking about? It’s hot tea, which was shown to contain a high number of antioxidants which can help your vision.
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The new study found compelling evidence to support that those who drink hot tea regularly had a lower risk of developing glaucoma.
The researchers from Browns University looked at questionnaire responses from over 1,600 men and women who were part of a national nutrition survey.
The study found that frequent tea drinkers – those who consumed at least one cup of hot tea a day – had a 74 percent reduced risk of developing glaucoma compared to infrequent tea drinkers. Coffee, ice tea, decaf, and soft drink consumers didn’t obtain the same benefits.
It is still unclear why hot tea benefits the eyes or how it reduces the risk of glaucoma, so further research is required.
The researchers suspect that flavonoids may play a role. As lead researcher Anne Coleman explained, flavonoids “have been shown to have neuroprotective effects in animal models. The theory is certainly plausible and merits further clinical and laboratory study.”
Related: Drinking black tea before flu season may prevent the infection: Study
