According to a recently published study, goji berries, known for providing good a dose of healthy anti-oxidants, could help protect our vision. In fact, they could help prevent macular degeneration, a condition that is the leading cause of vision loss as people get older.
The study gathered a group of participants and split them into groups, with one eating dried goji berries five times a week for three months, while the other consumed an eye supplement for that same duration. Researchers analyzed all participants’ eyes before and after the study, finding benefits in the group that consumed goji berries.
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According to the study’s lead author, Xiang Li, Ph.D, these positive results are likely due to two elements present in the goji berries: lutein and zeaxanthin. These elements are usually featured in foods like egg yolks, zucchini, orange bell peppers, spinach, and more.
“These two compounds are like sunscreen for your eyes,” she said. “The higher the amount is in your retina, the more protection you have. That’s important for early-stage AMD, but it’s also helpful even for those with healthy eyes because it filters out harmful blue light and provides antioxidant protection.”
She also explains that dried goji berries are very effective since they pack a lot of nutrients in this form, with the body quickly absorbing them.
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Our vision is the type of thing that we can easily take for granted, yet something that, like everything else organic, deteriorates with the passage of time. Eating a diet with plenty of veggies, fruits and nuts, and shielding your eyes from UV rays, will all help in preserving your eyesight.
