Reduce Macular Degeneration By Consuming Leafy Vegetables Says Research

According to a study conducted by the researchers at the Westmead Institute for Medical Research, vegetables nitrates were able to decrease the risk of developing macular degeneration. The vegetables that are most beneficial were green leafy ones and beetroot. After the research was conducted by interviewing 2000 people over 49 years old and following their diet for 15 years, it was seen that eating these vegetables reduced the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Prevention Of AMD

“This is the first time the effects of dietary nitrates on macular degeneration risk has been measured. Essentially we found that people who ate 100 to 142 mgs of vegetable nitrates every day had a reduced risk of developing early signs of macular degeneration compared with people who ate fewer nitrates. If our findings are confirmed, incorporating a range of foods rich in dietary nitrates — like green leafy vegetables and beetroot — could be a simple strategy to reduce the risk of early macular degeneration,” Associate Professor Gopinath said.

With the nitrate content of spinach being 20mg per 100 grams and that of beetroot being 15mg per 100 grams, makes them the ideal intake for AMD prevention. The research was conducted on citizens of Australia as one in seven of them have some form of macular degeneration. The report by Science Daily also says that age is also a big factor and AMD is seen in those above 50 years of age. “Our research aims to understand why eye diseases occur, as well as the genetic and environmental conditions that may threaten vision,” Associate Professor Gopinath concluded.