Singapore: A new study suggests that grapes are as good for our eyes as carrots.
A team of researchers from the National University of Singapore conducted a study on 34 people in which the participants were fed either one and a half cups of grapes or a placebo (dummy drug) daily for 16 weeks.
The study showed a significant increase in macular pigment optical density (MPOD), plasma antioxidant capacity, and total phenolic content in those consuming grapes compared to those consuming a placebo.
According to experts, oxidative stress is the major cause of eye damage and grapes are rich in antioxidants. For this reason, grapes have also been found to reduce cholesterol rapidly, which is why this fruit is now considered in the group of ‘super-fruits’.
The study showed a marked increase in harmful ocular advanced glycation (AGE) content in subjects who did not eat grapes.
Risk factors for eye disease include oxidative stress and elevated AGEs, according to research published in the journal Food and Function.
Researchers have found that AGEs can cause retinal muscle damage, cellular dysfunction, and oxidative stress to cause a number of eye diseases.
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