A recent study suggests that a simple habit can help protect your eyes from vision loss. Researchers at Tufts University found that consuming two handfuls of pistachios each day may help prevent macular degeneration, a major cause of vision loss in older adults.
What is macular degeneration?
Macula is the part of the eye’s retina responsible for sharp and central vision. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition where the macula is affected, leading to vision loss. Hence, older adults face difficulties in seeing things that are right in front of them, while their peripheral vision remains unaffected.
Pistachios for eye health:
The study was conducted to understand how consuming two handfuls of pistachios can help in protecting vision in older adults.
Pistachios contain lutein, a natural plant pigment that helps in protecting eye health.
The researchers observed that people who added two handfuls of unsalted, shelled, dry-roasted pistachios into their daily diet demonstrated significant improvements in their macular pigment optical density (MPOD), in just six weeks.
Dr. Tammy Scott, a research and clinical neuropsychologist and lead author of the study, told New York Post, “Our study shows that pistachios aren’t just a tasty snack — they may also be great for your eyes. By simply incorporating a handful of pistachios into your diet, you can improve your intake of lutein, which is crucial for protecting your eyes.”
Adding to it, Dr. Elizabeth Johnson, a co-investigator on the study said, “As in the retina, lutein selectively accumulates into the brain, where it may help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation.”
Source: Hindustan Times
Bd-pratidin English/ Afia
