We’ve all heard tell that nibbling carrots is good for our eyes, but researchers say how about trying a nice handful of dried goji [go-jee] berries?
Regularly eating a small serving of the berries may protect against age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss in older adults.
University of California, Davis researchers monitored adults ages 45 to 65 who ate about an ounce of goji berries five times a week for 90 days and a second group that consumed a commercial eye-health supplement.
They found that those in the goji berry group enjoyed the benefit of increased density of protective pigments in their eyes, while the supplement group did not.
Those who ate the berries had increased lutein (loo-teen) and zeaxanthin (zee-uh-zan-thin), pigments that filter harmful blue light and provide antioxidant protection — helping to protect aging eyes. The pigments are often referred to as “sunscreen for the eyes.”
Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in older people, and it’s estimated that it affects more than 11 million people in the United States and 170 million around the world.
Goji berries are the fruit of two Chinese shrubs. The dried berries are similar to raisins and commonly eaten as a snack. The berries are also frequently used in soups and teas.
The Chinese often say the berries have “eye brightening” qualities, and that lore prompted a doctoral candidate from China to raise questions that led to the California research study.
So make yourself a cup of goji tea, grab a handful of berries to snack on or toss them into your morning yogurt. There’s little to lose and your world may become a little clearer.