A recent study from the National Eye Institute has shed light on the link between dietary nitrate intake and the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
AMD is a leading cause of vision loss and blindness in older Americans, and the number of older Americans is projected to nearly double by 2050.
In the study, the researchers analyzed data from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) and AREDS2 randomized clinical trial cohorts, as well as extended follow-up studies, and included 7,788 participants and 13,511 eligible eyes.
They found that increased dietary nitrate intake was linked to a reduced risk for late AMD, geographic atrophy (GA), and neovascular AMD (nAMD).
However, there was no link found between nitrate intake and other eye diseases.
Interestingly, the team also found an association between the Mediterranean diet and dietary nitrate intake.
This suggests that much of the benefits associated with nitrate intake can be attributed to plant-based dietary patterns in general, such as the Mediterranean diet.
This is good news for those who follow a Mediterranean diet or are considering adopting one, as it has been linked to a range of health benefits.
These findings highlight the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle to protect our overall health and well-being.
The study was conducted by Geoffrey K. Broadhead et al and published in JAMA Ophthalmology.
As our understanding of the link between nutrition and eye health continues to evolve, it’s important to stay informed and make informed choices about our diets and lifestyles.
If you care about eye health, please read studies about how to protect your eyes from glaucoma, and 7 habits that help prevent vision loss in older people.
For more information about nutrition and health, please see recent studies about Western diet may increase vision loss risk in older people and results showing that vitamin D supplements strongly reduces cancer death.
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