Carrot helps improve vision: Study

The research was initiated by Professor Usha Chakravarthy from the Queen’s University Centre of Vision and Vascular Science in Belfast.

This five year long research proposes that consuming high levels of carotenoid rich fruits and vegetables preserves macular pigments in the eye that slow down ‘age-related macular degeneration’(AMD).

AMD is an untreatable eye disease that leads to the fading of central vision because of degeneration of the macula, the central part of the retina of the eye.

The study and its findings
More than 400 people, with an average age of 77, who were diagnosed with AMD participated in the research to help find how successful cartenoids were in preventing AMD progression.

Nutritional supplements of these people were analyzed and it was found that cartenoids ‘Lutein and Zeaxanthin’ combined with Vitamin C, E and zinc boosted vision.

People who consumed carrots were found to have better ability in fighting vision loss problems, especially in old age.

The findings a breakthrough in vision loss treatment
The present study findings are being seen as a breakthrough discovery as these cartenoids present in carrots may also lead to invention of some drugs that will help fight vision problems in old age.

Professor Chakravarthy said, “These findings are important because this is the first randomised controlled clinical trial to document a beneficial effect through improved function and maintained macular pigment.”

But the present research has not confirmed how many carrots should be consumed. Only more research can help identify the quantity of intake that can prevent progression of AMD from early to a later stage.