According to a recent study, there is a link between regular consumption of goji berries and protection against age-related vision loss. The study results give reason to hope that a cure for the disease is within reach.

170 million people worldwide lose the ability to recognize faces

“AMD affects the central field of vision and can affect the ability to read or recognize faces,” study author Glenn Yiu said in a press release. More than 170 million people worldwide are affected. The research team justifies the relevance of their study.

In their study, the researchers examined the connection between the consumption of 28 grams of goji berries five days a week by participants aged 45 to 65 and the density of the protective pigments in their eyes. If the study is successful, the density must increase. The test series lasted 90 days.

After 90 days, the researchers made positive discoveries. In 13 healthy participants, the density of the protective pigments in their eyes increased. In contrast, no such increase was observed in 14 participants who took a commercially available dietary supplement for eye health during the same period.

Lutein and zeaxanthin from the berries act as sunscreens for the eyes

The team reported that there was an increase in the pigments lutein and zeaxanthin as a result of eating the goji berries because the pigments are contained in high concentrations and were responsible for the beneficial effects. Said pigments filter harmful blue light and provide antioxidant protection. This helps protect the eyes from AMD during aging.

“Lutein and zeaxanthin are like sunscreens for the eyes,” explains study author Xiang Li. “The higher the levels of lutein and zeaxanthin in the retina, the better the protection. Our study found that even in healthy eyes, these optical pigments carry through a small daily serving of goji berries can be increased.”

Unfortunately, the triggers of the disease are not always clear, because many factors are involved in the development of AMD. Therefore, the research team would like to conduct further studies in this area in order to get closer to the prevention and cure of AMD. “Our study shows that goji berries, which are a natural food source, can improve macular pigmentation in healthy participants beyond the intake of high-dose supplements. The next step in our research will be to examine goji berries in patients with early-stage AMD.” , says the study author.