Eat this to prevent a major cause of blindness

The researchers discovered a diet that dramatically reduces the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration.

And if someone told you that you could take a safe and tested medication every day, it would greatly reduce your risk of becoming blind in old age. And while we are there, the same drug would prolong the life span and reduce the incidence of heart disease and cognitive decline.

Oh, and the drugs have a delicious taste and also decrease your carbon footprint!

In fact, it is a reality and I am here to reveal this secret miracle drug: it is the Mediterranean diet.

For years, we have been hearing about all the remarkable benefits of eating in a dietetic style made famous by the longevity it provides to the people of the Mediterranean coast. The easy-to-follow diet is low in meat and processed foods, and rich in fish, vegetables, fruits, legumes, unrefined grains and olive oil.

And now, a very comprehensive review of two long-term cohort studies (one with four years of data and the other with 21 years) involving 4,996 participants reveals another important benefit – a significant reduction in the risk of developing degeneration age-related macular disorder (AMD).

AMD is a degenerative eye disease that causes the loss of central vision and makes joint activities – such as face recognition, driving, reading, and writing – a challenge. This is one of the leading causes of vision loss in people aged 50 and older, affecting some 1.8 million people in the United States. According to estimates by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, this number is expected to reach nearly 3 million by 2020.

In this new research, a group of European researchers investigated the links between genes and lifestyles in the development of AMD.

They found that people who followed a Mediterranean diet reduced by 41% their risk of advanced AMD.

And the diet is beneficial for everyone, even if one is already suffering from the disease or is at risk of developing it.

Interestingly, they found that it was not one of the components of the food that reduced the risk, but the whole nutrient-rich diet responsible for magic. "These findings confirm the role of a diet rich in healthy nutrients, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes and fish, in the prevention of AMD," write the authors.

The modern Western diet is plagued by diseases caused by poor nutrition – and we can now add to the list of risks that can be reduced by eating well, and especially by adhering to a Mediterranean-style diet.

"You are what you eat," says Emily Chew, MD, clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. "I think it's a public health issue just like smoking." Chronic diseases such as AMD, dementia, obesity, and diabetes are all rooted in poor eating habits, it's time to stop eating healthy and smoking. "

The research was published in Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.