Macular Degeneration: Eating These Nuts Daily Might Save Your Eyesight
Did you know that adding pistachios to your daily diet might significantly enhance your vision health? A recent randomized controlled trial has provided compelling evidence linking pistachio consumption to improved macular pigment density, a critical factor in maintaining healthy eyesight and reducing the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
How Pistachios Improve Eye Health
The study, conducted by researchers Tammy M. Scott, Olaniyi Ogunbodede, Diane L. McKay, and Elizabeth J. Johnson, revealed that pistachios are an excellent source of lutein, an essential nutrient that makes up part of the macular pigment in your retina. Increased macular pigment optical density (MPOD) provides crucial protection against harmful blue light and oxidative stress—key factors linked to vision deterioration and AMD.
Key Findings from the Study
Participants in the trial consumed 2 ounces (approximately half a cup) of pistachios daily for 12 weeks. The results were impressive:
Significant improvement in MPOD: Pistachio consumers showed notable increases in MPOD at all measured retinal points within just six weeks, maintained throughout the entire 12-week period.
Higher lutein levels: Blood tests confirmed increased serum lutein concentrations among pistachio eaters, directly correlating with improved eye health outcomes.
In contrast, participants who did not consume pistachios showed no improvement in their macular pigment.