Does ultra-processed food lead to higher glaucoma risk?
In a recent study published in the journal Nutrients, researchers examined the relationship between ultra-processed food (UPF) intake and glaucoma incidence.
Glaucoma is a leading cause of lifelong blindness globally, defined by the gradual loss of retinal ganglion cells. Elevated intraocular pressure, advanced age, and family history increase glaucoma risk. However, alterable environmental variables like nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle are increasingly associated with its development. Nutrition is gaining scientific interest due to ultra-processed food ingredients heavy in salt, sugar, and fat. Previous research has implied a link between food and glaucoma risk; however, further study is required to apply these findings to clinical care practices.
In the cohort study, researchers investigated whether consuming ultra-processed food increases the incidence of glaucoma among university graduates and included 19,255 participants. The researchers followed the participants for 13 years (mean) through biennial questionnaires to be completed. The baseline questionnaire (Q0) contained data on sociodemographic factors, physical measurements, dietary practices, lifestyle habits, and comorbidities. The researchers sent follow-up study questionnaires in two-year intervals to evaluate changes in diet, lifestyle, and medical conditions and monitored disease incidences.
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