Improving Eye Health? Eat Pistachios: Researchers Reveal
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A new study from researchers at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University has found that consuming pistachios daily may significantly improve eye health by increasing macular pigment optical density (MPOD), due to the plant pigment lutein, a key factor in protecting the eyes from blue light and age-related damage.
The randomized controlled trial showed that compared to eating a usual diet alone, eating 2 ounces (57 grams) of pistachios per day for 12 weeks as part of a usual diet resulted in a significant increase in macular pigment optical density in otherwise healthy middle-aged to older adults. macular pigment optical density is an important indicator of eye health, as it protects the retina and is linked to a reduced risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness in older adults.
Findings from this research are timely, as according to a national poll by the American Foundation for the Blind, Americans fear vision loss more than they fear other serious health problems.
Key Findings
Increased macular pigment optical density: Participants who consumed pistachios daily saw a significant rise in macular pigment optical density after just 6 weeks, with the effect sustained throughout the 12-week study.
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