Study Shows Fruit Consumption May Reduce Risks For Diabetic Retinopathy

We recognize the fact that increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables in our diet can lead to many health benefits. These include improved heart health, improved digestion, improved immunity and improved health in our vision. However, did you know that increasing the intake of fruits in your diet can actually prevent or reduce your risk for retinopathy diabetic eye disease? Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease associated with damage to the blood vessels that can cause vision loss. Including fruits in your diet can also help you to maintain a healthy blood sugar level; An important factor in reducing your risk for Diabetes Retinopathy. So here is some research information that supports this argument:

A research study conducted by Shiro Tanaka of Kyoto University Hospital examined 978 test subjects diagnosed with Diabetes. The test subjects in this study were asked questions that they were asked to fill in on their dietary habits. They were monitored for eight years and for the duration of this study, they were given an annual eye test. At the beginning of the study none of the participants showed signs of eye disease. However, 8 years later 258 participants in the study developed Diabetes Retinopathy Eye disease. This group does not take fruits in their diet. However, participants in the study who ate at least 9 ounces of fruit a day showed a 50% reduction in their risk for Diabetes Retinopathy over a period of 8 years. Therefore, this study shows that there is a link between consuming fruits in your diet and reducing the risk of Diabetes Retinopathy.

One of the things that this study shows is that focusing on your diet is important in reducing your risk for not only eye disease, but also eye disease related to diabetes related to high blood sugar.

All too often, we tend to care about the importance of paying attention to our sugar consumption. This is because of love-related reasons, we have an emotional connection to candy. Foods are rich in good taste and are considered a convenient food for many. Although cutting back on your sugar consumption is not an easy thing to do especially if you have a sweet tooth, we can make a concerted effort to practice moderation and limit our sugar consumption. This is because excessive consumption of sugar can negatively affect the eyes. Excessive intake of sugar damages the blood vessels in the retina in the back of the eye and causes swelling in the eyes. According to the American Optometric Society, it can cause eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and cataracts; eye disease is the leading cause of blindness in the United States.

Therefore, when it comes to maintaining good vision, it is important to pay close attention to your diet. This can be achieved by lowering your sugar intake and increasing the intake of fruits and vegetables in your diet. By doing this, you will do the important things you need to do to protect your vision's health and reduce your risk for eye diseases such as macular degeneration, cataracts and diabetes retinopathy.

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