Researchers report that regular consumption of dried goji berries increased protective eye pigments linked to reduced risk of macular degeneration.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) remains one of the leading causes of vision loss worldwide, affecting more than 170 million people. The condition typically develops in adults between ages 50 and 60 and progressively damages the macula, the part of the retina responsible for central vision.
New research from the University of California, Davis suggests that a simple dietary addition — dried goji berries — may help strengthen the eye’s natural defenses against the disease.
In a 90-day randomized study led by Dr. Glenn Yiu, associate professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences at UC Davis, researchers examined whether goji berries could influence macular pigment density, a key biomarker associated with AMD risk.
The trial included 27 healthy adults between the ages of 45 and 65. One group consumed 28 grams (approximately one ounce) of dried goji berries five times per week. A comparison group took a commercial supplement containing lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z), two carotenoids commonly recommended for eye health.
At the conclusion of the study, participants who consumed goji berries demonstrated measurable increases in macular pigment optical density (MPOD) at specific retinal locations. Those taking the commercial supplement showed no significant change. Researchers also found elevated skin carotenoid levels — another indicator of antioxidant protection — in the goji berry group only.
Lutein and zeaxanthin accumulate in the macula and act as natural filters against harmful blue light and oxidative stress, both of which contribute to retinal damage over time. Goji berries contain particularly high concentrations of zeaxanthin in a bioavailable form that the body can readily absorb.
According to the research team, increases in lutein and zeaxanthin levels were observed in both the macular pigment and skin among participants consuming the berries. The findings suggest that whole-food sources of these carotenoids may deliver benefits not observed with isolated supplements under the conditions studied.
Goji berries have been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, often associated with supporting vision and overall vitality. The study provides modern scientific data supporting their potential role in preventive eye health.
AMD represents a growing public health concern as global populations age. Unlike pharmaceutical approaches that typically address symptoms after disease onset, dietary strategies may offer a preventive pathway with comparatively low risk and cost. However, researchers emphasize that longer-term studies with larger populations are needed to determine whether increased macular pigment density translates into reduced rates of AMD over time.
The study was published in the journal Nutrients and received funding support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
While additional research is warranted, the findings contribute to an expanding body of evidence highlighting nutrition’s role in maintaining long-term visual health.
Watch the video below that talks about the health benefits of goji berries.
This video is from the All About Herbs channel on Brighteon.com.
Source: Natural News
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