New research has shown that in fact people who eat oranges regularly have less risk of developing macular degeneration than people who do not eat oranges.
During a 15 year study, researchers at Westmead Insitute for Medical Research, after interviewing more than 2000 adults aged over 50, found that indeed people who eat at least one orange every day had a 60% reduced risk of having macular degeneration fifteen years later.
Data shows that it is the flavonoids found in oranges which seem to help prevent this eye disease.
Although in the past research has focused on the effects of vitamins C, E and A for the eyes, this new research focuses on the effect of flavonoids on macular degeneration. Even eating an orange once weekly seems to make a difference.
Flavonoids are a strong antioxidant found in almost all fruits and vegetables as well as:
- Tea
- Apples
- Red wine
There is no evidence that other foods can help prevent macular degeneration which affects 1 in 7 adults over 50 and there is no cure for this disease at this time, but eating oranges regularly can certainly help in preventing this disease from being at its worst.