California [US], January 15 (ANI): A new study has found that regularly consuming a small serving of dried goji berries may help prevent or delay the development of age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, in healthy middle-aged people.
The researchers found that 13 healthy participants aged 45 to 65 who consumed 28 grams (about one ounce, or a handful) of goji berries five times a week for 90 days increased the density of protective pigments in their eyes.
The pigments that increased in the group that ate goji berries, lutein, and zeaxanthin, filtered out harmful blue light and provide antioxidant protection.
Xiang Li, a doctoral candidate in nutritional biology, held a small serving of dried goji berries.
"Lutein and zeaxanthin are like sunscreen for your eyes," said lead author Xiang Li, a doctoral candidate in the Nutritional Biology Program.
Our study found that even in normal healthy eyes, these optical pigments can be increased with a small daily serving of goji berries," added Li.
In Chinese medicine, goji berries are said to have "eye brightening" qualities.
She researched the bioactive compounds in goji berries and found they contain high quantities of lutein and zeaxanthin, which are known to reduce the risk of eye diseases related to AMD.
The form of zeaxanthin in goji berries is also a highly bioavailable form, according to Li, meaning it is readily absorbed in the digestive system so the body can use it.
"Our study shows goji berries, which are a natural food source, can improve macular pigments of healthy participants beyond taking high-dose nutritional supplements," said Yiu.
Updated: Jan 14, 2022 13:32 IST
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