Our eyesight is vital for a healthy, independent and fulfilling life. Unfortunately, as we age, our eyes get tired and lose their ability to focus, leaving people experiencing different eyesight problems, including cataracts and macular degeneration. However, a team of researchers from Italy have discovered what could be the cure for age-related vision loss. Saffron.
Not only did their research show that this popular food product could prevent vision loss, but it actually reversed vision loss in study participants with age-related macular degeneration, according to the study.
The macula is located at the center of the eye and is responsible for the central part of our visual field. As the macula degenerates in people afflicted with this condition—often elderly people, but also in young and otherwise healthy individuals—the center of the visual field becomes disrupted.
Researchers from multiple universities in Italy teamed up to explore the effects of saffron ingestion on people with eyesight problems due to macular degeneration.
Study participants were given just 20 milligrams of saffron per day over a three-month period, and then evaluated at the end of the test period.
The researchers found that the retinas of participants with early age-related macular degeneration improved in their functioning after just three months of daily saffron ingestion, and that this result was significantly better than that seen in the placebo group.
This is great news for people who are genetically predisposed to macular degeneration.
Saffron is the stigma of the crocus flower, which originally came from Asia Minor. This cooking ingredient has always been considered very valuable. In fact, at one point it was even used as currency.
Saffron forms part of the culinary culture of different regions in the world: In India, saffron is an important ingredient in many recipes of rice, sweets, and ice-creams.
In the North of Italy, saffron is essential in the preparation of its famous Risotto. In Sweden it is a traditional to bake saffron bread on the day of St. Lucile. In Spain saffron is an indispensable ingredient in such famous dishes as Paella.
It’s never too late to start looking after your precious eyes. Eating the right foods is definitely an important step in the right direction. It’s time to appreciate all that your eyes do for you.
H/T: Healthy And Natural World
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