Fresh claims for lutein

New evidence has emerged from the US which substantiates the theory that spinach and other green vegetables help protect ageing eyes from cataracts.
In an experiment, researchers from the Ohio State University found that human eye cells treated with the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin showed less damage after being exposed to ultraviolet rays, the sunlight ingredient believed to be a major contributor to cataract development.
Study author Dr Joshua A Bomser told Reuters Health this week that lens cells mixed with lutein and zeaxanthin showed significantly less damage following UV-exposure than cells that had no shielding from antioxidants.
And although vitamin E appeared to offer some protection from UV rays, it was surpassed by both lutein and zeaxanthin. Reports quote Bomser adding that it was better the public ate antioxidant-rich foods rather than supplements, in order to get benefits of other healthy substances present in food.
'It's hard to say how much of each antioxidant people should get in their diets,' said Bomser, 'given that little is known about how antioxidants in the bloodstream reach the eyes.'
The study is reported in December's Journal of Nutrition.