August 27, 2009 
Spinach, which nutritionists promote as a rich source of iron, it could eliminate the risk of occurrence of one of the frequent causes of blindness…
A group of scientists from the University of Manchester believe that consuming large amounts of spinach may protect eyes from macular degeneration – irreversible damage to the macula or yellow spot, which occupies a small surface of the retina, and is associated with aging.
Their assumption is based on the fact that spinach and some vegetables contain lutein, a chemical substance that helps to create an eye pigment essential for the protection of vision.
Manchester team intends to carry out further studies on this theory. Macular degeneration is among the leading causes of blindness in Western societies.
It is believed that, for example in the UK, it affects 12% of men and 29% of women aged over 75 years.
Scientists have not yet determined why are some people more often hit by macular degeneration, but they say with certainty that the disease is associated with smoking, obesity and poor diet.
Lutein, as in spinach, also can be found in corn, broccoli and kale. Lutein, together with chemical compound zeaxantin, makes macular pigment that is believed to protect macula from degeneration.
“Our previous research has shown that macular pigment protects the appearance of macular degeneration, but now we want to determine whether the consumption of vegetables rich with this chemical substance has a direct impact on the development of the disease,” said head of the reaserch dr. Ian Murray.
Taken from: www.dnevnik.hr