Why just one orange a day could keep the optician away

AS children, we were told that the best way to protect our eyesight was to crunch on a carrot.

Now scientists say that if we want our vision to stay sharp throughout life we should be eating oranges instead.

Just one a day cuts the risk of developing macular degeneration by 60 per cent, a study shows.

The incurable condition is the most common cause of sight loss in the elderly.

Researchers interviewed more than 2,000 over-50s and followed them over a 15-year period.

Those who ate at least one orange a day reduced their risk of developing macular degeneration 15 years later by more than 60 per cent.

The Australian researchers believe the effect is caused by an antioxidant called flavonoids.

Oranges were not the only fruit they studied. The team also looked at apples plus common drinks such as tea and red wine. But none of these appeared to prevent macular degeneration.

Study author Bamini Gopinath from the University of Sydney said: ‘Essentially we found that people who eat at least one serving of orange every day have a reduced risk of developing macular degeneration compared with people who never eat oranges.

‘Even eating an orange once a week seems to offer significant benefits.’ The team at the Westmead Institute for Medical Research embarked on their study in the hope of understanding the causes of eye diseases, and the genetic and environmental conditions that may threaten vision.

Previous studies focused on the effect that common nutrients such as vitamins C, E and A have on the eyes. But Professor Gopiwent nath’s study took a new approach. She said: ‘Our research is different because we focused on the relationship between flavonoids and macular degeneration.

‘Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants found in almost all fruits and vegetables, and they have important anti-inflammatory benefits for the immune system.’

She added that, apart from oranges, ‘the data did not show a relationship between other food sources protecting the eyes against the disease’.

Around 600,000 Britons have sight loss caused by macular degeneration. Around 70,000 cases are diagnosed every year, equivalent to nearly 200 a day.

Age is the strongest known risk factor and the disease is more likely to occur after 50. Smoking and high blood pressure – as well as genetic factors – can also increase the risk.

The research was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

According to the Royal National Institute of Blind People, a diet full of fruit and vegetables as well as regular eye tests are the best ways to keep our vision healthy.

Several previous studies have looked at whether taking antioxidant supplements or multivitamins can help to prevent agerelated macular degeneration. However, there is not yet any firm evidence linking them to the disease.

‘Even one a week seems beneficial’