Dark, Leafy Greens Help Shield Eyes from Cataracts
(NY, Reuters Health, 12/3/04)

Dr. Joshua A. Bomser and his associates at Ohio State University in Columbus, cultivated human lens cells in a lab, then added lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin E, or nothing. Since cataracts occur when proteins in the eye's lens clump together and research suggests that increased exposure to sunlight raises the risk, the investigators exposed the cells to ultraviolet (UV) rays to mimic sunlight. The scientists found that there was not as much damage to the cells treated with lutein and zeaxanthin. These findings suggest that ingesting foods high in lutein and zeaxanthin—like collard greens, kale, spinach, turnip greens and broccoli—may help protect eyes from cataracts.

(Journal of Nutrition, December 2004)