Tasty Sight Savers

What you put on your plate now may help you see the plate later.

Glaucoma

Just one serving a month of kale or collard greens or more than two servings of carrots a week reduced the risk of glaucoma by more than 60 percent in a UCLA study of 1,000 women. Scientists believe that high levels of vitamin A and other antioxidants in these veggies help protect crucial cells in the optic nerve.

Cataracts

Adults who regularly drink orange juice and also include C-rich foods such as red and green bell peppers, tomatoes, and broccoli in their daily diet are 45 percent less likely to develop cataracts, according to new research from Australia. Vitamin C may help counteract the lens-clouding effects of light and heat.

Macular Degeneration

Eating oatmeal, high fiber cereals, and whole grain breads cuts the risk of macular degeneration by about 39 percent, shows a recent study. Complex carbs prevent blood sugar swings that can damage delicate cells in the center of the retina.

Source: Readers Digest February 2009

I don't think I've ever heard of anybody that I know who has gotten glaucoma. I've heard of the disease, I was just wondering how frequent it occurs... anyone know?

Also, what is kale or collard greens?

I'm not sure how many people get glaucoma, I would have to look it up. And I think it's mostly people maybe 50 and older, but I'm not sure about that either. That's why I guess young people need to take care of their eyes now, and not wait until it's too late. Glaucoma makes you go blind, right?

Also, someone else will have to tell you what kale and collard greens are, because I don't know. All I know is they sound awful. lol.

I looked up some information about Glaucoma.

Who is most likely to get it?

• Black people over age 40.
• Everyone over age 60.
• People with a family history of glaucoma.

Some more stats about Glaucoma:
Studies show that that glaucoma is five times more likely to occur in black people, than white people. And it is four times more likely to cause blindness in black people rather than white people.

It is estimated that over 4 million Americans have glaucoma but only half of those know they have it.

Approximately 120,000 people are blind from glaucoma.

Estimates put the total number of suspected cases of glaucoma at around 65 million worldwide.

Babies can be born with glaucoma (approximately 1 out of every 10,000 babies born in the United States)

I've never heard of kale before, but collard greens are kinda like boiled spinach.

I looked up what Kale was... it is a big leafy thing. Here is a photo:

Yum, with some salad dressing on it, Kale looks pretty tasty...maybe!!

Is that the stuff they garnish steaks with at some steakhouses ? (not parsley)
It seems like I've seen that kale stuff as decoration sitting on the ice in salad bars too.

Ha! Yeah, come to think of it I think I've seen that stuff floating around too. And I don't think I've ever pondered the idea of ever eating it... I always just thought it was meant for decoration!

Kale isn't bad... it's actually quite bland, if you like broccoli you can eat Kale!