The Correlation of Fruit and Vegetable Intake with Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Cataract Formation

Age-related macular degeneration and cataracts are common causes of blindnessamong older adults. Oxidation has been linked to the onset of age-related maculardegeneration and cataracts. It is hypothesized that fruit and vegetable intake maycounteract this effect and lead to lower rates of age-related macular degenerationand cataracts. The Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities (ARIC) Study began in1987, when approximately 4,000 individuals were randomly selected from fourdifferent urban communities for the epidemiological study. The second visit of thestudy took place in 1990-92, the third in 1993-95, and the fourth exam was in 1996-98. Dietary assessment via a 66-question food frequency questionnaire along with aretinal examination and cataract survey were used from the ARIC study at visitthree. The food frequency questionnaire was converted into fruit and vegetablegroups using the Food Patterns Equivalents Database Components 2009-10.Logistic regression was used via SPSS. The present study includes 5,690 male and7,140 female participants. Total fruit consumption was found to be 0.86 ± 0.71servings per day. Total vegetable consumption among participants was 1.17 ± 0.84servings per day. No significant correlation was found between any of the foodgroups and age-related macular degeneration or cataracts.