(25-05-14) Reduce glaucoma risk by drinking more green tea

by Sandeep Godiyal 

(NaturalNews) Glaucoma is a condition of the eyes that can have devastating effects, particularly if it is not discovered in time to reverse or stop it. Rather than a single eye disease, glaucoma is a group of conditions that can cause damage to the optic nerve. This damage, in turn, can lead to a loss of vision. In many cases, this loss is permanent.
Glaucoma: a serious health issue for the eye
In almost all cases, high pressure within the eye -- known as intraocular pressure -- is the cause of this damage. Glaucoma is the number one cause of blindness in the United States. In many cases, glaucoma robs its victims of their vision in such a gradual way that, by the time it is noticed, it is too late. This is one reason why it is important to have regular eye exams.
Some promising news on the glaucoma front
Although it is often difficult to pinpoint who is at risk for developing this devastating condition, there are ways to help keep the eyes healthy. In addition to visiting the eye doctor on a regular basis, a person's diet plays a key role in their overall health, including the health of their eyes. Although researchers have long suspected a positive link between drinking green tea and a reduction in the risk for glaucoma, the reason for this link has only recently been discovered.
Breakthrough research confirms suspicions
Until recently, it was not know if catechins, those powerful antioxidants present in green tea, were strong enough to actually affect the nerves of the eyes. A study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry cited the findings of Chi Pui Pang and colleagues, when they gave green tea extracts to a group of rats.

These rats were divided into 11 groups, with each group having six rats. After studying the tissues of the rats at different time frames compared to when they received the green tea extracts, researchers found a significant amount of the extract within those tissues.
Catechins offer many benefits
As antioxidants, catechins have the ability to fight free radicals as well as oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs when reactive oxygen species damage cells. This oxidation is associated with a number of serious eye conditions including cataracts, primary open-angle glaucoma and retinopathy.

It is important to choose a high-quality green tea if the optimum in health is the goal. Because many of the commercial green teas that are available today have been oxidized, it is necessary to closely examine the tea before consuming it. The green tea leaves should actually be green rather than the brown which signals that the leaves have been oxidized.

Source:

http://www.mayoclinic.org

www.bigelowtea.com

http://blogs.discovery.com

http://science.naturalnews.com

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