A team of researchers conducted a recent study to evaluate the effect of natural supplements on eye health, specifically in preventing age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
The study, conducted at Brigham and Women's Hospital, aims to examine the potential relationship between taking cocoa flavanol supplements and improving the health of blood vessels in the eyes.
Researchers have shown that cocoa flavanol supplements may not be effective in preventing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of severe vision loss among older adults.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects the macula (the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision), leading to a deterioration in central vision, affecting daily activities such as reading and driving. This condition is usually associated with problems with blood flow in the eye.
The benefit of cocoa flavanols lies in their plant compounds that improve blood vessel function and increase nitric oxide production, which helps dilate blood vessels and improve circulatory health. Previous studies have demonstrated the benefits of cocoa flavanols in lowering blood pressure and improving blood lipid levels, suggesting their effectiveness in preventing heart disease.
In the new study, the effect of cocoa flavanol supplements was examined on 21,442 American adults between the ages of 60 and 88. Half of the participants were given a daily dose of 500 mg of cocoa flavanol, while the rest received a placebo.
It was found that 344 participants developed age-related macular degeneration during the study period, with little difference between the group that took cocoa supplements and the group that received the placebo. The incidence rate in the cocoa group was 1.5% compared to 1.7% in the placebo group. The results also showed no clear effect after two years of treatment.
Statistical analyses show that the effect of cocoa supplements was not statistically significant, while the treatment showed some positive effects in people without high blood pressure, with significantly reduced risk.
The researchers concluded that cocoa flavanol supplements did not show a significant effect in preventing age-related macular degeneration over a 3.6-year period.
Although some analyses may indicate a benefit in the early stages of treatment, the results do not support the use of cocoa supplements as a preventative strategy against this disease.
The researchers noted that several factors, such as the study duration and limited dosage, may have affected the accuracy of the results, and emphasized that the study requires further research and analysis.
The study was published in the journal JAMA Ophthalmology.