Fruit and vegetable intake and the risk of cataract: insights from the UK Biobank study

Abstract

Purpose: A prospective cohort study to investigate the association between fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake and the risk of cataract. Methods: We included 72,160 participants who were free of cataract at baseline from the UK Biobank. Frequency and type of F&V intake were assessed using a web-based 24 h dietary questionnaire from 2009 to 2012. Development of cataract during the follow-up was defined by self-report or hospital inpatient records up to 2021. Cox proportional regression models were used to estimate the association between F&V intake and incident cataract. Results: During a mean follow-up of 9.1 years, 5753 participants developed cataract with a corresponding incidence of 8.0%. After adjusting for multiple demographic, medical and lifestyle covariates, higher intake of F&V were associated with a lower risk of cataract (≥6.5 vs. <2 servings/week: hazards ratio [HR]: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.76 to 0.89; P < 0.0001). Regarding specific types, significant reduced risk of cataract was found for higher intake of legumes (P = 0.0016), tomatoes (≥5.2 vs. <1.8 servings/week: HR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.88 to 1.00), and apple and pear (>7 vs. <3.5 servings/week: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.83 to 0.94; P < 0.0001), but not for cruciferous vegetables, green leafy vegetables, berry, citrus fruit or melon. Smokers were found to benefit more from F&V intake than former and never smokers. Men also could benefit more from higher vegetable intake than women. Conclusions: More F&V intake, especially legumes, tomatoes, apple, and pear, was associated with a lower risk of cataract in this UK Biobank cohort.

Predictors and consequences of visual trajectories in Chinese older population: A growth mixture model

“…These nutrients play crucial roles in combating oxidative stress and inflammation [54], processes implicated in the development of various eye diseases. Evidence from the UK Biobank with nine years of follow-up suggested a high intake of legumes, tomatoes, apple, and pear was associated with a reduced risks of cataracts [55]. Similarly, findings from the Japan Diabetes Complications Study with a follow-up over eight years showed that a high intake of vitamin B6 was linked to a lower incidence of diabetic retinopathy in individuals with type 2 diabetes [56].…”

Influence of Diet, Dietary Products and Vitamins on Age-Related Cataract Incidence: A Systematic Review

“…The recommendations for a fat-restrictive diet were not coincidental, but based on the American Heart Association's 2002 Guidelines, which advocated a wide range of vegetables, fruits, grains, low-fat or skimmed dairy products, fish, pulses, and white and lean meats. According to the literature reviewed, a vast majority of these recommended food products have shown beneficial effects on the occurrence or development of ARC [26][27][28][29][30]55]. The guidelines also advised limiting saturated fat intake to less than 10% of daily calories, keeping cholesterol intake under 300 mg/d, and reducing trans fatty acid consumption through the use of dietary substitutes.…”