(PreserveMacForte.com) A new kind of so-called Superyellow or Supergold sweetcorn in Australia could hold promise in protecting people from age-related macular degeneration, the primary cause of vision loss in the Western World, reported Fresh Plaza recently.

According to the article, the recently created Supergold kind of sweetcorn is loaded with zeaxanthin, a pigment that is responsible for providing corn with its traditional yellow color. As it turns out, the consumption of food with zeaxanthin has been proven to help people to reduce their odds of being diagnosed with macular degeneration.

The article cited Jeremy Story Carter, spokesman for AUSVEG, as saying that the Supergold variety of sweetcorn qualifies as a cutting-edge development for Australia’s produce sector. He explained in the article that “this new research” happens to be an “exciting development” for the sector as whole. He added in the article that zeaxanthin is particularly crucial for eye health. According to the article, the new Supergold variety of sweetcorn means that people will be able to tangibly “improve eye health” merely by consuming “half a cob.” With traditional varieties of corn, people would have to eat an unrealistically large amount to get the same benefit.

The article noted that the Superyellow variety of corn will be available in marketplaces this year. The article added that the new variety is not being set up as a replacement to the existing types of sweetcorn that are available at present. Rather, said Carter, the Superyellow variety will be an option for “health-conscious consumers” who don’t mind forking over “a little more” money.

According to research, food with zeaxanthin and other micronutrients can help to promote eye health, which in turn could reduce the odds of being diagnosed with macular degeneration. In addition, people who want to reduce their chances of getting with blindness-causing ailment should see their eye doctor annually. More regular doctor visits would be advised for those with a family history of macular degeneration.  People can talk to their medical professionals to determine how often they should book an appointment for a eye exams or eye tests. While there’s no way to eliminate the possibility of getting AMD, there are lots of things people can do to substantially improve their odds of either avoiding it or slowing down its progression.

Reference: http://www.freshplaza.com/news_detail.asp?id=105082