Adopting a vegetarian diet may help prevent cataract formation in an individual.
This study looked at how dietary choices affect an individual's risk of developing cataracts. Researchers examined data from hospital records and dietary questionnaires completed by 4,436 Taiwanese vegetarians and non-vegetarians aged 40 years and above with no previous history of cataracts. After an average follow up period of 8 years, 476 cases of cataracts were recorded.
Researchers discovered that vegetarians, especially the overweight ones, enjoyed better protection from cataracts than non vegetarians. This study concluded that "a vegetarian diet was associated with a lower risk of cataracts, particularly in study participants with overweight."