Researchers at Johns Hopkins University say sulforaphane, a compound found in broccoli and broccoli sprouts, protects the eye from damage caused by UV light, which can lead to macular degeneration and blindness in the elderly.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Human epithelial cells in the eyes are very sensitive to damage caused by the presence of oxidants, which are generated by exposure to light. As people age, the eye becomes less efficient at removing oxidants.
Dr. Paul Talalay demonstrated that sulforaphane and other Phase 2 enzyme inducers protect human retinal cells from photo-oxidative damage in the laboratory and that this protection increased with the amount of sulforaphane provided.
