How can orange peppers prevent vision deterioration?

the “zohar” orange pepper variety was bred and developed by hazera seeds company. zohar is grown primarily in the arava, sold in the israeli market and exported to various countries around the world under the brand name “sharp”. laboratory tests conducted by the company found that zohar peppers contain a high level of a carotenoid known as zeaxanthin that has a vital contribution to reducing the risk of developing a common eye disease called amd.
age-related macular degeneration (amd) is the most common cause of severe vision loss and blindness in developed countries among people over the age of 50. about one third of the population over the age of 75 suffer from amd, and in israel more than 150,000 people suffer from this disease, with 2,500 new patients added to this figure every year.
the disease causes damage to the macula, the center of vision in the retinal area that is responsible for visual acuity and color vision. consequently, a range of vital functions that depend on visual acuity are impaired, including seeing small details in a picture/photo, reading and writing, working on a computer, watching tv and driving.
comparison between normal vision and how an amd patient sees the same image

 

the antioxidant pigments belonging to the carotenoid group, lutein and zeaxanthin, accumulate in the macula and play an important role in filtering the blue light rays that are harmful to the center of vision. it was discovered that while lutein is spread throughout the macula, zeaxanthin accumulates specifically in the center of the macula, the most important area for visual acuity.
the areds-2 study found that consuming 10 mg of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin per day may reduce the risk of amd progressing significantly, by about 30% (ophthalmology. 2012 nov; 119(11): 2282–2289.). calculations conducted in europe indicate that consumption of these antioxidants by people over the age of 50 will result in annual savings of about €6.2 billion that are invested in treating amd in europe
the antioxidant pigments belonging to the carotenoid group, lutein and zeaxanthin, accumulate in the macula and play an important role in filtering the blue light rays that are harmful to the center of vision. it was discovered that while lutein is spread throughout the macula, zeaxanthin accumulates specifically in the center of the macula, the most important area for visual acuity.
the areds-2 study found that consuming 10 mg of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin per day may reduce the risk of amd progressing significantly, by about 30% (ophthalmology. 2012 nov; 119(11): 2282–2289.).

 

calculations conducted in europe indicate that consumption of these antioxidants by people over the age of 50 will result in annual savings of about €6.2 billion that are invested in treating amd in europe
furthermore, zeaxanthin has been found to provide additional health benefits, including preventing various cancers, reducing the risk of developing atherosclerosis, and having an anti-inflammatory effect. humans are unable to produce the lutein and zeaxanthin pigments on their own, and they can only be supplied to our eyes through their consumption from plant sources.
high levels of lutein are found in a variety of dark green vegetables, including spinach, kale, broccoli, and in avocados. zeaxanthin is found in large quantities in orange peppers, and in small quantities in corn, orange, papaya and mango. peppers, in a variety of colors, are available throughout the year, but the majority of consumption is of red peppers that do not contain zeaxanthin at all. therefore, it is important to consume orange peppers, which are the primary source of zeaxanthin to our eyes.

in a study, that we at hazera company conducted, of the nutritional values of various pepper varieties, we examined the zeaxanthin content of our orange pepper variety – zohar.
a comparative test of hplc for the quantification of carotenoids in this variety found that one pepper fruit of the zohar variety contains zeaxanthin at a level above 4 mg, which, according to studies, is more than twice the daily level of this pigment required to inhibit amd.
this means that eating zohar orange pepper can serve as an accessible, tasty and nutritious solution to fulfill the daily consumption requirement of zeaxanthin in order to protect our eyes.
zohar variety orange peppers are available in retail chains and grocers under the brand name of sharp with an identifying label.

 

contact us at: info@hazera.com  , +972-8-8508899

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