Quick Take
A social media post calls Kiwi as the strongest fruit and claims that it can reduce eye problems and increase eyesight. We fact-checked the claim and found that it is mostly false.
The Claim
“World’s strongest fruit is Kiwi. Taking kiwi reduces eye problems and increases eyesight,” claims the post on Instagram. The post can be seen here. A screenshot is given below.
Fact Check
Can diet play a role in improving eyesight?
No. They can maintain eye health. Cannot improve it in most cases.
Observational research has shown that diet can play a role in delaying cataracts in humans. Research has further shown that Vitamin A and Vitamin E have a role in preventing Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) but as per other researches, this may not be possible always.
For many other common eye conditions – near sightedness, far-sightedness, cataracts – diet cannot improve vision.
Dietitian & Nutrition Therapist, Ranjani Raman says, “Foods that are good for eyesight are generally those that will maintain the current functioning of the eyes and vision in older adults.”
Are Kiwis good for eye health?
Yes. There are number of researches that show that Kiwis can maintain eye health or delay onset of eye diseases.
Kiwis’ high levels of zeaxanthin and lutein – two antioxidants that are popularly known for protecting your eyes. Lutein and zeaxanthin are thought to decrease the incidence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). One study found that by eating three servings of fruit a day, macular degeneration was decreased by 36 percent. However, findings have been inconsistent about the sole effect of zeaxanthin and lutein in eye health. Researchers noted that “additional studies are needed”.
Can Kiwis improve eye health?
No. There is no evidence that suggest that Kiwis can improve eye health or make a certain eye condition better.
Eye Surgeon Dr. Aftab Alam, MBBS, DO (Ophthalmology) says, “Most plant-based diets are good for maintaining eye health. But that doesn’t mean they will improve vision. There is no scientific evidence to such claims.”
Dr. Naveen Gupta, DNB (Opthalmology) says, “There is a difference between ‘good for eye health’ and ‘can improve vision’. Most people confuse between the two.”
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