STOP Vision Damage with this Tasty Treat
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted August 22, 2022
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
We’re told we should just expect our vision to continue to get worse as we age. “It’s just a normal part of aging,” they tell us. And most of us believe it.
At first, it’s just annoying. Fine print on menus? Forget about it. Threading a needle? Hand me that magnifying glass.
But then it gets serious. Eventually, it can cause you to hang up your car keys. Or worse, give up your independence.
You might already know that vision-supporting leafy greens and wild-caught seafood can help you fight back.
But now, researchers say there’s something else you can add to your menu to help protect your precious peepers.
A new study has uncovered a tasty treat that can help SAVE your vision.
And best of all, you may already have some stashed in your kitchen pantry.
What is this sweet solution? Cocoa.
A study published in the Journal of Functional Foods found that polyphenols are essential for maintaining good eyesight as we age, and pure cocoa is chock full of them!
Cocoa is rich in polyphenols called flavan-3-ols, as well as phenolic acids and flavanols.
It’s also a good source of theobromine (similar to caffeine), which can reduce blood pressure.
And all four of these are powerful antioxidants.
You see, your retina is the place where light from the world is turned into vision. The retina has tons of blood vessels and a high demand for oxygen, which means that the chance for oxidative damage is high.
But the polyphenols in cocoa could STOP this damage.
For the study, 37 participants took one of three treatments: a cocoa drink, a red-berry drink, or milk.
The researchers chose red-berry because it also has a good track record for protecting vision. This way, they could see if the polyphenols in cocoa were specifically effective.
After having the participants perform a battery of vision tests, they found that the cocoa group had overall better vision!
If you want to get the benefits of cocoa yourself, try an unsweetened drink blend like CocoVia, which you can find here. Drink one serving daily.
P.S. If you’re a man, you need to see this. A recent study has found that THIS common drug could DESTROY your vision. Click here to get the facts.
SOURCE: “The acute effect of cocoa and red-berries on visual acuity and cone-mediated dark adaptation in healthy eyes,” Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 81, June 2021, 104435, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2021.104435
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
The Secret Ingredient to a Longer, Happier Life
Let’s face it. We’re all in need of an attitude adjustment from time to time. After all, when you turn on the news these days, the world can seem pretty dark. That is unless you make it a practice to look for the silver linings. In fact, Harvard researchers say when you do, something quite...
Do You REALLY Need All Those Skincare Products?
I often get questions about skincare products—and here’s what I’ve learned. In today’s beauty-obsessed world, it’s easy to fall into the trap of spending hundreds every month believing you need countless products to fight aging and achieve healthy, glowing skin. However, many dermatologists argue that LESS is MORE when it comes to skincare. Simplifying your...
“Ebb and Flow” Technique TRANSFORMS Senior Brain Health
You know by now that exercise is good for you. It keeps your heart healthy, your muscles strong, and your waistline trim. But what if I told you that a trendy “ebb and flow” workout technique—often associated with young fitness enthusiasts—could actually be a game-changer for us “oldsters” when it comes to brain health? And...
Mailbag: Slash Your Risk of Bone Fractures as You Age
“My doctor recently told me that I have osteoporosis. What can I do to reduce my risk of fractures and maintain strong bones as I age?” – Margaret Hi Margaret, Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I’m sure it was a shock. Osteoporosis is a serious condition that affects millions of people, and it’s not...
Household Favorite EXPOSED as Cancer Risk?
We all want to believe that the products we use daily are safe. After all, if they weren’t, they wouldn’t be on store shelves, right? Well, I hate to break it to you, but sometimes, the truth is far more alarming than we’d like to admit. The World Health Organization (WHO) has just dropped a...
Hidden Heatwave Threat REVEALED
Heat waves can have serious consequences. After all, staying cool isn’t just a comfort issue. When the mercury soars, it threatens your health—especially when you’re a senior. There are various reasons for this, including chronic medical conditions and bodies that just don’t regulate temperature as well as they once did. But there’s another heat-linked threat...
The Hidden Threat Behind Your Achy Joints
Picture this… You’re trying to enjoy a leisurely stroll in the park, but each step sends a jolt of pain through your knee. Or maybe you’re attempting to open a stubborn jar lid, only to have your fingers refuse to cooperate, leaving you feeling frustrated and helpless. Perhaps you’re simply trying to get out of...
Parkinson's Signs You Can't Afford to Miss
Imagine waking up one day to find your body betraying you. Your hands tremble as you try to button your shirt. Your feet shuffle when you want to walk with purpose. Once strong and clear, your voice now barely reaches above a whisper. This is the reality for those living with Parkinson’s. But what if...
Do Protein Needs Drop with Age? The SURPRISING Answer
I had a patient ask me the other day if they needed as much protein now as when they were younger. After all, we aren’t quite as active as seniors compared to when we were spring chickens. It’s a good question. And the answer might surprise you… Remember when you could devour a whole pizza...
Follow Your “Gut Feeling” to Reduce Diabetes Risk
It seems like every day we learn something new about the incredible influence our gut has on our overall health. From mood to immunity, and even to how well we sleep, the community of microbes in our digestive tract is pulling the strings behind the scenes. So, it should come as no surprise that researchers...