| schema:text
| - Last Updated on January 6, 2025 by Neelam Singh
Quick Take
A social media post claims that drinking a juice made from carrot, tomato, onion, and orange can remove cataracts and improve vision. We fact checked and found the claim to be Mostly False.
The Claim
A YouTube video by Nature CutChop presents a recipe using vegetables, saying that drinking this juice can help remove cataracts.
Fact Check
Can drinking juice remove cataracts?
No, drinking juice cannot remove cataracts. Cataracts are a progressive condition where the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, causing blurry vision. This is a natural part of aging, but it can also be triggered by factors such as injury, excessive UV exposure, or diseases like diabetes. Once cataracts develop, they cannot be reversed by consuming specific foods or juices. The only scientifically proven treatment for cataracts is surgery, where the cloudy lens is removed and replaced with a clear, artificial one. While a healthy diet can contribute to overall eye health, it cannot restore vision impaired by cataracts.
Dr. Sandipak Ray, MBBS, MD (Ophthalmology), explains, “No, there is currently no evidence-based method to remove cataracts naturally. Surgery remains the only effective treatment available. Home remedies and similar approaches may worsen the condition or cause delays in seeking proper treatment, potentially leading to complications.”
Can carrot, tomato, onion, and orange juice benefit eye health?
Yes, they offer several benefits for eye health, but not in the way the claim suggests. Each of the ingredients in this juice blend contains nutrients that support healthy eyes. Let’s break down the specific contributions of each ingredient:
- Carrots: Carrots are known for their high beta-carotene content, a type of vitamin A. It is crucial for maintaining good vision, especially in low-light conditions, and it helps protect the cornea. While vitamin A can help prevent certain vision problems like night blindness, it cannot remove cataracts.
- Tomatoes: Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that has been studied for its potential to reduce oxidative stress in the eyes. Oxidative stress is thought to contribute to the development of age-related eye conditions, including cataracts. While lycopene can help support overall eye health, there’s no evidence to suggest it can reverse cataract.
- Onions: Onions are packed with quercetin, a flavonoid that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These can be helpful in reducing the risk of eye conditions associated with oxidative stress, like cataracts or macular degeneration. However, while quercetin may help protect the eyes from further damage, it doesn’t have the ability to undo the damage done by cataracts.
- Oranges: Oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C, which is known for its antioxidant properties. Vitamin C plays a role in protecting the eyes from damage caused by free radicals, which can contribute to the development of cataracts. It also supports the health of the blood vessels in the eyes. But, like the other ingredients, vitamin C can’t reverse cataracts once they have formed.
While these foods do provide nutrients that contribute to eye health, they cannot cure cataracts, which require medical treatment.
Why do people believe juice can remove cataracts?
The myth likely arises from the general belief that a healthy diet can cure or prevent health issues. There is widespread awareness that antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals found in fruits and vegetables are beneficial for health, including eye health. As such, people may think that specific foods or juices can fix conditions like cataracts. The nutrients in these foods, such as antioxidants and vitamins, do play a role in protecting the eyes from damage and slowing the progression of certain eye conditions. However, the ability to reverse cataracts is beyond the power of any diet. The myth persists, possibly because of the general association between healthful eating and disease prevention, and the desire to find natural cures for common ailments.
Dr. Aditya Sethi, a Cataract, Refractive, Pediatric Ophthalmic, and Strabismus Surgeon in Gurgaon, states, “While diet and juice alone cannot prevent or reverse cataracts, it can help reduce the risk. Foods rich in antioxidants, such as fruits and vegetables, can be beneficial. Nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and beta-carotene are linked to eye health, with vitamin C being particularly noted for its antioxidant properties that may support eye health. However, maintaining a balanced diet along with regular eye check-ups is crucial for comprehensive eye care.”
What is the best treatment for cataracts?
Eye Surgeon Dr. Aftab Alam, MBBS, DO (Ophthalmology) said “Surgery is the only effective treatment for cataracts.” When cataracts begin to interfere with daily activities like reading, driving, or watching television, surgery is usually recommended. Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most commonly performed procedures worldwide. During the surgery, the cloudy lens is removed, and a clear, artificial lens is implanted. This restores the vision and is the only proven method for treating cataracts. In the early stages of cataracts, wearing corrective lenses (such as glasses or magnifiers) may help manage the symptoms, but they will not cure the condition.
Drinking carrot, tomato, onion, and orange juice may offer some eye health benefits due to their nutrient content, but they cannot remove cataracts. Cataracts are a medical condition that requires surgery for treatment. A healthy diet can certainly help protect your eyes and support overall health, but no food or juice can undo the damage caused by cataracts. For anyone experiencing cataracts, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional to discuss the best treatment options.
|
![[RDF Data]](/fct/images/sw-rdf-blue.png)
![[cxml]](/fct/images/cxml_doc.png)
![[csv]](/fct/images/csv_doc.png)
![[text]](/fct/images/ntriples_doc.png)
![[turtle]](/fct/images/n3turtle_doc.png)
![[ld+json]](/fct/images/jsonld_doc.png)
![[rdf+json]](/fct/images/json_doc.png)
![[rdf+xml]](/fct/images/xml_doc.png)
![[atom+xml]](/fct/images/atom_doc.png)
![[html]](/fct/images/html_doc.png)