Macular Degeneration and Blackberries

by;Cheryl Myers

Overview

The nutrients contained in a cup of blackberries provide a significant source of vitamins known to improve eye health. The National Eye Institute recommends certain nutrients for macular degeneration, some of which you can get through food sources. This is why the institute developed a vitamin supplement called the age-related eye disease study formula, or the AREDS formula. Some of the nutrients in the formula also are provided by blackberries, but eating blackberries alone will not provide all the nutrients you need for macular degeneration.
AREDS Formulation

The formula designed by the National Eye Institute contains significant amounts of antioxidants to prevent the further degeneration of the eye cells. The formula contains 15 mg of beta-carotene, which is the equivalent to 25,000 international units of vitamin A. The supplement also contains 500 mg of vitamin C, 400 IUs of vitamin E, 80 mg of zinc and 2 mg of copper.
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Nutrients in Blackberries

Blackberries contain some of the nutrients provided in the vitamin formula developed for macular degeneration. One cup of blackberries contains 308 IU of vitamin A, 30.2 mg of vitamin C, 1.12 mg of vitamin E, and trace amounts of zinc and copper: 0.76 mg and 0.238 mg, respectively.
Comparing Vitamins

The dietary reference intake, or DRI, is lower than the amount of vitamins in the AREDS formula recommended for macular degeneration. According to the Linus Institute, the daily DRI for vitamin A is 700 to 900 mg, vitamin C 75 to 90 mg, 22 IU of vitamin E, 8 to 11 mg of zinc and 900 micrograms of copper. The lower amounts are recommended for adult females and the upper amounts for adult males. Blackberries contain high sources of vitamins A, C and E, but the National Eye Institute recommends vitamin supplements because you cannot get all of the nutrients you need for macular degeneration from natural foods or a daily multivitamin. As an example, a female would need to eat more than 35 cups of blackberries to get the amount of vitamin A provided in the AREDS formula.
Considerations

While blackberries do contain sources of nutrients that improve eye health, some nutrients work better when taken with other vitamins. In addition, you might require additional vitamins and minerals when you take certain vitamin supplements. A study published in "Archives of Ophthalmology" in 2001 suggests that zinc works better when taken with antioxidant vitamins A, C and E. The AREDS formula also contains copper to prevent copper deficiency, which can occur when taking zinc supplements.