A study conducted by Bursa-based Turkish Chef Ömür Akkor, the Turkish Ophthalmology Association and a pharmaceutical company is attempting to stop vision loss through meal and dessert recipes designed to promote ocular health in patients who suffer from diabetes and macular degeneration.

As a result of the one-year study, which was supported by 13 professors and three associate professors, approximately 40 recipes for main dishes, salads and desserts were compiled. A book, "Diet for a Healthy Retina," was published based on the study's findings and includes recipes that promote healthy retinas and articles detailing the expert's data and conclusions. Offering practical and basic recipes, the book underlines the importance of carotene-rich vegetables and fruits, along with sea-sourced products and olive oil.

From cherry kebab to anchovy browns

Baked tomatoes, pumpkin soup, carrot soup, spinach pastry, sardines wrapped in vine leaves, squash au gratin, carrots in oil, cherry kebab, artichoke roots with ground meat, meat and vegetable stew, broccoli soup and anchovy browns are among the recipes the book recommends for good ocular health. It also offers dessert recipes, including pineapple cake, cacao-dates balls, peanut butter with grape molasses and oatmeal with red fruit.

Chef Akkor is internationally recognized for his work in Seljuk and Ottoman Cuisine. He spoke to Anadolu Agency (AA) about the study detailing their work conducted alongside doctors from the Turkish Ophthalmology Association.

Reiterating that the retina is located near the back of the eye, Akkor said: "There are two main diseases related to sugar levels and aging. The first one is diabetes, and the other is macular degeneration, which can also result in vision loss."In particular, Akkor noted that macular degeneration is effected by eating habits: "When long-term malnutrition is accompanied by smoking, macular degeneration often occurs as a result. With this book, we tried to transform all of the negative macular degeneration scenarios caused by malnutrition into positive ones. It was supported by experts from various associations, universities and state hospitals. Professors and associate professors also contributed as experts on the topic by explaining how easy it actually is to protect retina health through a healthy diet. They teach readers about the nutrients beneficial to eye health, and we compiled recipes relative to the data they provided."

Honey or grape molasses instead of sugar

Indicating that the recipes use easy-to-find ingredients, Akkor said: "We mostly tried to prepare the recipes with olive oil, butter and a lot of greens. For desserts, on the other hand, we recommended honey or grape molasses instead of sugar. In addition, we promoted baking meals in the oven with olive oil instead of deep frying."

Akkor also stressed that pineapples, tomatoes, carrots, marine products and carotene-rich vegetables are good for retinas and should be eaten regularly. "Actually, nature offers us many healing recipes and a treasure trove of cures. The easiest way to stay healthy is through a healthy diet. These recipes are beneficial, especially for preventing diabetes and macular degeneration."

Professor Reha Ersöz, who was the head of the association at the time of the study, noted that maintaining a healthy diet plays an important role in modern medicine. "The proverb 'Bread is the staff of life' definitely has a point. A natural diet can be very interesting. Dietary supplements should only be taken when the nutrients included in the natural diet are not enough. Ophthalmologists often get questions about which nutrients are the most beneficial for eye health. This book is a great resource for answers to those questions."

Ersöz expressed his thanks to those who contributed to the study and added: "The book offers information on the role of diet in retina health. Retinas are the part of the eye most affected by diet."