It found that Western eating patterns, which emphasise processed meat, and high-sugar items, could to age-related macular degeneration – a known cause of irreversible vision loss.
The researchers said a “threefold higher incidence of late AMD was observed among participants with a Western pattern score above, as compared with below, the median”.
They continued: “The risk of developing late AMD was decreased, but not statistically significant among participants with a Prudent (healthy) pattern score above, as compared with below the median.”
One key characteristic of the Western diet that makes it so unhealthy is the overconsumption of processed meats.