Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Dairy products intake and the risk of incident cataracts surgery in an elderly Mediterranean population: results from the PREDIMED study

  • Original Contribution
  • Published:
European Journal of Nutrition Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Proposal

The aim of this study was to examine the association between the consumption of total and specific types of dairy products and the risk of incident cataracts in an elderly Mediterranean population at high cardiovascular risk.

Methods

We prospectively analyzed 5860 subjects from the PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea (PREDIMED) Study. The time to cataract surgery was calculated as the time between recruitment and the date of the surgery, last visit of the follow-up, date of death, or until the end of the study. Dairy products intake was assessed using validated food frequency questionnaires. We used Cox proportional hazard regression to assess the risk of cataract surgery according to average dietary energy-adjusted total dairy products, milk, yogurt and cheese consumption.

Results

We documented a total of 768 new cataract events after a median of 5.6 years of follow-up. Subjects in the second [hazard ratio (HR) 0.62; 95% CI 0.52, 0.74] and third tertile (HR: 0.71; 95% CI 0.60, 0.85) of skimmed yogurt intake had a significantly lower risk of cataracts after adjusting for potential confounders. No significant associations were observed for total dairy products, whole and skimmed milk, whole yogurt and cheese consumption.

Conclusion

The intake of skimmed yogurt was associated with a reduced risk of cataracts in an elderly Mediterranean population with high cardiovascular risk. No significant associations were observed for other type of dairy product.

Clinical Trial registration

International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN): 35739639. Registration date: 5 October 2005.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

ANOVA:

Analysis of variance

BMI:

Body mass index

CIs:

Confidence intervals

CVD:

Cardiovascular disease

FFQ:

Food-frequency questionnaire

HRs:

Hazard ratios

SDs:

Standard deviations

T2D:

Type 2 diabetes

References

  1. WHO (2016) Visual impairment and blindness. WHO. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs282/en/. Accessed 11 May 2017

  2. Acosta R, Hoffmeister L, Román R et al (2006) [Systematic review of population-based studies of the prevalence of cataracts]. Arch la Soc Española Oftalmol 81:509–516

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Thompson J, Lakhani N (2015) Cataracts. Prim Care-Clin Off Pract 42:409–423. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pop.2015.05.012

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Truscott RJW (2005) Age-related nuclear cataract-oxidation is the key. Exp Eye Res 80:709–725. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exer.2004.12.007

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Sai Varsha MKN, Raman T, Manikandan R (2014) Inhibition of diabetic-cataract by vitamin K1 involves modulation of hyperglycemia-induced alterations to lens calcium homeostasis. Exp Eye Res 128:73–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exer.2014.09.007

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Truscott RJW, Friedrich MG (2016) The etiology of human age-related cataract. Proteins don’t last forever. Biochim Biophys Acta 1860:192–198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbagen.2015.08.016

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Zhang Y, Jiang W, Xie Z et al (2015) Vitamin E and risk of age-related cataract: a meta-analysis. Public Health Nutr 18:2804–2814. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980014003115

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Wei L, Liang G, Cai C, Lv J (2016) Association of vitamin C with the risk of age-related cataract: a meta-analysis. Acta Ophthalmol 94:e170-6. https://doi.org/10.1111/aos.12688

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Wang A, Han J, Jiang Y, Zhang D (2014) Association of vitamin A and β-carotene with risk for age-related cataract: a meta-analysis. Nutrition 30:1113–1121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2014.02.025

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Pastor-Valero M (2013) Fruit and vegetable intake and vitamins C and E are associated with a reduced prevalence of cataract in a Spanish Mediterranean population. BMC Ophthalmol 13:52. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2415-13-52

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  11. Díaz-López A, Bulló M, Martínez-González MA et al (2016) Dairy product consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes in an elderly Spanish Mediterranean population at high cardiovascular risk. Eur J Nutr 55:349–360. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-015-0855-8

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Babio N, Becerra-Tomas N, Martinez-Gonzalez MA et al (2015) Consumption of yogurt, low-fat milk, and other low-fat dairy products is associated with lower risk of metabolic syndrome incidence in an elderly Mediterranean population. J Nutr 145:2308–2316. https://doi.org/10.3945/jn.115.214593

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Theodoropoulou S, Samoli E, Theodossiadis PG et al (2014) Diet and cataract: a case-control study. Int Ophthalmol 34:59–68. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-013-9795-6

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Simoons FJ (1982) A geographic approach to senile cataracts: possible links with milk consumption, lactase activity, and galactose metabolism. Dig Dis Sci 27:257–264

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Bhatnagar R, Sharma YR, Vajpayee RB et al (1989) Does milk have a cataractogenic effect? Weighing of clinical evidence. Dig Dis Sci 34:1745–1750

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Chen Y, Jiang YX, Yi L et al (2012) Excessive milk intake as a risk factor, probably associated with oxidative stress, in experimental naphthalene-initiated cataract in rats. Ophthalmic Res 47:87–97. https://doi.org/10.1159/000330504

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Birlouez-Aragon I, Ravelontseheno L, Villate-Cathelineau B et al (1993) Disturbed galactose metabolism in elderly and diabetic humans is associated with cataract formation. J Nutr 123:1370–1376

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Elosua R, Marrugat J, Molina L et al (1994) Validation of the minnesota leisure time physical activity questionnaire in Spanish men. The MARATHOM investigators. Am J Epidemiol 139:1197–1209

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Fernández-Ballart JD, Piñol JL, Zazpe I et al (2010) Relative validity of a semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire in an elderly Mediterranean population of Spain. Br J Nutr 103:1808–1816. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114509993837

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Martinez-Gonzalez MA, Corella D, Salas-Salvado J et al (2012) Cohort profile: design and methods of the PREDIMED study. Int J Epidemiol 41:377–385. https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyq250

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Mataix J (2003) Tablas de Composición de Alimentos, 4th edn. Universidad de Granada, Granada

    Google Scholar 

  22. Moreiras O, Carvajal A, Cabrera L (2005) Tablas de Composición de Alimentos [Food Composition Tables], 9th edn. Ediciones Pirámide, Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  23. Willett W, Howe G, Kushi L (1997) Adjustment for total energy intake in epidemiologic studies. Am J Clin Nutr 65:1220S–1228

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Thorning TK, Bertram HC, Bonjour J-P et al (2017) Whole dairy matrix or single nutrients in assessment of health effects: current evidence and knowledge gaps. Am J Clin Nutr 105:1033–1045. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.116.151548

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Qin L-Q, Xu J-Y, Han S-F et al (2015) Dairy consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease: an updated meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 24:90–100

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Thorning TK, Raben A, Tholstrup T et al (2016) Milk and dairy products: good or bad for human health? An assessment of the totality of scientific evidence. Food Nutr Res 60:32527. https://doi.org/10.3402/fnr.v60.32527

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Soedamah-Muthu SS, Verberne LDM, Ding EL et al (2012) Dairy consumption and incidence of hypertension: a dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Hypertens (Dallas Tex 1979) 60:1131–1137. https://doi.org/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.112.195206

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Tavani A, Negri E, La Vecchia C (1996) Food and nutrient intake and risk of cataract. Ann Epidemiol 6:41–46

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Appleby PN, Allen NE, Key TJ (2011) Diet, vegetarianism, and cataract risk. Am J Clin Nutr 93:1128–1135. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.110.004028

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Martínez-Lapiscina EH, Martínez-González M, Guillén Grima F et al (2010) Consumo de ácidos grasos e incidencia de cataratas: estudio de la cohorte Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra. Med Clin (Barc) 134:194–201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medcli.2009.09.041

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Klein BEK, Klein R, Lee KE et al (2006) Markers of inflammation, vascular endothelial dysfunction, and age-related cataract. Am J Ophthalmol 141:116–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2005.08.021

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Schaumberg DA, Ridker PM, Glynn RJ et al (1999) High levels of plasma C-reactive protein and future risk of age-related cataract. Ann Epidemiol 9:166–171

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Zemel MB, Sun X (2008) Dietary calcium and dairy products modulate oxidative and inflammatory stress in mice and humans. J Nutr 138:1047–1052

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Asemi Z, Jazayeri S, Najafi M et al (2011) Effects of daily consumption of probiotic yoghurt on inflammatory factors in pregnant women: a randomized controlled trial. Pakistan J Biol Sci PJBS 14:476–482

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Dewit O, Pochard P, Desjeux J-F (1988) Breath hydrogen concentration and plasma glucose, insulin and free fatty acid levels after lactose, milk, fresh or heated yogurt ingestion by healthy young adults with or without lactose malabsorption. Nutrition 4:131–135

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The supplemental foods used in the study were generously donated by Patrimonio Comunal Olivarero and Hojiblanca, Spain (Extra Virgen Olive Oil); the California Walnut Commission, Sacramento, California (walnuts); and Borges SA (almonds) and La Morella Nuts (hazelnuts), both from Reus, Spain. The PREDIMED trial was supported by the oficial funding agency for biomedical research of the Spanish government (Instituto de Salud Carlos III) through grants provided to research networks specifically developed for the trial: RTIC G03/140 and RTIC RD 06/0045. Lucía Camacho-Barcia is the recipient of a pre-doctoral fellowship from the Generalitat de Catalunya’s Department of Universities (FI-DGR 2017). All investigators of the PREDIMED trial belong to ‘Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red’ (CIBER), an initiative of Instituto de Salud Carlos III.

Funding

The funding sources had no role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; and decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Nutrition Unit, Biochemistry and Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Sant Joan de Reus, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, St/Sant Llorenç 21, 43201, Reus, Spain

    Lucía Camacho-Barcia, Mònica Bulló, Jesús F. García-Gavilán, Josep Basora & Jordi Salas-Salvadó

  2. CIBERobn Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain

    Lucía Camacho-Barcia, Mònica Bulló, Jesús F. García-Gavilán, Miguel A. Martínez-González, Dolores Corella, Ramón Estruch, Montse Fitó, Enrique Gómez-Gracia, Fernando Arós, Miquel Fiol, José M. Santos-Lozano, Lluís Serra-Majem, Xavier Pintó, Estefanía Toledo, Miguel A. Muñoz, Alfredo García-Layana & Jordi Salas-Salvadó

  3. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Medical School, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain

    Miguel A. Martínez-González

  4. Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain

    Dolores Corella & Vicente Zanon-Moreno

  5. Department of Internal Medicine, August Pi i Sunyer Institute of Biomedical Research (IDIBAPS), Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    Ramón Estruch

  6. Cardiovascular Risk and Nutrition, Regicor Study Group, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, Barcelona, Spain

    Montse Fitó

  7. Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Malaga, Malaga, Spain

    Enrique Gómez-Gracia

  8. Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Araba, Vitoria, Spain

    Fernando Arós

  9. Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Son Dureta, Palma de Mallorca, Spain

    Miquel Fiol

  10. Department of Family Medicine, San Pablo Health Center, Sevilla, Spain

    José M. Santos-Lozano

  11. Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain

    Lluís Serra-Majem

  12. Lipids and Vascular Risk Unit, Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain

    Xavier Pintó

  13. Emergency Department, Navarra’s Hospital Complex, National Health Service-Osasunbidea, Pamplona, Spain

    Estefanía Toledo

  14. Primary Health Care Division, Institut Català de la Salut and Idiap-Jordi Gol, Barcelona, Spain

    Miguel A. Muñoz

  15. Ophthalmic Research Unit “Santiago Grisolía” Valencia, Valencia, Spain

    Vicente Zanon-Moreno

  16. Red Temática de Patología Ocular OFTARED, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain

    Vicente Zanon-Moreno

  17. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain

    Alfredo García-Layana

Authors
  1. Lucía Camacho-Barcia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mònica Bulló
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jesús F. García-Gavilán
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Miguel A. Martínez-González
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Dolores Corella
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Ramón Estruch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Montse Fitó
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Enrique Gómez-Gracia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Fernando Arós
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Miquel Fiol
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. José M. Santos-Lozano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  12. Lluís Serra-Majem
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  13. Xavier Pintó
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  14. Josep Basora
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  15. Estefanía Toledo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  16. Miguel A. Muñoz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  17. Vicente Zanon-Moreno
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  18. Alfredo García-Layana
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  19. Jordi Salas-Salvadó
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

MB had full access to all the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis. MB, MAMG, DC, RE, MF, EGG, FA, MF, JMSL, LSM, XP, JB, ET, MAM, VZM, JSS: contributed to the conception, design, and implementation of the project; AGL: was a member of the outcome adjudication committee; LCB, MB, JFGG contributed to data collection and analytical procedures; LCB and MB: conducted the statistical analysis, interpreted data, and wrote the manuscript; and all authors: read and approved the final version of the manuscript. We thank all the participants in the trial for their enthusiastic and continuous collaboration.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Mònica Bulló or Jordi Salas-Salvadó.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

JS-S reports personal fees from Nuts for Life, other from Nut and Dried Fruit Foundation, other from Nut and Dried Fruit Foundation, during the conduct of the study; personal fees from Danone S.A., personal fees from Font Vella Lanjaron, personal fees from Eroski Distributors and personal fees from Instituto Danone, outside the submitted work. None of the other authors had a personal or financial conflict of interest.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (DOCX 30 KB)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Camacho-Barcia, L., Bulló, M., García-Gavilán, J.F. et al. Dairy products intake and the risk of incident cataracts surgery in an elderly Mediterranean population: results from the PREDIMED study. Eur J Nutr 58, 619–627 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-018-1647-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-018-1647-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation