In order to help control blood sugar, some individuals are mindful of their food's glycemic index (GI). New research suggests that such information may also be useful to those who are trying to protect their vision from the effects of aging.

GI is a measure of how quickly food breaks down and delivers glucose to the body. It is easier for the body to process energy from food with a low GI measurement, meaning that glucose enters the bloodstream more slowly. Food with high GI scores include white bread and white potatoes, while whole grains, fruits and vegetables have lower GI scores, according to scientists from Tufts University.

The researchers conducted a study in mice in order to investigate the relationship between dietary GI and the negative effects of aging on the eyes. The subjects were divided into two groups, differing in diet quality.

Results showed that the mice that were fed a diet of low GI foods had healthier retinas, as published in the October issue of the journal Aging Cell. This may be because lower levels of glucose boost the performance of different cell pathways responsible for protein processing.

This experiment supports previous findings observed in epidemiological studies in humans, the researchers said.