In recent years, as the importance of myopia prevention and control has become increasingly evident, research into its associated factors has also become critical. Diet is a modifiable factor, and parents and schools can help prevent certain diseases by guiding adolescents in their dietary habits. The relationship between diet and myopia is gaining more attention. Our study aims to elucidate the connection between 100% fruit juice consumption and myopia, offering new avenues for myopia prevention and control. Juice is an integral part of daily dietary intake, and many adolescents and young adults prefer to consume 100% fruit juice to meet their fruit intake needs. Utilizing nationally representative data from the United States, this study is the first to identify an association between the consumption of 100% fruit juice and an increased risk of myopia.
Myopia is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors [16–17]. The underlying mechanism linking 100% fruit juice consumption to an increased risk of myopia remains unclear. One hypothesis is that 100% fruit juice may promote myopia development by elevating blood glucose levels. Since 100% fruit juice contains a significant amount of natural sugars and has a medium to high glycemic index [18], individuals consuming more 100% fruit juice might experience higher blood glucose levels.A study by Ho Sik Hwang and his team, utilizing data from the 2008–2012 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, explored this relationship. The study included 11,703 participants aged 25 to 49 years who had not undergone refractive correction or cataract surgery. Using a multivariate logistic regression model that accounted for various covariates, including age, sex, education level, daily sunlight exposure, hypertension, serum 25(OH)D levels, and serum glucose levels, the study found a significant association between higher blood glucose levels and increased risk of high myopia [19].Another NHANES study involving 6,855 Americans aged 12 to 25 years from diverse racial backgrounds found a link between fasting blood glucose levels and refractive error or myopia [20]. A follow-up study by Nina Jacobsen and colleagues on 16-26-year-old type 1 diabetes patients attending the Steno Diabetes Center in Copenhagen between 1995 and 1997 revealed that poor blood glucose control is a risk factor for myopia [21].However, research on the impact of 100% fruit juice consumption on blood glucose control yields conflicting results. A meta-analysis by Mary M. Murphy and colleagues of randomized controlled trials found a neutral effect of 100% fruit juice on blood glucose control [22]. Recently, a two-sample Mendelian randomization study found no causal relationship between fasting blood glucose and myopia [23]. Notably, this Mendelian randomization study has certain limitations: sample overlap between the study results and exposure data, and the lack of multivariable Mendelian randomization methods to adjust for confounding factors such as BMI. Therefore, the study does not definitively negate the causal relationship between fasting blood glucose and myopia.
100% fruit juice is regarded as a high-sugar, high-calorie food with adverse health effects similar to those of sugary beverages. Sugary drinks can induce insulin resistance, leading to elevated levels of insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). IGF-1 in scleral fibroblasts promotes the elongation of the eye axis, which is closely associated with the development of myopia. However, a study by Li and colleagues found no correlation between the incidence of myopia and the intake of vegetables, fruits, or sugary beverages. Notably, the pathogenesis of myopia is highly complex, and further research is required to understand the specific mechanisms by which 100% fruit juice affects myopia.
This study found a more pronounced association between 100% fruit juice consumption and increased myopia risk in males and individuals aged 12–17. Factors such as country of birth, BMI, and ethnicity may influence the relationship between 100% fruit juice consumption and myopia. The exact mechanisms behind these results remain unclear, and no related studies have been reported. Previous research has explored the impact of age and gender on myopia risk. The findings of this study suggest a novel perspective on the influence of gender on myopia risk: adolescent males may consume more 100% fruit juice and thereby face a higher risk of myopia, which requires further validation. BMI is closely linked to insulin resistance, and as 100% fruit juice is a sweet beverage, it may induce insulin resistance, ultimately contributing to myopia. Thus, BMI may indirectly influence the relationship between 100% fruit juice consumption and myopia by affecting the onset of insulin resistance.
This study utilized a large, nationally representative sample and employed covariates to adjust for confounding factors affecting myopia. All NHANES data measurements adhered to explicit guidelines and were conducted by trained professionals, ensuring data reliability. Nonetheless, this study has certain limitations: (1) Some potential confounders affecting myopia, such as diabetes, outdoor activity duration, parental myopia, and other unknown factors, were not included in our model. (2) We relied on non-cycloplegic refraction data to assess myopia, which introduces measurement error and affects the precision of our study. (3) The NHANES data from 2003–2006 may not accurately reflect current conditions. (4) This study is cross-sectional, thus it cannot establish causality between myopia and 100% fruit juice consumption. (5) NHANES data only includes myopia information for individuals aged 12 and older, limiting our ability to explore the relationship between 100% fruit juice consumption and myopia in children under 12. (6) 100% fruit juice consumption was assessed through self-reported interviews, where participants were asked to recall their food consumption patterns over the past year, potentially leading to recall bias and inaccuracies in reported consumption frequency. (7) Although the prevalence of myopia is higher among Asian populations, this study did not include an Asian category in its racial classification.Despite these limitations, to our knowledge, this is the first study to report the relationship between 100% fruit juice consumption and the risk of myopia in adolescents and young adults.
In summary, after adjusting for various confounding factors, we found an association between 100% fruit juice consumption and increased myopia risk in adolescents and young adults. Future research should involve larger sample sizes and more comprehensive investigations. Our findings are significant for guiding dietary health and myopia prevention strategies for adolescents and young adults.