In diabetic rats, L-tartaric acid reduced cataract formation by 62.5%—dropping the rate of advanced cataracts from 80% down to 30%. It worked by lowering oxidative stress and inflammation in the lens, without affecting blood sugar levels. This suggests tartaric acid could potentially help protect eyes in people with diabetes, though human studies are needed.

Researchers gave diabetic rats either L-tartaric acid or a placebo for 12 weeks, then measured cataract formation, oxidative damage markers, and inflammation levels in their eye lenses.

Funding not disclosed in abstract