Those who suffer from diabetes may want to try an alkaline diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains as a new study suggests a poor diet could lead to diabetic retinopathy.

Research published in the journal Ophthalmology indicates that African Americans who suffer from diabetes and have diets high in calories and sodium are more likely to develop diabetic retinopathy, which can often lead to loss of vision.

Researchers examined 469 African American patients with type 1 diabetes. By asking the participants to complete a food questionnaire and test their vision and blood, the scientists were able to determine what groups were most likely to develop the eye disease.

After completing a six-year follow up, the researchers determined that participants with the highest caloric intake at the beginning of the study were most susceptible to severe forms of the disease. Additionally, individuals with high levels of sodium were associated with instances of macular edema.

“In African American patients with type 1 diabetes, high caloric and sodium intakes are significant and independent risk factors for progression to severe forms of diabetic retinopathy,” the authors conclude.